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Reviewed by Richard Prause for Readers' Favorite
The Pond Beyond the Forest by Shigeko Ito is a heartfelt memoir depicting the lasting effects of childhood trauma and neglect on adult survivors. At 22, Ito fled Japan's strict society and her abusive family life to America. Her adolescent years and family life in Japan were fraught with years of tension and identity crisis, substantially affecting Ito in ways she would slowly discover years later in her adult life. Having emigrated to America, Ito's harrowing past appeared to be behind her. She eagerly adjusted to her new life. But her journey into motherhood with a temperamental teen son unexpectedly exposed specific childhood traumas that she thought she had overcome in her past. Ito's unresolved attachment issues would go on to create a variety of challenges for her, such as mental health issues, marital discord, and parenting difficulties. Can she confront her painful past in Japan and unite her family life in America?
Shigeko Ito's The Pond Beyond the Forest is an evocative exploration of childhood trauma, married life, motherhood, and mental health issues. It is the author's sincere attempt to embrace her path toward greater self-awareness while identifying the underlying causes of her life's challenges. She incorporates a lot of honesty, heart, and humor into the reflections of her childhood and adult experiences. She skillfully pivots back and forth from her upbringing in Japan, riddled with emotionally detached family members, to her life as a mother and wife in America. Readers who have dealt with unresolved childhood trauma—or who are currently working through it—will find resonance, hope, and inspiration in this intriguing memoir. I highly recommend it. Fans of similar narratives like To Be Loved (by Frank G. Anderson) and Trauma Bonded (by Sarah Westbrook) will undoubtedly enjoy reading this book.
