When I first received the book, it was hard for me to begin reading it for many reasons. Knowing what the Japanese has done to the Chinese, Korean and Russian before/during WWII, I did not know if I would have any sympathies for the reverse position. Tei was fleeing from Manchuria where the Japanese would immigrate to get a higher social or financial status, also Manchuria was where all the "research experiments" took place (Unit 731). WWII lasted six years why would she settle and have three children in a place where three countries were constantly fighting over. However, I understand that this is more about a journey how a normal civilian or more importantly a mother taking her three young children from Manchuria back to Japan after the war.

Yes, I know she has been through a lot to get back to her home town especially with the children without a husband or much money did not make it easier, but she was quite lucky compare to the other refugees. .The Japanese Association was giving out free rice per person for ten months and free medical exams, and she got to stay in Sensen for a year instead of moving from places to places. Some people helped her with the children and lent her money for oxen chart during the hikiage. She did not have to leave Keijo or Giseifu so soon though, she could have let her feet heal and the diarrhea to go away first.

I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would have. I like how the memoir is greatly separated by chapters and get to the point without any drags. Also, the map Tei provided was very helpful. I wish the readers would get to know more about what had happened to the husband after he was taken away and the other people from the dan at the end.

Thank you, Nana V. Mizushima, for translating and introducing this memoir to the English readers.

4 out of 5 stars

Received a free copy through Goodreads First Read program in exchange for an honest review. ( )

ei, A Memoir of The End of War and the Beginning of Peace by Tei Fujiwara is the true story of a woman’s harrowing journey with her three children over sixty years ago. She wrote this book as a gift to her children and as an apology of her stern behavior towards them that enabled them to survive the trek. Ms. Mizushima translated this book with the help of her mother to share this story with the world. The world needs to have this story of courage, endurance and strength.

The story starts on August 9, 1945, when the Japanese were fleeing the Soviet invasion of Korea. Mostly women and children were suddenly hustled off on trains while the men stayed behind later to go to Siberia forced labor camps. Tei held hands with her older son, had her younger son on her back and her infant daughter attached papoose style while she carried what little clothes, money and food that she could.

She was a mother and housewife largely dependent on her husband for decisions before she began her journey. Before she left, her husband told her that he held her responsible for the lives of her three children. That was her mission, to keep her family alive. That involved tremendous acts of courage, stamina and belief that she would make it to the ships to go to Japan. This is an intensely emotional account of the challenges of hunger, fatigue and disease and unkindness of others. She had to learn to be self-reliant, be clever, and wise all at once.

Once you start read about her very long journey, it will be very difficult to set this book aside. This is an extraordinary story of survival and resourcefulness. Not only does she tell the story of herself and her children but the stories of the Russians, Japanese and Koreans. This is a memoir that you will never forget.

I received this book from the publishers as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced the thoughts or feelings in my review. ( )