In 'The Woman Who Could Not Forget', Ying-Ying Chang tells the riveting story of a Chinese woman's extraordinary life marked by trauma, resilience, and the haunting effects of memory. After enduring the Japanese occupation of her homeland during World War II, she struggles to reconcile her painful past with her desire for a peaceful future. Through her vivid recollections, we are drawn into a world of love, loss, and the fight for identity amidst chaos. As the narrative unfolds, we witness the intertwining of personal and historical narratives, prompting readers to ponder the lasting impacts of war on the human psyche. This captivating memoir invites us to explore the depths of memory - what we hold onto, what we forget, and how it shapes who we are.
By Ying-Ying Chang
Published: 2012
"Memory is a bridge connecting the past and present; through it, we find our identity and the strength to forgive."
A devastatingly powerful book about the loss to madness not only of a daughter, a wife and a mother, but of a promising young historian and author. You must read this. -Recommended by Jeff, City Lights Books Iris Chang's best-selling book The Rape of Nanking forever changed the way we view the Second World War in Asia. It all began with a photo of a river choked with the bodies of hundreds of Chinese civilians that shook Iris to her core. Who were these people? Why had this happened and how could their story have been lost to history? She could not shake that image from her head. She could not forget what she had seen.A few short years later, Chang revealed this "second Holocaust" to the world. The Japanese atrocities against the people of Nanking were so extreme that a Nazi party leader based in China actually petitioned Hitler to ask the Japanese government to stop the massacre. But who was this woman that single-handedly swept away years of silence, secrecy and shame? Her mother, Ying-Ying, provides an enlightened and nuanced look at her daughter, from Iris' home-made childhood newspaper, to her early years as a journalist and later, as a promising young historian, her struggles with her son's autism and her tragic suicide. The Woman Who Could Not Forget cements Iris' legacy as one of the most extraordinary minds of her generation and reveals the depth and beauty of the bond between a mother and daughter
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“Memory is a bridge connecting the past and present; through it, we find our identity and the strength to forgive.”
The Woman Who Could Not Forget
By Ying-Ying Chang
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Ying-Ying Chang is an acclaimed author known for her evocative storytelling and rich explorations of cultural identity. Her notable works include 'Beneath a Moonless Sky' and 'The Choice,' which reflect her unique perspective as an immigrant and delve into the complexities of family, tradition, and the search for belonging. Chang's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, drawing readers into the intricate lives of her characters. With each narrative, she weaves a tapestry of experiences that highlight the beauty and challenges of navigating two worlds.
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