I wanted to love "In the Garden Behind the Moon" after reading the incredible First Look, but this memoir missed the mark for me overall.
At the core of this story is the author's journey of navigating grief after the death of her parents. The memories she presented of her aging parents combined with the myths and mythology were beautifully written. I loved how she seamlessly combined both past and present and centered the story around the Chinese zodiac system.
However, there were times when this book seemed to drag on a little bit too much, and the same ideas were repeated over and over. After the first chapter, the book takes on a storytelling-type prose, which helps with the pacing.
I also loved that my book included photos and brush paintings that added an ambiance and realisticness to this memoir. It was a great reminder that these people actually existed, and I commend the author for being brave enough to birth this story into the world.
At the core of this story is the author's journey of navigating grief after the death of her parents. The memories she presented of her aging parents combined with the myths and mythology were beautifully written. I loved how she seamlessly combined both past and present and centered the story around the Chinese zodiac system.
However, there were times when this book seemed to drag on a little bit too much, and the same ideas were repeated over and over. After the first chapter, the book takes on a storytelling-type prose, which helps with the pacing.
I also loved that my book included photos and brush paintings that added an ambiance and realisticness to this memoir. It was a great reminder that these people actually existed, and I commend the author for being brave enough to birth this story into the world.