As always, I come away from reading your writing with so many thoughts! I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life largely sheltered from war, but growing up and now living in Cambodia I see the lingering effects of recent conflicts acutely on a daily basis. As an American citizen growing up here, it’s been interesting to learn about and navigate the difficult history of US involvement in the region and the ensuing instability. Learning the history of both “sides” of this story has been so insightful, and I agree that more than anything, personal accounts from those living during this time tend to stick with me much deeper than only history textbooks. Learning from voices around the world is so important and I’m so glad you’re drawing our attention to voices I might never otherwise hear!
Also, I’m halfway through reading Taiwan Travelogue (per your recommendation) and am loving it so far and learning so much. I don’t yet know what the ending holds but I can’t wait to finish it soon 🙂
thank you so much for reading, arley! I'm so happy to hear that you've been enjoying the book!! and thank you for sharing about your experience — I'm looking forward to hearing and learning more about Cambodia and your experiences there. I'm realizing that lingering effects of conflicts, as you say, are everywhere around us, if we are able to pay attention, as you are. please let me know how you find the ending when you finish Taiwan Travelogue :)
So thought-provoking! I grew up in Japan around Japanese people who expressed deep remorse about Japan’s power and actions across Asia leading up to WWII. At the same time, my early education had a very Western-centric worldview—so I’ve ended up with this strange gap in my understanding of Japan’s colonization. A few years ago, I read Pachinko and found it incredibly moving, and I really appreciate this book recommendation as a way to further nuance my understanding of Japan’s relationship with Taiwan. It’s going to be my next read!
thank you for sharing, emmy! I also definitely relate with the experience of growing up with a multi-perspective education that does unfortunately leave some gaps here and there... I suppose we can then fill those gaps later on in our adulthood with well selected books :)) so looking forward to hearing about how you find the book!!
I loved your use of "WWII History Buff™"; that made me chuckle. Am I allowed to say that my Roman Empire is rearranging the furniture in my house?? I don't think there are any historical moments that really take up a lot of my thought life.
As always, I come away from reading your writing with so many thoughts! I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life largely sheltered from war, but growing up and now living in Cambodia I see the lingering effects of recent conflicts acutely on a daily basis. As an American citizen growing up here, it’s been interesting to learn about and navigate the difficult history of US involvement in the region and the ensuing instability. Learning the history of both “sides” of this story has been so insightful, and I agree that more than anything, personal accounts from those living during this time tend to stick with me much deeper than only history textbooks. Learning from voices around the world is so important and I’m so glad you’re drawing our attention to voices I might never otherwise hear!
Also, I’m halfway through reading Taiwan Travelogue (per your recommendation) and am loving it so far and learning so much. I don’t yet know what the ending holds but I can’t wait to finish it soon 🙂
thank you so much for reading, arley! I'm so happy to hear that you've been enjoying the book!! and thank you for sharing about your experience — I'm looking forward to hearing and learning more about Cambodia and your experiences there. I'm realizing that lingering effects of conflicts, as you say, are everywhere around us, if we are able to pay attention, as you are. please let me know how you find the ending when you finish Taiwan Travelogue :)
So thought-provoking! I grew up in Japan around Japanese people who expressed deep remorse about Japan’s power and actions across Asia leading up to WWII. At the same time, my early education had a very Western-centric worldview—so I’ve ended up with this strange gap in my understanding of Japan’s colonization. A few years ago, I read Pachinko and found it incredibly moving, and I really appreciate this book recommendation as a way to further nuance my understanding of Japan’s relationship with Taiwan. It’s going to be my next read!
thank you for sharing, emmy! I also definitely relate with the experience of growing up with a multi-perspective education that does unfortunately leave some gaps here and there... I suppose we can then fill those gaps later on in our adulthood with well selected books :)) so looking forward to hearing about how you find the book!!
I loved your use of "WWII History Buff™"; that made me chuckle. Am I allowed to say that my Roman Empire is rearranging the furniture in my house?? I don't think there are any historical moments that really take up a lot of my thought life.
Taiwan Travelogue is on hold at my library!
😂😂😂 Furniture rearranging can absolutely be a Roman Empire…. maybe the effect of spatial design on our daily lives? something like that?!
ahhh so excited for you to read!!!