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The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood
For fans of Stephanie Foo’s What My Bones Know, a memoir of a middle-aged Japanese immigrant mother’s struggle to raise her teenage son and save her marriage when she finds herself triggered by memories of her own childhood trauma as he enters adolescence.
At age twenty-two, Shigeko Ito immigrated to America to escape Japan’s rigid society and a neglectful childhood home that landed her in a mental hospital at seventeen. She thrived in her new, healthier environment and thought her traumatic past was all behind her.
Until it wasn’t.
Motherhood, she realized, was far more challenging than she could have ever imagined. But it was her son’s high school years that proved to be particularly daunting, and that was when her past reemerged—in the form of intense flashbacks to her childhood trauma and tumultuous teenage years. With the stream of daily stresses compounded by menopausal irritability, Shigeko often found herself regressing into a bunker-like mentality with childish coping mechanisms, a pattern that threatened to undo her most prized her happy family.
In The Pond Beyond the Forest, Shigeko faces her past head-on, taking the reader along on her quest to uncover the root causes of her lifelong struggles—a journey that leads to deeper self-awareness, understanding, and acceptance, and ultimately saves her family and marriage.
At age twenty-two, Shigeko Ito immigrated to America to escape Japan’s rigid society and a neglectful childhood home that landed her in a mental hospital at seventeen. She thrived in her new, healthier environment and thought her traumatic past was all behind her.
Until it wasn’t.
Motherhood, she realized, was far more challenging than she could have ever imagined. But it was her son’s high school years that proved to be particularly daunting, and that was when her past reemerged—in the form of intense flashbacks to her childhood trauma and tumultuous teenage years. With the stream of daily stresses compounded by menopausal irritability, Shigeko often found herself regressing into a bunker-like mentality with childish coping mechanisms, a pattern that threatened to undo her most prized her happy family.
In The Pond Beyond the Forest, Shigeko faces her past head-on, taking the reader along on her quest to uncover the root causes of her lifelong struggles—a journey that leads to deeper self-awareness, understanding, and acceptance, and ultimately saves her family and marriage.
- GenresMemoir
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
12 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 23, 2025
Shigeko Ito grew up in a neglectful home in Japan. Her mother was narcissistic and cared more about her appearance and shopping habit than raising children. Her father was a workaholic and rarely home. As a 16-year-old exchange student, Shigeko experiences a functional family in Napa, California, and forms a strong bond with her exchange mother, Joanne. After receiving a foundation in the US, Shigeko returns for college at Stanford, meets her husband Peter, and soon starts a family. However, Shigeko's traumatic past affects her ability to connect with her family and raise her teenage son. In trying not to repeat her parents' mistakes, Shigeko realizes her mindset has regressed to her childhood.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is an honest and emotional memoir. Shigeko's emotional journey through highs, lows, and deeply personal moments is told with an astonishingly open and direct manner, even the parts that cast her in a negative light. At times, I almost forgot that I was reading a memoir and not fiction. The chapters alternate between Shigeko's childhood and adulthood, showing the correlation between her experiences growing up and the decisions she made as a wife and mother. Shigeko's parents' hands-off attitude clearly contributed to her being overly involved in her son's life. Shigeko's institutionalization in a mental health unit was also insightful. While she desperately needed help, the hospital made some questionable choices that led to more trauma. Conversely, the hospital stay also allowed Shigeko to relax away from her parents and find the root cause of her distress. After sharing everything she went through with her parents, husband, and sons, I was amazed that Shigeko emerged ready to rebuild, grow, and fix relationships. Ultimately, a transformative story of trauma, growth, and acceptance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is an honest and emotional memoir. Shigeko's emotional journey through highs, lows, and deeply personal moments is told with an astonishingly open and direct manner, even the parts that cast her in a negative light. At times, I almost forgot that I was reading a memoir and not fiction. The chapters alternate between Shigeko's childhood and adulthood, showing the correlation between her experiences growing up and the decisions she made as a wife and mother. Shigeko's parents' hands-off attitude clearly contributed to her being overly involved in her son's life. Shigeko's institutionalization in a mental health unit was also insightful. While she desperately needed help, the hospital made some questionable choices that led to more trauma. Conversely, the hospital stay also allowed Shigeko to relax away from her parents and find the root cause of her distress. After sharing everything she went through with her parents, husband, and sons, I was amazed that Shigeko emerged ready to rebuild, grow, and fix relationships. Ultimately, a transformative story of trauma, growth, and acceptance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
November 10, 2025
The Pond Beyond the Forest is a beautifully written and deeply introspective memoir that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Shigeko invites readers into a profoundly honest journey through childhood trauma, cultural transition, and emotional healing. From her early years in Japan to her life as a wife and mother in America, she offers a rare and courageous portrait of resilience in the face of pain.
What makes this memoir exceptional is its quiet strength, Shigeko writes with both vulnerability and grace, turning personal hardship into universal truth. Her reflections on identity, motherhood, and the complexity of healing are woven with moments of gentle humor and piercing self-awareness.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to grow beyond suffering and find peace in understanding. Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and beautifully written, this is a book that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever faced loss, self-discovery, or the search for belonging.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate honest memoirs, emotional depth, and stories that illuminate the quiet courage of everyday life.
What makes this memoir exceptional is its quiet strength, Shigeko writes with both vulnerability and grace, turning personal hardship into universal truth. Her reflections on identity, motherhood, and the complexity of healing are woven with moments of gentle humor and piercing self-awareness.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to grow beyond suffering and find peace in understanding. Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and beautifully written, this is a book that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever faced loss, self-discovery, or the search for belonging.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate honest memoirs, emotional depth, and stories that illuminate the quiet courage of everyday life.
November 3, 2025
“I learned that if I operate from a place of love and compassionate instead of ego, things can’t go too wrong.”
Memoirs always feel so raw to me. I often feel as if I’m peeking inside the window to someone else’s soul. And in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 the author does just that. She lays it all bare, from her trauma inducing childhood in Japan to her mental health struggles to the struggles in her marriage and with motherhood. And I applaud that level of vulnerability.
I found her story fascinating in all aspects, especially with the cultural struggle between her Japanese heritage and trying to raise an American born son. You can really see the growth she has made and the work she put in in order to improve her familial relationships, both here and in Japan.
There are also portions that I legit laughed out loud. The author is so blunt at times it’s like 😳🤣 but also so refreshing. I, too, say things that make people go 😱 and I think we should all be a little more honest in our lives. Thank you, @shigekochakoito, for telling us your story.
Thank you also to @tlcbooktours and @chsummie for the gifted book.
Memoirs always feel so raw to me. I often feel as if I’m peeking inside the window to someone else’s soul. And in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 the author does just that. She lays it all bare, from her trauma inducing childhood in Japan to her mental health struggles to the struggles in her marriage and with motherhood. And I applaud that level of vulnerability.
I found her story fascinating in all aspects, especially with the cultural struggle between her Japanese heritage and trying to raise an American born son. You can really see the growth she has made and the work she put in in order to improve her familial relationships, both here and in Japan.
There are also portions that I legit laughed out loud. The author is so blunt at times it’s like 😳🤣 but also so refreshing. I, too, say things that make people go 😱 and I think we should all be a little more honest in our lives. Thank you, @shigekochakoito, for telling us your story.
Thank you also to @tlcbooktours and @chsummie for the gifted book.
November 10, 2025
Shigeko, The Pond Beyond the Forest is a deeply moving and profoundly honest memoir that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Through tender reflection and courageous self-examination, Shigeko shares her journey from a challenging childhood in Japan to her life as a mother and wife in America.
What makes this book so compelling is the author’s ability to translate personal pain into universal truth. Her story is not only about trauma, but about endurance, how one learns to live, love, and find meaning beyond the shadow of the past. With lyrical prose and moments of quiet humor, Shigeko invites readers to witness a life shaped by resilience and healing.
For anyone who has ever faced the weight of emotional scars or sought strength through reflection, The Pond Beyond the Forest offers a message of hope and renewal. It is a beautifully written, deeply human work that reminds us that even in our most vulnerable moments, the possibility of peace and understanding is always within reach.
What makes this book so compelling is the author’s ability to translate personal pain into universal truth. Her story is not only about trauma, but about endurance, how one learns to live, love, and find meaning beyond the shadow of the past. With lyrical prose and moments of quiet humor, Shigeko invites readers to witness a life shaped by resilience and healing.
For anyone who has ever faced the weight of emotional scars or sought strength through reflection, The Pond Beyond the Forest offers a message of hope and renewal. It is a beautifully written, deeply human work that reminds us that even in our most vulnerable moments, the possibility of peace and understanding is always within reach.
November 11, 2025
Shigeko, The Pond Beyond the Forest is a beautifully written and deeply emotional memoir that lingers in the heart long after the last page. Through her honest and intimate storytelling, Shigeko invites readers into a journey that bridges two worlds, her early life in Japan and her later years as a mother and wife in America.
What makes this memoir so powerful is its quiet courage. Shigeko doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of childhood trauma, yet she transforms it into a story of healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Her reflections are full of humanity and grace, reminding us that even in the face of hardship, there is always hope and the possibility of renewal.
Readers who appreciate beautifully crafted, soul-stirring memoirs will find The Pond Beyond the Forest an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a story, it’s an invitation to reflect on our own journeys, to find peace in forgiveness, and to believe in the strength of the human spirit.
⭐ A must-read for anyone seeking a memoir that inspires, heals, and uplifts.
What makes this memoir so powerful is its quiet courage. Shigeko doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of childhood trauma, yet she transforms it into a story of healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Her reflections are full of humanity and grace, reminding us that even in the face of hardship, there is always hope and the possibility of renewal.
Readers who appreciate beautifully crafted, soul-stirring memoirs will find The Pond Beyond the Forest an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a story, it’s an invitation to reflect on our own journeys, to find peace in forgiveness, and to believe in the strength of the human spirit.
⭐ A must-read for anyone seeking a memoir that inspires, heals, and uplifts.
June 30, 2025
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Pond Beyond the Forest
by Shigeko Ito
The Pond Beyond the Forest is a deeply personal account of Shigeko Itos struggle to successfully parent and connect with her teenage son, as he has reached an age that is terribly triggering her CPTSD due to the trauma and neglect she experienced in her own childhood.
I related to Shigeko in SO many ways. We are both stay at home moms struggling to re-parent ourselves in an effort to break the cycle of childhood trauma. We both suffer from anxiety and chronic pain, and find our pet dogs more cathartic than most human interaction.
I truly appreciated her raw honesty, and personal reflection about some of the most intimate parts of her life. I also greatly enjoyed learning about Japanese culture and family traditions.
This was a solid book and I would recommend it to anyone who feels they may relate to the struggles of parenting through trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley for my DRC of this lovely memoir 💜
The Pond Beyond the Forest
by Shigeko Ito
The Pond Beyond the Forest is a deeply personal account of Shigeko Itos struggle to successfully parent and connect with her teenage son, as he has reached an age that is terribly triggering her CPTSD due to the trauma and neglect she experienced in her own childhood.
I related to Shigeko in SO many ways. We are both stay at home moms struggling to re-parent ourselves in an effort to break the cycle of childhood trauma. We both suffer from anxiety and chronic pain, and find our pet dogs more cathartic than most human interaction.
I truly appreciated her raw honesty, and personal reflection about some of the most intimate parts of her life. I also greatly enjoyed learning about Japanese culture and family traditions.
This was a solid book and I would recommend it to anyone who feels they may relate to the struggles of parenting through trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley for my DRC of this lovely memoir 💜
November 14, 2025
"The Pond Beyond the Forest" is an honest and brave memoir. From the beginning, readers learn the meaning of the term "barabara" which in Japanese means scattered/disconnected, as it sadly applies to the vast distance between family members from Shikego's childhood. Neglect is an invisible form of abuse. Later she struggles with symptoms stemming from this lack of emotional support and gets labeled as "crazy" and put in an institution. Her life turns around after Skigeko does a study abroad landing in a loving American home where the contrast of care and attention couldn't be more diametrically opposed to the home life she grew up in. Finding her way into consciously creating her own family unit as a wife and mother is the redemptive journey of this engaging memoir. In addition, the cross-cultural references and descriptions, for example of a traditional Japanese funeral service, are interesting and wonderfully rendered throughout.
November 10, 2025
The Pond Beyond the Forest is a beautifully written and profoundly honest memoir that lingers long after the final page. Shigeko takes readers on an emotional journey from her childhood in Japan to her life as a mother and wife in America, weaving together themes of identity, healing, and resilience with remarkable grace.
What sets this memoir apart is its quiet strength and unflinching truth. Shigeko writes with clarity and compassion about the lasting effects of childhood trauma and the courage it takes to face the past while building a future filled with love and understanding. Her reflections are deeply human, touching on the universal struggle to reconcile who we were with who we become.
Poetic, raw, and deeply moving, The Pond Beyond the Forest is not just a story of survival, it’s a testament to the transformative power of self-discovery and forgiveness. Readers looking for a memoir that speaks to the heart and illuminates the resilience of the human spirit will find this book unforgettable.
What sets this memoir apart is its quiet strength and unflinching truth. Shigeko writes with clarity and compassion about the lasting effects of childhood trauma and the courage it takes to face the past while building a future filled with love and understanding. Her reflections are deeply human, touching on the universal struggle to reconcile who we were with who we become.
Poetic, raw, and deeply moving, The Pond Beyond the Forest is not just a story of survival, it’s a testament to the transformative power of self-discovery and forgiveness. Readers looking for a memoir that speaks to the heart and illuminates the resilience of the human spirit will find this book unforgettable.
January 2, 2026
An honest and moving memoir of childhood trauma and its lingering impact on the author's relationships with her husband and son. Depictions of growing up in Japan with distant, neglectful parents who left her with surrogate caregivers or, more often, alone, contrast sharply with her experience living with a loving American family. The cold home environment and the decision to send their daughter to a mental health hospital after she returns to Japan from the United States with new notions of what she wants for herself, leave the narrator unprepared and unschooled on how to raise a child, maintain a loving relationship with her husband, and thrive.
October 25, 2025
After a childhood of feeling invisible, and continuing isolation from her birth family in Japan, the author breaks through after almost losing her relationship with her son and her husband. Entering menopause, she regresses into behaviors from her traumatic past until she faces the root causes of her lifelong struggles. I found myself rooting for her in her difficult journey, and I was inspired by her triumphant breakthrough at last to understanding and self-acceptance. Bravo! A very worthwhile read.
November 10, 2025
The Pond Beyond the Forest is a profoundly moving memoir that resonates with honesty, courage, and emotional depth. Shigeko masterfully recounts the lasting effects of childhood trauma while exploring the complexities of adulthood and the journey toward healing.
From her upbringing in Japan to her experiences as a mother and wife in America, Shigeko offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a life shaped by resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaning. Her narrative is both heartfelt and insightful, interweaving moments of quiet humor with reflections that linger long after the last page.
This memoir is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and understanding. Readers seeking a deeply personal, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring story will find The Pond Beyond the Forest impossible to put down.
From her upbringing in Japan to her experiences as a mother and wife in America, Shigeko offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a life shaped by resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaning. Her narrative is both heartfelt and insightful, interweaving moments of quiet humor with reflections that linger long after the last page.
This memoir is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and understanding. Readers seeking a deeply personal, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring story will find The Pond Beyond the Forest impossible to put down.
November 15, 2025
Ito's The Pond Beyond the Forest is a compelling account of the lasting effects of childhood emotional neglect. Ito writes with honesty, humor and insight about her marriage and parenting challenges as she struggles -- and ultimately succeeds -- to heal the wounds of her past.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews