This was a tough book for me to get into, I started it twice. I decided to hang on and see where it brought me, but somehow there was just a disconnect. There is a lot happening all over. I am giving it three stars because even though I couldn't get into it, parts were beautiful. My apologies to the author. I loved the cover. I thank NetGalley and Flashpoint for the advance read.

In the Year of the Ram, Alexandra Chan's belief in having life figured out crumbles with the death of her father, her last parent, an event seemingly foretold in Chinese mythology.

An enriching experience for the heart, soul, and mind! Alexandra Chan's remarkable personal book intertwines layers of narrative and meaning, offering every reader a multitude of connections. Through her storytelling, she entertains, inspires, and prompts self-exploration of one's history and inner and outer lives. With her eloquent words, vivid imagery, and skillful illustrative Chinese brush paintings, this book becomes a sensory and emotional feast, inviting you to discover magic in your own life and form more meaningful connections with yourself and the world. A wonderful journey! Gratitude to Netgalley and Flashpoint for this beautifully crafted and illustrated eArc.

A beautiful story of being an Asian in a world that discriminates. A literary story that touches your heart and leaves you utterly emotional.

(Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Copy)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the Garden Behind the Moon
*”Parents should never die!”*
In the Garden Behind the Moon is a heartfelt & hear breaking memoir about love, grief, and finding the courage to overcome.
This book made me cry, feel joy, laugh, and encouragement working through the grief of losing parents. It made me question how we as parents can prepare our children for our passing? Is that something that is possible so that our children re not left feeling the void of our absence.
My soul screamed with Alexandra as she found her peace and worked through her grief.
A truly beautiful story.

The title, "In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic," instantly captivated me. As someone who enjoys exploring themes of memory, self-discovery, and the intangible, I thought it would be right up my alley. After receiving an ARC and delving into the first few chapters, I discovered the book wasn't quite what I expected.

While the prologue drew me in with its intriguing narrative, the memoir's heavy reliance on citations and quotes created a disconnect for me. I tend to gravitate towards memoirs where the author's voice takes center stage, offering their unique perspective and emotional journey. In this case, the academic references felt more prominent than the author's personal reflection, creating a reading experience akin to an informative paper rather than a personal connection.

However, it's important to note that despite not resonating with my preferred style, glimpses of the author's father painted a picture of an incredible individual. The snippets of his life experiences hinted at a captivating story waiting to be told. Perhaps if you enjoy memoirs rich in references, this book might be an interesting exploration.

Everyone has different reading preferences, and what resonates with one might not click with another. I encourage you to explore the book yourself and see if it resonates with you!

A deep comfort and absolutely inspirational at the same time.

Alexandra Chan takes her own journey through grief and healing and shares it in a way that is both a comfort and and an inspiration

South East Asian culture embraces the lives of our ancestors and they are remembered in all festivals, but Chan takes this a step further, sharing her family history and entwining it with mythology to create a truly magical masterpiece. This will be an absolute great in literary history and rightly so

I gratefully received a free eARC from NetGalley and my review is left voluntarily