Under His Wings

This memoir follows a woman whose early years included serving as a hostess for Japanese soldiers during the occupation. From there, it traces her schooling and home life, where she is repeatedly pushed to conform and blend in with those around her. Her path raises a central question: how can someone with independent views and large ambitions adjust when they see contradictions in their family or culture? The author considers when to stay quiet about problems that call for action, especially when obedience and deference are stressed above all. She also reflects on growing up under strict parents who had mapped out her future, and on finding her own voice when it is discouraged at nearly every turn. Telling her story in her own words, she examines how she worked through these clashes with society and family and emerged stronger while staying connected to her culture. The result is a reflective account for readers who have found themselves at odds with prevailing expectations and beliefs.