The Lost Mother
The Lost Mother by Joon Ja Kim is a memoir published by iUniverse in February 2008, comprising 308 pages in English. This book recounts the life of Iltang, a renowned Korean/Japanese painter born in 1922, whose journey is deeply intertwined with the complexities of his family background. His mother, Ilyeop, was a notable feminist poet who chose to renounce the world for a Buddhist monastic life shortly after his birth. The memoir explores the impact of this decision on Iltang, as well as the romantic yet doomed relationship between his parents, set against a backdrop of war and upheaval.
Readers will find a rich narrative that delves into themes of family and relationships, as Iltang grapples with the absence of his mother throughout his life. His quest for artistic success and spiritual enlightenment is portrayed alongside his enduring longing for maternal connection. The memoir provides insights into the historical context of Iltang’s life, illustrating how these experiences shaped his identity and resilience. The Lost Mother offers a unique perspective on the interplay between personal aspiration and familial ties, making it a significant addition to the genres of biography and historical narrative.
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The Lost Mother is the memoir of Iltang, an acclaimed Korean/Japan painter whowas born in 1922. His Korean mother, Ilyeopwas a well-known feminist poetwho, after his birth, renounced the worldto enter into Buddhist monastic life. Iltang’s father was the scion of an aristocratic Japanese family. Their relationship was romantic but ultimatelydoomed. In a life marked by war and disruption; Iltang finally attained both theartistic success he craved, and the spiritualenlightenment he sought in later life. The longing for his “real”mother never left him, however, and it provided him the psychological impetus to succeed in both the worldly andspiritual realms. Iltang’s dramatic life story ismade even more vibrant by the chaotic historical context intowhich he was born. It is an interesting portrayal of a unique time and place and an inspiring look at one man’s incredible ability to overcome adversity.
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