Sorry for the brutal image. It has been ages I have not done any reading. I used to LOVE to read but what happened? Perhaps it's the evolution of entertainment? I have to complete a primer that titled "Make History Not Memory"with a chapter in it to be written by me. I've chosen to write about how is the relationship between China and Japan after that particular event. With that, I have to read loads of books. Unfortunately, there is only 4 books in the library that records such events which is quite a disappointment. Unlike back in Malaysia, there would be tons of books that records this event. Nevertheless, I have been reading them, trying to complete them.
Iris Chang : The rape of Nanking
As I held the book by the bed, I find that it is addictive to read them. Chapters after chapters of stories of individual survivors. Their stories makes me feel that it is fortunate for life's to be as precious as gems. Most of them survived till today mainly because of luck but with a whole lot of experiences that you and I do not want to experience including brain bits drooling onto your face while you have to act dead and hold your breath. I later found out that the author, Iris Chang commited suicide. Traumatized by what she had learned and burdened by the weight of what she had taken on she killed herself on November 9th 2004.
However, reading these should not trigger my nerve for anger (which I actually did in the beginning) but to learn not to forget history yet to learn to forgive. This topic has already embedded into me, to learn memories and history together but the learned memory wouldn't be as permanent as those who spoke about.
It's like a tattoo.
Mitch Albom! You're next. You have been on the queue for so long, I thought I might read you on the 13hours flight but I did not. Ended up with a perfect good movie on flight, some interesting interactions with the Japanese Obasan next to me and some good sleep. I will!
