Before It's Too Late

The narrative begins with a unique perspective on the author's birth in Paris just before World War II, highlighting the historical backdrop of the Nazi invasion. The family's journey takes them from France to Shanghai, where the author's mother secures a job at Macy's, and then to Kobe, Japan, to meet the author's grandparents. This early life experience sets the stage for a rich exploration of cultural transitions and the impact of global events on personal history.