A review by pandaintheshelves
In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic by Alexandra A. Chan

emotional hopeful inspiring sad

5.0

This book is the embodiment of working your grief through art and creating something beautiful in the process. I loved the beautiful writing style, in a stream of consciousness, kinda private journal style. It provides a sense of closeness, an intimate atmosphere, inviting you to explore this ode to her family, their resilience, and ultimately, the pain of parting with loved ones. All this accompanied by amazing pictures and great artwork.

There's no straight path out of grief and loss. We choose whichever ways resonate with us better. It was interesting to see how healing can happen through art, storytelling, and even astrology. The blend of emotions associated with the author's family history, social commentary, and spiritual guidance made this a unique reading experience for me. Bittersweet, but filled with hope and ultimately life-affirming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy. 

If you're looking for a heartfelt, touching sort of reading with a non-traditional structure and a lot of family feels, this might be the book for you.