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Diamond: The Memoir of a Lost Daughter of Japan
The Memoir of a Lost Daughter of Japan
tells the tale of a small girl orphaned in a hostile foreign country, who must live by her wits and courage until fate decides to favor her many years later.
Told in the thrilling voice of an expert storyteller, this memoir reads like page-turner fiction yet is factual down to the letter. It is a compassionate look into human hearts under the worst of conditions, and at what a gentle soul will do to protect the people she loves.
Set in the Philippines near the end of the Second World War, DIAMOND rolls back the curtain on a time and place about which little has been written. It is history. It is drama. It is a story of personal triumph.
Told in the thrilling voice of an expert storyteller, this memoir reads like page-turner fiction yet is factual down to the letter. It is a compassionate look into human hearts under the worst of conditions, and at what a gentle soul will do to protect the people she loves.
Set in the Philippines near the end of the Second World War, DIAMOND rolls back the curtain on a time and place about which little has been written. It is history. It is drama. It is a story of personal triumph.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
223 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2024
14 people are currently reading
2452 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 7, 2024
Thank you so much @avidbookreaderandtraveler for sending me an ARC of this book! It was so beautifully written!
This book tells the story of diamond’s (Etsuko) life and the trials and tribulations she endured and overcame. During World War 2 she was left orphaned and quickly learned she could only count on herself if she was going to survive. Estuko faced so much heartbreak in her early life it brought tears to my eyes when things finally started to turn around for her. Knowing this is what she really experienced just touched my heart. This story was told by her daughter, I love that she was able to give her mother a voice and help her story be told. This book comes out August 27! be sure to preorder now!
This book tells the story of diamond’s (Etsuko) life and the trials and tribulations she endured and overcame. During World War 2 she was left orphaned and quickly learned she could only count on herself if she was going to survive. Estuko faced so much heartbreak in her early life it brought tears to my eyes when things finally started to turn around for her. Knowing this is what she really experienced just touched my heart. This story was told by her daughter, I love that she was able to give her mother a voice and help her story be told. This book comes out August 27! be sure to preorder now!
August 16, 2024
Diamond…The memoir of a lost Daughter of Japan, is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. It is a true testament of courage, resilience, forgiveness, and love. It’s a rag-to-riches and or, Cinderella story. It’s a true story about the atrocities left behind from a time at war. It leaves a young six-year-old Japanese girl orphaned as she is violently stripped away from her family, country, and memories of her past. She is only left with vague dreams of her life before the war. She grows up almost losing her identity and sense of belonging. Etsuko, who eventually is given the name of Diamond, lives a life of great pain as she is passed around from one village family to the next, living as a servant/slave girl. She lived under the most dreadful conditions. She was given no education or any sense of love or affection until a young missionary took sympathy upon her and was able to show her that she had a purpose in life as he introduced her to God’s love. Traveling through her life’s journey, she faces many twists and turns. She encounters many hardships of being bullied and physically and emotionally abused by those who see her as different from themselves. She never loses sight of remembering that God has a purpose for her and eventually she rises from the ashes of poverty and finds love and prosperity only to have it ripped from her again through a great tragedy. The love of family drives her to get back up and keep going. Diamond’s strength and determination comes from her faith that could never be shaken no matter the circumstances she faced. This book is a must-read. It leaves the reader with a sense of encouragement. The kind of encouragement that we all need from time to time as we face our struggles in life. The author’s writing is flawless, and the story flows very smoothly. I easily give this book a five-star rating.
August 27, 2024
I am so thankful to have been sent a copy of this memoir. I read it in probably two days and it was beautiful.
This memoir is about a woman who goes through so much but comes out on the other side strong and independent. From being an orphan all the way to finding where she belonged - she never gave up and she was always searching for her life’s purpose.
I loved this book because Etsuko cared so much for all her children even if they weren’t her blood. Her voice was powerful and I encourage you all to give it a read 🪷
This memoir is about a woman who goes through so much but comes out on the other side strong and independent. From being an orphan all the way to finding where she belonged - she never gave up and she was always searching for her life’s purpose.
I loved this book because Etsuko cared so much for all her children even if they weren’t her blood. Her voice was powerful and I encourage you all to give it a read 🪷
August 26, 2024
The book is a profound exploration of emotions—happiness, grief, fear, and love.
Diamond’s journey began when Chief Doming employed her, offering not only shelter but also protection from a Datu seeking to marry her.
It was Chief Doming who gave Diamond her beautiful name, and although she started out doing minimal work as a six-year-old, she eventually found happiness in caring for the children of Chief Doming and his wife, Lady Adela, discovering a sense of family in that role.
Throughout the story, Diamond dedicated herself to thriving in the life she chose, finding comfort in a proper home and the acceptance she longed for, though challenges and difficulties from others still persisted.
What will her destiny hold? How long will she endure in her quest to discover her true identity, and how will she find the family she lost so many years ago?
Navigating a foreign land is undeniably challenging, with trust often resting in the hands of powerful individuals. The story of Etsuko underscores the profound significance of family and a mother's unwavering commitment to protecting her children from harm. It is a powerful and poignant story.
All I can say is that I'm immensely proud of Etsuko; the woman she has become is a testament to her sacrifices, hard work, and deep love for her family.
The book takes place in the province of North Cotabato, Philippines. In the municipality of Magpet, the municipality is know for being number one in producing bananas.
Thank you for sharing some important stories about your mother. Her life story indeed belongs to a book that deserves to be read by so many.
Diamond’s journey began when Chief Doming employed her, offering not only shelter but also protection from a Datu seeking to marry her.
It was Chief Doming who gave Diamond her beautiful name, and although she started out doing minimal work as a six-year-old, she eventually found happiness in caring for the children of Chief Doming and his wife, Lady Adela, discovering a sense of family in that role.
Throughout the story, Diamond dedicated herself to thriving in the life she chose, finding comfort in a proper home and the acceptance she longed for, though challenges and difficulties from others still persisted.
What will her destiny hold? How long will she endure in her quest to discover her true identity, and how will she find the family she lost so many years ago?
Navigating a foreign land is undeniably challenging, with trust often resting in the hands of powerful individuals. The story of Etsuko underscores the profound significance of family and a mother's unwavering commitment to protecting her children from harm. It is a powerful and poignant story.
All I can say is that I'm immensely proud of Etsuko; the woman she has become is a testament to her sacrifices, hard work, and deep love for her family.
The book takes place in the province of North Cotabato, Philippines. In the municipality of Magpet, the municipality is know for being number one in producing bananas.
Thank you for sharing some important stories about your mother. Her life story indeed belongs to a book that deserves to be read by so many.
August 30, 2024
A must-read. Diamond’s story is a true testament to human resilience. Her life experiences and the way she coped with adversities was inspiring. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
October 27, 2024
Wow, that is what came to mind. Excellent read. 👏 👏 👏 👏
April 5, 2025
Please read this book! You won’t regret it!
August 14, 2024
Thank you To Etsuko’s daughter, Mildred for gifting me an advanced copy! The way that God was with Diamond throughout her life is astounding. From loosing her family to finding them again in the most miraculous way. Diamond’s life was nothing short of trials and tribulations. Bouncing from foster homes, almost forced into a marriage as a very young age, to finally staying with the chief and awaiting a job at his house and eventually marries him and has children of her own. It was quite shocking to me about how different the educations systems are between Japan and the Philippines. What a typical high schooler is in the Philippines, is not the case in Japan. They are grades apart on the learning level. Diamonds resiliency in caring for all children, biologically and not, is admirable. The love she has for God throughout her life is inspiring. I really enjoyed this story.
August 8, 2024
This is the story of one person (the author), Diamond, and it is captivating. It starts with her good and bad dreams of her early years (from ages 1-6) and she is transported from her home in Japan to the Philippines. Most of the book was her life in the Philippines, her difficult times and her tremendous success. She has intuition of how to handle difficult things. This is a beautiful story of how God protected her throughout her life. It is hard to stop reading this book. You are walking with her and sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry.
The book ends with her meeting some lost family members in Japan. Also, she details what happened to each of her children and stepchildren. Because of her love and direction each of her children and stepchildren were successful, many graduate from college.
Perhaps I loved this story so much is I know one of her daughters, the one who helped her pen her memoir. However, until I read the book, I did know very much about her mother's life. It is a true story of "rags to riches" and the story takes you along with her and she is very detailed about her life. I don't want to give away the details throughout the book, but I will say in the end she not only returns to Japan but she tells of her trip to see her daughter in America, the daughter I know, and I was there when her grandson was born and she visited her daughter.
This is a book I will treasure and recommend to anyone who loves to read. It is well written with descriptions of places, details of what she was going through from age 1-6 to the present time at age 85. I always say you can see how God has worked in your life looking back and it was never so true as it is with Diamond as she looks back over her life. I know this because I know it to be true also of her daughter.
Wanda Gant
The book ends with her meeting some lost family members in Japan. Also, she details what happened to each of her children and stepchildren. Because of her love and direction each of her children and stepchildren were successful, many graduate from college.
Perhaps I loved this story so much is I know one of her daughters, the one who helped her pen her memoir. However, until I read the book, I did know very much about her mother's life. It is a true story of "rags to riches" and the story takes you along with her and she is very detailed about her life. I don't want to give away the details throughout the book, but I will say in the end she not only returns to Japan but she tells of her trip to see her daughter in America, the daughter I know, and I was there when her grandson was born and she visited her daughter.
This is a book I will treasure and recommend to anyone who loves to read. It is well written with descriptions of places, details of what she was going through from age 1-6 to the present time at age 85. I always say you can see how God has worked in your life looking back and it was never so true as it is with Diamond as she looks back over her life. I know this because I know it to be true also of her daughter.
Wanda Gant
September 18, 2024
Diamond: The Memoir of a Lost Daughter of Japan is a touching and courageous story of a young girl orphaned in the Philippines during the final days of World War II, who survives by relying on her resilience and bravery until fate finally smiles upon her. Written with the skill of a master storyteller, this memoir reads like a gripping novel, yet every detail is grounded in fact. It offers a heartfelt exploration of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to protect those they love, even in the harshest of conditions. Set in a rarely discussed period of history, Diamond is a emotional tale of survival and personal triumph. Thank you to the author for a copy of this beautiful book—I so appreciate it!
September 16, 2024
Amazing Grace
Having met and known some of the characters in this book, I was amazed and thrilled to read this beautiful account of God's amazing grace! The story is almost unbelievable ... you would think it's the substance of a fantasy movie; yet this true story is one of God's love and mercy for someone whom most people would consider unimportant and insignificant. Diamond (Etsuko) never lost sight of God's plan for her life: to love her God and family unconditionally. This has certainly been exemplified in the lives of her children and grandchildren. I highly recommend this well written story of God's amazing grace!
Having met and known some of the characters in this book, I was amazed and thrilled to read this beautiful account of God's amazing grace! The story is almost unbelievable ... you would think it's the substance of a fantasy movie; yet this true story is one of God's love and mercy for someone whom most people would consider unimportant and insignificant. Diamond (Etsuko) never lost sight of God's plan for her life: to love her God and family unconditionally. This has certainly been exemplified in the lives of her children and grandchildren. I highly recommend this well written story of God's amazing grace!
October 11, 2024
A poignant story
Etsuko-sans story is one of resilience and strength. Her innate mental strength enabled her to survive brutality and extreme hardships. She tells her story honestly without sugar-coating the difficulties she endured. It is a very interesting, heartbreaking story.
Etsuko-sans story is one of resilience and strength. Her innate mental strength enabled her to survive brutality and extreme hardships. She tells her story honestly without sugar-coating the difficulties she endured. It is a very interesting, heartbreaking story.
February 4, 2025
Wow. I thought it was an interesting story and then realized it's actually a real memoir! A young girl, orphaned away from home, survives by determination and inner strength. Bullied for being different, she endures extreme poverty and multiple changes in circumstances, creating a family and a life that continues with love today.
November 13, 2024
Won this on goodreads giveaways. A heart full book . I couldn’t put it down . The joys and hardships. I highly recommend this book . It really touched my heart
February 17, 2025
Received a free copy of this memoir in a Goodreads giveaway.
September 13, 2024
Inspiring and compelling
Follow the incredible journey of Etsuko Miyagi's life filled with abandonment, love, fear and faith. It is very compelling story.
Follow the incredible journey of Etsuko Miyagi's life filled with abandonment, love, fear and faith. It is very compelling story.
August 29, 2024
Discover a deeply captivating and moving story with Diamond, a memoir that uncovers the hidden narratives of a lost daughter of Japan. This remarkable page-turner seamlessly combines history, culture, and drama, drawing readers into a time and place about which little has been written.
You'll find yourself unable to put it down as the tale unfolds. Diamond is not just a book; it's an experience, one that will stay with you long after the last page. Perfect for book lovers seeking an unforgettable literary adventure.
You'll find yourself unable to put it down as the tale unfolds. Diamond is not just a book; it's an experience, one that will stay with you long after the last page. Perfect for book lovers seeking an unforgettable literary adventure.
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December 24, 2025"My life has always been one of sudden, sweeping changes. Time and time again, upheaval has left me reeling as I sought purchase on new ground." -Etsuko Diamond Miyagi
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story had me reeling from the beginning. What an incredible journey of a woman lost, and all the hardships she went through to get found. A true story of love, sacrifice and heartbreak.
This book is written like a novel, yet everything written is a fact. I cannot recommend this book more. If you're looking for your next five star read, go order this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story had me reeling from the beginning. What an incredible journey of a woman lost, and all the hardships she went through to get found. A true story of love, sacrifice and heartbreak.
This book is written like a novel, yet everything written is a fact. I cannot recommend this book more. If you're looking for your next five star read, go order this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews