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A Heart of Winter
168 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 23, 2016
A heart-wrenching story of a beautiful friendship between an older Japanese boy and the despised daughter of a prostitute. This made me in cry. What an amazing conversion story this is! I find it astounding it was written by a best-selling Japanese novelist. So powerful, so Christian, so Japanese.
April 8, 2008
This was the first of Ayako Miura's books that I read. I completed it in one evening, and immediately after finishing it, told myself that "I must read this again." According to information in the book, it is a semi-autobiographical account of the author.
Kiyomi, the fictional main character in the story, wrote the text for the book when her pastor asked her to write a profession of faith. Her story tells of how deeply she was hurt as a child and how the guilt that hung over her gradually grew into hatred & bitterness -- Hatred of her insecure mother - a prostitute, hatred of a man she imagined she could trust, but found in reality was a perverted abuser. Her hatred grew to include even herself.
This book impressed a couple of things on me in a very real way. One was that prostitutes are real people with real souls. At the time I read this book, this concept impacted me very deeply.
I was also surprised at the depths of emotion expressed by the books' narrator. I tend to forget that just like me, Japanese people are capable of deep emotions, deep sins, deep deep hurts & layer upon layer of emotion.
In this book, even Kiyomi's dearest friend didn't hear or perceive all the layers of hurt that were callousing Kiyomi's heart -- only God knew.
I think one thing that really sticks with me even now so many years after reading the book is the role that a random woman played in Kiyomi's life. This stranger met little Kiyomi one day when she had been locked out of her home for the afternoon so that her mom could host a male "visitor." The woman taught Kiyomi some songs about Jesus. They met at future times too, and in their little chance meetings, tiny seeds were planted that eventually grew to spark further interest and eventual conversion in the Lord. Very inspiring!
Kiyomi, the fictional main character in the story, wrote the text for the book when her pastor asked her to write a profession of faith. Her story tells of how deeply she was hurt as a child and how the guilt that hung over her gradually grew into hatred & bitterness -- Hatred of her insecure mother - a prostitute, hatred of a man she imagined she could trust, but found in reality was a perverted abuser. Her hatred grew to include even herself.
This book impressed a couple of things on me in a very real way. One was that prostitutes are real people with real souls. At the time I read this book, this concept impacted me very deeply.
I was also surprised at the depths of emotion expressed by the books' narrator. I tend to forget that just like me, Japanese people are capable of deep emotions, deep sins, deep deep hurts & layer upon layer of emotion.
In this book, even Kiyomi's dearest friend didn't hear or perceive all the layers of hurt that were callousing Kiyomi's heart -- only God knew.
I think one thing that really sticks with me even now so many years after reading the book is the role that a random woman played in Kiyomi's life. This stranger met little Kiyomi one day when she had been locked out of her home for the afternoon so that her mom could host a male "visitor." The woman taught Kiyomi some songs about Jesus. They met at future times too, and in their little chance meetings, tiny seeds were planted that eventually grew to spark further interest and eventual conversion in the Lord. Very inspiring!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2024
This book is told from the perspective of the main character writing a letter to her pastor, explaining her conversion to Christianity.
It deals with issues of anger, bitterness, shame, and forgiveness.
There were some elements in it that will probably resonate more with readers who come from shame/honor cultures than those from the West.
It was okay, but I'm not sure how long it will stay with me.
Note: There are mentions of child sexual abuse, though nothing is detailed. There is also .
It deals with issues of anger, bitterness, shame, and forgiveness.
There were some elements in it that will probably resonate more with readers who come from shame/honor cultures than those from the West.
It was okay, but I'm not sure how long it will stay with me.
Note: There are mentions of child sexual abuse, though nothing is detailed. There is also .
August 28, 2024
I loved this book. It wrenched my heart - a story of abuse and the hate that consumes the heart. But, the joy I felt as the main character healed and accepted Jesus was a beautiful experience. I read it in less than 2 days!
May 17, 2019
Miura's books never fail to move me, and make me grateful for the faith that I have.
December 30, 2013
Heart breaking, but brilliant. Full of pain and hope.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews