Description:
An uplifting story that makes readers cry tears of laughter as well as sorrow, and reassures us that there is love and laughter in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Restores your faith in humanity during difficult times!
Brief description: Caroline Pover was born in Devon in 1971, grew up in Plymouth, and attended Exeter University before moving to Tokyo in 1996, in search of adventure. She lived in Japan full-time for almost fifteen years, running a number of businesses, giving speeches, and winning numerous awards for her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavours. Caroline unexpectedly ended up in the UK in the weeks after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. She spent the following years going back and forth between Japan and England, fundraising and also managing recovery projects for the remote fishing communities on Oshika - a peninsula that was very badly affected by the tsunami. To date, she has raised £170,000, which has funded over thirty different projects to help these communities rebuild. Caroline now lives in the Cotswolds, where she established Auntie Caroline's - a pickled onion and chutney business. She goes "home" to Japan every year. This is her fifth book, and first memoir - she considers it her "love letter to Oshika."
Review Quotes:
"The book is a delight, and I would highly recommend reading as we move towards the 10 year anniversary (2021) of the quake / tsunami."
"A deeply personal story with a universal theme: what can one person do in the face of unthinkable death and despair? One Month in Tohoku provides an unexpected but welcome answer: whatever we set our mind to ... [The book] a brilliant example of what is possible if we discard our jaded apathy and rediscover the joy of helping. A delight and a privilege to read."
"This is a wonderful book by someone with a gift for harnessing compassion and enthusiasm to get important things done. It's about hope, optimism and, most of all, about love. Great read, and very authentic."
"Caroline weaves an engaging story touching on so many different aspects of the earthquake, tsunami, and aftermath. Yes, there is heartbreak, but there is also hope and inspiration."
"Fans of Japan, entrepreneurs, volunteer and community leaders, or those just looking for a good story will soon fall in love with this book and its author, Caroline. This personal memoir hits every emotion ... I found myself cheering for her through the pages while also becoming motivated to do more in my own community in the process. Great as a read for yourself, perfect as a gift for someone else."
"It is an account of events there that has largely escaped main stream media-even in Japan. We all remember the devastating images of the raw destruction of the tsunami, which were plastered over global media. This memoir transports us into the lives of the people most directly affected by this destruction, long after the cameras have gone."
"A captivating, inspiring and emotional real life story of the outplaying of compassion for the country Caroline fell in love with ... A compelling read that leaves you amazed at how one woman can do so much to change people's lives for the better. It will make you weep, gasp, giggle and more as you (quite literally) hear Caroline tell her story."
"This book is much more than just one month in Tohoku ... Although so much of it is sad, there is also so much that is good and happy. I think anyone who has ever considered voluntary work would enjoy reading this, especially those frustrated by the red tape which often prevents the right donations getting to the people who really need them."
"As soon as I started reading this book, I was gripped. Caroline writes in a way that keeps you totally engrossed. I spent my days thinking about what I'd read the night before and waiting for the evening when I could pick it up again. I laughed out loud, and I cried out loud too. I felt like I was living the journey in real time with her all the way. I haven't read a book quite as moving in a long time ... This book isn't just a memoir, its an inspirational life changing must-read for everyone, and its hilarious too!"