Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan

As a small child in Korea, Elizabeth Kim witnessed the murder of her mother, Omma, by Omma's father and brother. Labeled an ""honor killing,"" Omma's death was considered justified because her child, the author, was born not only out of wedlock but also of mixed race (the father was a American G.I.). Considered ""less than human"" by her family, Kim was sent to an orphanage where she was eventually adopted by an American Christian Fundamentalist couple. But in California, Kim's life was no less full of manipulation, racism and ostracism. It is not until, as an adult, she leaves an abusive husband and sets off to raise her own daughter that Kim is able to come to terms with herself and her past. Hearing Kim read her own story adds a palpable level of intimacy to this uplifting chronicle of endurance and the healing powers of love. Knowing that the very voice heard is that of the sad and confused little girl, matured into a successful adult, is eerie. Yet there is comfort in knowing that she is alive and well and now able to share her incredible tale. Based on the Doubleday hardcover (Forecasts, Mar. 20). (May)