What could have been a self-indulgent, preachy, dull enterprise is instead quirky, touching, and gripping -- all thanks to Fujikawa's narrative skills. Her chronological meandering weaves elements of the story in delightfully surprising ways. She avoids sentimentality by switching from pathos to irony in a heartbeat. Most important, she finds universality in her very personal tale. Like all good storytellers, Fujikawa isn't only talking to you, in some sense she's talking about you.