A Bald Head and Strawberry – Book Review

Hyun Jin Moon recently published his second book. Apart from the title “A Bald Head and a Strawberry”, the book is interesting for several reasons.

First, you get actually three books. In one piece you get the Korean, Japanese and English version.

Second, it contains interesting insights into the life of the ‘true children’. That’s the movement’s technical term for the children of Sun Myung Moon. Even though treated like royalty by the leaders and membership, the attitude towards them is highly ambiguous. That transpires between the lines when he talks about ‘life in a fish bowl’, without privacy, where he and his siblings are separated from the parents by the ever present membership.

With his behaviour continuously being judged before the background of a highly restrictive value system, he grows to hate this environment and life itself: “I sat and seethed in anger many nights as I drifted off into sleep. I hated these get togethers. I hated this house. I hated all things about public life. I hated myself. I hated life” (p. 108).

After the death of his brother Young Jin he finds interest in the study of religious teachings. What might have begun as an obligation to his brother’s legacy, becomes a genuine search for truth that transcends the boundaries of any individual religion, including the unification movement.

This is the third interesting point. In studying the different religions thoughts he finds common themes that transcend the individual religious teachings and in his own way discovers God.

The description of his journey is very authentic and personal. The way he integrates his fathers life and teaching is enticing. By stimulating the readers personal involvement in this endeavors, it adds considerable value to religious theory.
 

I’d say, go get the book and check it out. But for the general public the book is difficult to get. A search at amazon.com was unsuccessful. That’s a mystery to me – in a time where I can access my refrigerator through the internet – well, almost.

If you really want a copy of the book you might have to twist the arm of a member of the movement. Alternatively, you can send me an email and I see what I can do.

This offer also goes for Hyeong Jin Moon’s other book – ‘The Moment’. Here you can get at least an impression online: www.themoment1.com. It cost just under 40 USD, but you have to call Japan to get it or – perish the thought - Korea. On average they don’t speak English there.

A mini-refrigerator from amazon.com ships in 1 – 2 days. I will need a little bit more than that.

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