A Long Way Gone: Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier

[orangerevolt]

It's hard to find the right words that describe this book. When I finished it, I was exhausted, but perhaps that is the mark of a good book. This memoir recounts the life of Ishmael Beah in Sierra Leone. It tells his journey of becoming a child soldier and successfully recovering in rehabilitation. This book has more twists than I could have imagined. But, as I said, it is hard to find more words to describe it. It has been one of my favorite books this year, so far. It comes highly recommended.

[Makini]

I'm caught....If I can find it, I will read it! Joined the library two months now, but some how I doubt they will have this...

-M-

[Makini]

Greetings Orangerevolt,

Ive just finished reading this book. I am so very glad I was taken by it and though I had forgotten about saying I would try to find it for a while, things always work out exactly how they are supposed to. Thanks so much. I really like your summary of how you felt about it, I feel the same way too. Maybe not exhausted, for I was having a race with myself to see what turn things would take in the end.

I imagine myself in 1996 and wonder about why I am where I am now and why I have met the people that are now in my life. And what is behind people living so different lives in either very priviledged peaceful circumstances or in circumstances like these,... civil war and poverty (distinguish from self defined and externally ascribed).

I want to add, I really appreciated the flavour of his grandmother and the cultural and social aspects that really help to bind the account together. This is quite a special autobiography.

-M-