Scan barcode
mahmabaer's review against another edition
5.0
This was a hard story to read, but one of great importance. It is only through our history that we prevent making the same mistakes over again.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
5.0
A heart-wrenching, yet inspirational account of Immaculee and seven other women hide in a small bathroom at her pastor's house (hidden even from his children who he fear may get caught up in the hysteria of killing Tutsis) for three months. Meanwhile, the Hutu "killers" are running around Rwanda trying to massacre all the Tutsi. Sometimes you wonder if Immaculee and the other seven in the bathroom are the only ones left.
Under these circumstances, Immaculee, already a religious woman and highly intelligent, strengthens her relationship with God. Often her faith is challenged as she hears radio accounts of what is happening (accounts that are often pro-Hutu and encourage the brutal killing of Tutsis), the house is searched frequently from top to bottom because her local villagers turned killers believe the pastor is still hiding Tutsis, and she finds her family has all been slaughtered. Immaculee receives revelation and comfort that she will survive, that she will be okay, and that God is mindful of her and her people's suffering.
I find myself reflecting on what I heard about Rwanda, mostly in regards to the U.S. soldiers going to Rwanda and being slaughtered. Originally, I had decided this was a huge mistake, however, after reading of the horrible crimes against humanity and the brutality of the killings, I have changed my mind. We don't really know if sending troops over was a poor decision, regardless that our soldiers died. Perhaps, the Western world should have sent troops in when the genocide began, before so many Hutus were smitten with the blood lust.
What is the responsibility of the rest of the world when we see such things happening?
The audio book was very well done, although abridged.
Also, a good book club book.
Under these circumstances, Immaculee, already a religious woman and highly intelligent, strengthens her relationship with God. Often her faith is challenged as she hears radio accounts of what is happening (accounts that are often pro-Hutu and encourage the brutal killing of Tutsis), the house is searched frequently from top to bottom because her local villagers turned killers believe the pastor is still hiding Tutsis, and she finds her family has all been slaughtered. Immaculee receives revelation and comfort that she will survive, that she will be okay, and that God is mindful of her and her people's suffering.
I find myself reflecting on what I heard about Rwanda, mostly in regards to the U.S. soldiers going to Rwanda and being slaughtered. Originally, I had decided this was a huge mistake, however, after reading of the horrible crimes against humanity and the brutality of the killings, I have changed my mind. We don't really know if sending troops over was a poor decision, regardless that our soldiers died. Perhaps, the Western world should have sent troops in when the genocide began, before so many Hutus were smitten with the blood lust.
What is the responsibility of the rest of the world when we see such things happening?
The audio book was very well done, although abridged.
Also, a good book club book.
mthorley23's review against another edition
5.0
This is an AMAZING book that everyone SHOULD read. Thanks Marie for the recommendation and book loan! I have never been so impacted by a book as by this one. She has so much faith, I am inspired to be a better person.
bookish_julie's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! Such a sad but inspirational story and very well written.
bibliobethica's review against another edition
5.0
My sister-in-law, Colleen, recommended I read this many years ago. I finally read it and was very moved by Immaculee's story. It's a haunting tale, but how she survived through her faith was incredibly inspiring.
clardyparty's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping. Inspiring. A must read for those who struggle with forgiveness.
karnaconverse's review against another edition
4.0
Immaculee Ilibagiza, and six other Tutsi women hid from Hutu killers for three months during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Immaculee credits God for giving her the strength to survive and writes of her ongoing conversation with God and the dreams she had during her time in the bathroom. Her parents and two of her three brothers were killed during the massacre. In addition to training her thoughts on God, Immaculee teaches herself English which comes in handy when, after rescued, she applies for work with the United Nations. The gruesome details of how her Hutu neighbors used machetes to kill the Tutsi neighbors they'd lived beside for generations and the looting and destruction of property are difficult to imagine but necessary to fully understand what happened in this small, central African country. Her surviving brother (and family) lives in Rwanda; she (and her family) lives in New York City.
I read this because it is the 2012 University Seminar Summer Read for Buena Vista University (Iowa), the university my husband is affiliated with. Immaculee will speak on campus in September.
I read this because it is the 2012 University Seminar Summer Read for Buena Vista University (Iowa), the university my husband is affiliated with. Immaculee will speak on campus in September.
trekbicycles's review against another edition
5.0
Could not put down! After finishing it, I talked with the descendant of Tutsi survivors who called her open heart, her forgiveness, and her faith "supernatural." No better description!
ghostlightmuse's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful first person account of a woman surviving the Genocide in Rawanda. This book will show you the true meaning of strength and forgiveness. Very inspiring.
lehughes19's review against another edition
5.0
Left to Tell is one of the most beautifully tragic book I've ever been blessed to read. The horrific, deplorable actions of men filled with evil will forever mark Rwanda, Africa, and the world.
But God.
Imaculee's faith and dependence on God are humbling and awe-inspiring. I pray that I can depend on God and show grace to others in the way she does.
But God.
Imaculee's faith and dependence on God are humbling and awe-inspiring. I pray that I can depend on God and show grace to others in the way she does.