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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Electrically well-written at times. Sometimes, however, it was poorly written enough that I sort of doubted its authenticity. Still, like Tim O'Brien said about (not sure if the quote is apocryphal or not - regardless, I think it's true) writing war stories: if the impression that you give is true, the story can be false and not detract from its truth. If the impression you give is false, the story, even if true is a lie.
This is written conversationally enough that you can imagine Ishmael telling you the story. I think as a memoir the job is done well.
This is written conversationally enough that you can imagine Ishmael telling you the story. I think as a memoir the job is done well.
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Obliterating and truly haunting.
I'm so sad to be rating this so low. This boy and his devastating story deserve a 5* and more, but the way the story was told left me with more questions than answers.
It's a memoir in the most basic sense. There's no backstory, there's no country history added for the readers that have no idea what lead up to this conflict (fortunately I'm aware more than most, but the majority of people aren't and won't do the extra research to find out), truly told as a child would- there's no adult interpretation of the author looking back upon his story.
I had so many questions throughout this that I wish had been explained that I ended up researching a ton after finishing the book. I knew the RUF used child soldiers but actually had no idea the government army took advantage of them as well. I wanted more info on why some children were given up to UNICEF. And who decided which children were able to leave? Weren't they still needed as soldiers? I wish this part had been expanded. Then the fact that the workers were totally unprepared for these damaged children was shocking.
Other things that caught my attention is that his aunt and uncle didn't care that he was being taken somewhere or even believe him? I'm sorry, what? What? The fact that the man responsible for taking him to NYC didn't adequately prepare him for an American east coast winter left me appalled. I know there were others that caught my attention but those were the specific situations that stuck out.
A heartbreaking story but lacking in important description. Some less important stories were focused on (traveling the wilderness to find their families) vs the actual life he spent as a child soldier (mostly focused on the amount of drugs they were consuming). I also wish the book had more of a polished ending.
I believe I rated it higher than it deserves as a final written work but my heart breaks for the life this man has lived. Had this story been well-rounded with more depth, details and education it would have easily been a 5*.
It's a memoir in the most basic sense. There's no backstory, there's no country history added for the readers that have no idea what lead up to this conflict (fortunately I'm aware more than most, but the majority of people aren't and won't do the extra research to find out), truly told as a child would- there's no adult interpretation of the author looking back upon his story.
I had so many questions throughout this that I wish had been explained that I ended up researching a ton after finishing the book. I knew the RUF used child soldiers but actually had no idea the government army took advantage of them as well. I wanted more info on why some children were given up to UNICEF. And who decided which children were able to leave? Weren't they still needed as soldiers? I wish this part had been expanded. Then the fact that the workers were totally unprepared for these damaged children was shocking.
Other things that caught my attention is that his aunt and uncle didn't care that he was being taken somewhere or even believe him? I'm sorry, what? What? The fact that the man responsible for taking him to NYC didn't adequately prepare him for an American east coast winter left me appalled. I know there were others that caught my attention but those were the specific situations that stuck out.
A heartbreaking story but lacking in important description. Some less important stories were focused on (traveling the wilderness to find their families) vs the actual life he spent as a child soldier (mostly focused on the amount of drugs they were consuming). I also wish the book had more of a polished ending.
I believe I rated it higher than it deserves as a final written work but my heart breaks for the life this man has lived. Had this story been well-rounded with more depth, details and education it would have easily been a 5*.
The ONLY reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was that it was hard to follow at times and ended very abruptly. What a compelling story of survival and redemption. The fact that all too many children in this world suffer the same types of hardships only make this book more compelling. I learned a lot about Sierra Leone, it's people, it's war and it's suffering- especially of the boys forced to be soldiers.
Not an easy read but very important. Reminded me a little of Tree Girl.
I listened to the audio version which was read by the author. The writing wasnt the best ever, but that wasn’t the point. It was authentic and impressive.