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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, my god. I knew I wanted to read this book the second I got the ARC of it. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. I mean, is it possible to give a book a hundred stars? A thousand? A million?
I want to say that Clemantine and her sister, Claire, deserve so much, but that would be antithetical to Wamariya's experiences: who is she to have come from so little and now have so much? Why her? Why does she deserve this more than others? Really, she doesn't deserve more than anyone else in her position just because she knew how to survive better than them.
UGH THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. Wamariya is so evocative and a masterful storyteller--the true horror being that this was indeed her life, as well as so many others. She's careful in what she shares, careful about her rage and anger and upset. She weaves in stories and experiences and the frustrations and wants and needs of her as a six year old to her as a freshman. She must reconcile her privileged hardships alongside the times in which she lived as a refugee, in which her sister married a refugee worker as a means to escape, in which she's lost and alone and has nobody to reach out to.
It's evocative, provocative, chilling, terrifying, reclamative, truthful, honest. It's everything a memoir should be, and a reminder of everything that shouldn't be. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It takes no prisoners, and you will be glad for it.
Review cross-listed here!
I want to say that Clemantine and her sister, Claire, deserve so much, but that would be antithetical to Wamariya's experiences: who is she to have come from so little and now have so much? Why her? Why does she deserve this more than others? Really, she doesn't deserve more than anyone else in her position just because she knew how to survive better than them.
UGH THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. Wamariya is so evocative and a masterful storyteller--the true horror being that this was indeed her life, as well as so many others. She's careful in what she shares, careful about her rage and anger and upset. She weaves in stories and experiences and the frustrations and wants and needs of her as a six year old to her as a freshman. She must reconcile her privileged hardships alongside the times in which she lived as a refugee, in which her sister married a refugee worker as a means to escape, in which she's lost and alone and has nobody to reach out to.
It's evocative, provocative, chilling, terrifying, reclamative, truthful, honest. It's everything a memoir should be, and a reminder of everything that shouldn't be. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It takes no prisoners, and you will be glad for it.
Review cross-listed here!
acourtofathalarandwhitethorn's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the balance between the war and her life now. It was such a raw and real portrayal of how trauma impacts people.
leer_amor's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second book for the Read More Diverse Non-fiction
2024 challenge and it was so much more than I anticipated. This is a heartbreaking story of a young girl whose life was torn apart by wer and genoc!de and her strength and resiliance. Some of the writing flow and stylistic choices didnt entirely resonate with me but the story itself is so important and relevent.
ekb523's review against another edition
5.0
I have read a couple of books about the genocide in Rwanda, but I have never read one with such a unique perspective into the refugee experience. Clemantine allows you to enter into her inner thoughts and experiences and reading this book felt like an intimate experience. I feel like I'm leaving this book having a far more nuanced understanding of the mental/emotional refugee experience and how that impacts the way she (and other refugees) perceive and interact with the world.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
The Girl Who Smiled Beads is the next, Escape from Camp 14! You don't want to miss this book. A truly must read.
Instantly, I was hooked by Clemantine's voice. Her story is a strong one. Yet, it is not without sorrow. Imagine being in a refugee camp and being thankful for "flour". A simple ingredient but it can be used to help make so many foods or once a month getting half a vitamin or a dried biscuit. If you have food and a home; then, you are "rich" in abundance.
However, this book is not about sorrow or even triumph. It is about being a survivor. Back to Clemantine. Her voice really resonated with me. Thus, the reason I enjoyed this book.
Instantly, I was hooked by Clemantine's voice. Her story is a strong one. Yet, it is not without sorrow. Imagine being in a refugee camp and being thankful for "flour". A simple ingredient but it can be used to help make so many foods or once a month getting half a vitamin or a dried biscuit. If you have food and a home; then, you are "rich" in abundance.
However, this book is not about sorrow or even triumph. It is about being a survivor. Back to Clemantine. Her voice really resonated with me. Thus, the reason I enjoyed this book.
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
Rwanda genocide survivor story. African refugee story. Coming of age without parents story.
quiltmom14's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 (I really need to tell Goodreads to add that 1/2 star as an option!). As my son said when he told me to read this, it’s a horrific story, told in heartbreaking language that doesn’t crush you. This is a must read.