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lbomba's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
markandcover's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I’m not rating the content… this is a memoir and is deeply respected. Rating memoirs always gives me the ick. How can I give “stars” to someone’s real life experiences? The only thing that gives me pause is nonlinear structure in nonfiction. It confuses me sometimes and feels unnecessary when telling a story in a memoir style. Additionally, I purposefully use audiobook format in memoir so that I can hear the literal voice of the author, which I did not get here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and War
canadajanes's review against another edition
4.0
Short book, very compelling autobiography of a refugee and survivor of the Rwandan genocide.
caitlyn888's review against another edition
4.0
This is a remarkable story, and I just wish it had been told in sequential order.
But really, how are you supposed to rate someone's personal account of surviving war, sickness, and famine?
But really, how are you supposed to rate someone's personal account of surviving war, sickness, and famine?
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
3.0
There's no doubt that Wamariya's journey has been challenging and incredible, and I appreciate the searing emotional rawness in which it is told. However, the chosen presentation made engaging with the material very difficult at times. I would have preferred it if the story had been told in a linear fashion rather than jumping back and forth in time; there needed to be no narrative tricks at play here for the tale to make an impact. Upon seeing the timeline at the beginning of each chapter, I often had to remind myself of where in time I was with regard to Wamariya's life, which became frustrating. This is a vital refugee story that deserves to be told, but I wish the end result had been stronger.
Thanks to the First to Read program for providing me with an ARC of this title.
Thanks to the First to Read program for providing me with an ARC of this title.
highladyofthedaycourt's review against another edition
5.0
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers**
"Everything is yours, everything is not yours."
Clementine's testament of the depravity she witnessed for the seven years she and her family refuged all across central africa.
Harrowing, heartfelt, mesmerizing, but most of all truthful and real. No sugar coating.
It was hard to read but it was amazing st the same time. I makes yoi realize how good you have it, and how no matter what happens, things could be worse.
"Everything is yours, everything is not yours."
Clementine's testament of the depravity she witnessed for the seven years she and her family refuged all across central africa.
Harrowing, heartfelt, mesmerizing, but most of all truthful and real. No sugar coating.
It was hard to read but it was amazing st the same time. I makes yoi realize how good you have it, and how no matter what happens, things could be worse.
along500's review against another edition
3.0
I never feel that it's appropriate to "rate" somebody else's story. I did have a really hard time following this story, though, and just didn't take much away from it unfortunately.
karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The story drew me in immediately, and the way that Clementine shared it was unlike anything I’ve read. Her way of writing and describing things is heartbreaking and jaw-dropping.