Scan barcode
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.
eloiselucyy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Read for work. A compelling story which outlines the refugee and displacement experience, and the trauma, brilliantly.
readwithtabi's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great read. I feel like this book is one of a kind in that jt talks about what happens AFTER. I felt little closure from the ending, but maybe that is the point.
briannethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
In this memoir, Clemantine Wamaryia shares her story of escaping the Rwanda genocide with her sister. Told in chapters alternating between her childhood, her teen/college years, and adulthood, Clemantine details how her and her sister Claire did whatever it took to be safe, even when it meant leaving their family behind. Her reflection about what she endured and how she now feels about it is terrifying yet candid.
What I really liked about Clemantine is that she looked up to Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author of Night, and she brings up his own story throughout hers. Though the telling of her own story lacks the emotion that you might expect, I admired Clemantine because of how willing she was to be honest about her detached tone and what she really thinks. Clemantine isn’t your typical survivor; she doesn’t talk about closure or forgetting the past, and she doesn’t necessarily tell her story for the purpose of inspiring others. While it didn’t really evoke emotion from me, I enjoyed reading it because her story was honest, atypical, and important.
What I really liked about Clemantine is that she looked up to Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and author of Night, and she brings up his own story throughout hers. Though the telling of her own story lacks the emotion that you might expect, I admired Clemantine because of how willing she was to be honest about her detached tone and what she really thinks. Clemantine isn’t your typical survivor; she doesn’t talk about closure or forgetting the past, and she doesn’t necessarily tell her story for the purpose of inspiring others. While it didn’t really evoke emotion from me, I enjoyed reading it because her story was honest, atypical, and important.