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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Listened to the author reading. For the most part, an enthralling memoir with references to Liberian history.
An excellent memoir that is not only personal and deeply moving, but the author also provides significant historical background on Liberia. The author explores her family's history as it is interwoven directly with the history of the country and its founding. However, she also recognizes her privilege throughout and the discrepancy between her reality and that of her "foster sister" Eunice.
Her tale is a coming-of-age, told through her adolescence in Liberia, but then as a young adult in the US coming to terms with her history and her return to her homeland, both physically and emotionally.
A wonderfully honest and informative memoir.
Her tale is a coming-of-age, told through her adolescence in Liberia, but then as a young adult in the US coming to terms with her history and her return to her homeland, both physically and emotionally.
A wonderfully honest and informative memoir.
Loved it. This is an engaging, though heart-wrenching, memoir. Many of the conversations were written in Liberian English. I found a youtube of the author reading her book, so I could get a real sense of how she and her family talked.
I knew nothing about the American Colony of Liberia until this book.
"I did what I always did when something seismic happened that I couldn't deal with. I concentrated on the superficial."
- This quote describes a good half of the book. It's a story about a girl growing up, but she just happens to grow up in Liberia and her childhood gets stolen from her by the horrors of war.
Having not known much about the events of Liberian history, this memoir made the situation there very real to me. I am amazed at the ability to survive that the people there have. I don't have the strength that Eunice does - to go from living in a nice house (with a/c and everything) to making soap and living with strangers - I don't think I would have the will to go on with life.
Make sure you read through the acknowledgements as well at the end of the book - it will make you smile.
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"I was home, and home was Hell."
"One thing I've learned from all this: our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are the best resources any of us has when it comes to figuring out each of our individual stories. There was a wealth of knowledge waiting for me; all I had to do was shut up and listen."
"..the strongest [woman I know}. That title goes to my mother, Calista Denis Cooper. Thank you, Mommee, for so much more than I could ever put down on paper."
- This quote describes a good half of the book. It's a story about a girl growing up, but she just happens to grow up in Liberia and her childhood gets stolen from her by the horrors of war.
Having not known much about the events of Liberian history, this memoir made the situation there very real to me. I am amazed at the ability to survive that the people there have. I don't have the strength that Eunice does - to go from living in a nice house (with a/c and everything) to making soap and living with strangers - I don't think I would have the will to go on with life.
Make sure you read through the acknowledgements as well at the end of the book - it will make you smile.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"I was home, and home was Hell."
"One thing I've learned from all this: our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are the best resources any of us has when it comes to figuring out each of our individual stories. There was a wealth of knowledge waiting for me; all I had to do was shut up and listen."
"..the strongest [woman I know}. That title goes to my mother, Calista Denis Cooper. Thank you, Mommee, for so much more than I could ever put down on paper."
Wow. Learned alot about Liberia in this book. Very well written.
This is the second book that I have read after seeing it displayed in Starbucks and I was not disappointed. I really enjoy reading memoirs, I find real-life stories to be intriguing because you know real people had these experiences.
Overall I think this book told an interesting story. However, the first half of the book was really boring and many times I almost gave up on the book. I read it for book group so I made myself keep going since someone obviously liked it enough to recommend it. The second half of the book was much better and moved along much more quickly and her story came alive. I am surprised that the book had these types of issues since the author was a reporter.
This was a fabulously written book full of rich history and compelling family relationships. I highly recommend this biography.