Reviews

A House in the Sky: A Memoir by Amanda Lindhout

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jennajean's review against another edition

4.0

Lost some sleep over this one - fair warning to anyone who travels regularly in conflict / post-conflict areas. But a well-written and insightful memoir about the author's experience being kidnapped in Somalia. Bonus points for the audiobook being read by the author - I always find that more impactful, especially with memoirs.

nareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Look, I’m going to start by saying this woman has shown strength and resilience I could only ever aspire to. I’m so sickened by what she went through and it is inspiring that she managed to remain positive despite the unimaginable torture and despair she went through. My heart goes out to her.

BUT!!!

What I cannot fathom is the level of stupidity, arrogance and self importance that led to this mess in the first place. She and Nigel really had no business being in Somalia, and their actions have had such catastrophic consequences on themselves, their poor families and society as a whole (given what the ransom money was likely used for). Perhaps this is an unfair assessment of Amanda’s character, but I am inclined to think she would have continued to take unnecessary risk after unnecessary risk until something awful happened. It’s hard to understand how any rational person would behave this way. There was a point early on in the book I really couldn’t stand her, as she came across like a silly entitled naive woman with no true understanding of cultures different to her own.

Now with that rant out of my system, I think by the end she showed enormous growth and awareness of her past misgivings. The book was truly fascinating and it was eye-opening to get some insight into the complicated minds of her kidnappers. It made for an extremely powerful story. Fair play to the woman.

suzzeb22's review against another edition

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4.0

This book stuck with me for a very long time after reading it. I felt many different things going through it; not just rage, anger, sadness and fear but also happiness and hope.
This woman, although not much like me: does speak to a big place in me that loves to travel. She saved for months, living in a cheap place and doing without because it meant more to her to get out and see the world than it did to have all the nice things; and that I can definitely relate to.
Rather than spend it on "things" she chose to travel. The following contains spoilers! I admire her for her bravery in the face of the horrors she experienced and the hopelessness she must have felt, particularly after getting out of the house she was held captive in, only to be returned there and treated worse. I don't admire her decision to travel to Somalia at a time when the country was in dire straits as it was and currently is today. Nor do I think it wise to attempt journalism with such little back up; essentially going out on her own without a back up plan, two travellers trying for a story. Neither of them are hard hitting journalists; in fact Amanda herself had little to no experience in the field. Not that that in any way detracts from what happened to her; it didn't so I am not placing blame. I just feel it worth mentioning that showing up in a war torn country such as Somalia as a woman has some pretty good odds of turning out badly. Congratulations Amanda that you keep going and for sharing your story with us. I hope you have a good life going forward and can inspire others to remain brave after such an experience.