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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
If you’re looking for a story that ends up happily for everyone involved, then this is not it. It ends very abruptly. I think I understand what happens to the boy by the way he refers to him life in the future, but there is no assurance.
Sometimes I also had trouble connecting to some of the characters that unfortunately do not make it out of the war, however I believe part of his writing ensures this because his trauma prevented any tight knit bonds. I can’t tell if he is an excellent writer or if I’m just giving to much credit.
I will admit I love a good romance or fantasy with a happy ending, so maybe that why I gave this book 4 instead of 5 stars. Honestly, a great read to understand a situation that most never even have to worry about and learn what war can do to a brain. I hope anyone thinking about reading this book gives it a try because the story is impactful and beautiful in its own way.
Sometimes I also had trouble connecting to some of the characters that unfortunately do not make it out of the war, however I believe part of his writing ensures this because his trauma prevented any tight knit bonds. I can’t tell if he is an excellent writer or if I’m just giving to much credit.
I will admit I love a good romance or fantasy with a happy ending, so maybe that why I gave this book 4 instead of 5 stars. Honestly, a great read to understand a situation that most never even have to worry about and learn what war can do to a brain. I hope anyone thinking about reading this book gives it a try because the story is impactful and beautiful in its own way.
Around the World Reading Challenge: SIERRA LEONE
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3.5 rounded up
I deeply admire the author and his courage, and I appreciated this first hand account of his perspective during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Something about this book felt unfinished, however, and not just because it just sort of ends without any sense of conclusion. I can appreciate that the somewhat non-linear, vignette-style storytelling is likely due to both his young age at the time of many of these events and the trauma he sustained, but while I felt sometimes it was quite effective, others it was unclear and felt a little more like a first draft than a cohesive narrative. Glad to have read it, but it didn't hit quite as deeply as I'd expected.
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3.5 rounded up
I deeply admire the author and his courage, and I appreciated this first hand account of his perspective during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Something about this book felt unfinished, however, and not just because it just sort of ends without any sense of conclusion. I can appreciate that the somewhat non-linear, vignette-style storytelling is likely due to both his young age at the time of many of these events and the trauma he sustained, but while I felt sometimes it was quite effective, others it was unclear and felt a little more like a first draft than a cohesive narrative. Glad to have read it, but it didn't hit quite as deeply as I'd expected.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
It's so easy to forget how good we have it in America. This book will remind you never to forget.
I don't know why I keep reading these books. Maybe I just want to understand war. I end up questioning the white editors' motivations and the veracity of the narrator. Beah's claim of photographic memory rang so many bullshit bells that I don't know why I kept reading. Still it is well written and on a topic the Western world needs to hear and see.
My favorite boy soldier story (Allah is not Obliged) makes no pretense at memoir. It's all fiction and all horrifying and...why doesn't it get more notice?
My favorite boy soldier story (Allah is not Obliged) makes no pretense at memoir. It's all fiction and all horrifying and...why doesn't it get more notice?
This book really was a great read, despite it's ability to depress me. The plight of so many children, boy soldiers and otherwise, can be so difficult. This puts things into perspective.
An inspiring book - shows the importance of friendship, family and perseverance. Heartbreaking at times, but the intrinsic good of humanity shows through.