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tatyanavogt's review
5.0
Okay, I don't even know what to say! I was afraid of reading this book and even considered unhauling it a time or two and I am SOOOO glad that I didn't because this is an amazing book and everyone should read it! This was a glimpse into a very different life and experience than my own, it was so heartbreaking, eye opening and heartwarming. I feel like I got a better understanding into something that I only had a vague understanding of and thought i knew but really didn't know and that was such an eye opening experience for me. I highly recommend this book!!
emilysummer_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
fexelli's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, War, Violence, Murder, Racism, Gun violence, Child death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
tungstenmouse's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A very heart-touching memoir. Sandra's words were very relatable and show that she was just like any child when she survived the Gatumba Massacre. It's written for younger readers but I believe many adults will enjoy her story as well.
alykat_reads's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
It really speaks to the absolute privilege (and ignorance) us Americans have that these atrocities are happening around the world, many of them funded and fueled by the USA itself, and we are blatantly unaware. I've learned more in the last 6 months than I have in the first 32 years of my life. We are purposely kept in the dark about all of these things, and waking up to that has been absolutely rage inducing. It has utterly changed my life and I am forever grateful for that because I refuse to bury my head in the sand any longer and pretend like the atrocities around the world have nothing to do with me and the culture I live in.
This was beautifully written, and listening to Sandra narrating it herself on audio made it all that much better. The emotions really came through and it really added to an already powerful narrative. The horrors she faced as a ten year old, and subsequently written about in such a mature (not the word I'm looking for here, but can't quite come up with the one I want) way 15 years later, it really shows the perseverance and grit of the Congolese people. It also really highlights how it's not like these places are "undeveloped" like they try to market to us - these are cities where people are established and have histories. The "western standard" aka imperial, capitalistic standard is not the end all be all. It's all I kept thinking throughout this - we do not have 'the best' way of life - unless we are talking about the way that destroys the planet and exploits people.
Free Congo
This was beautifully written, and listening to Sandra narrating it herself on audio made it all that much better. The emotions really came through and it really added to an already powerful narrative. The horrors she faced as a ten year old, and subsequently written about in such a mature (not the word I'm looking for here, but can't quite come up with the one I want) way 15 years later, it really shows the perseverance and grit of the Congolese people. It also really highlights how it's not like these places are "undeveloped" like they try to market to us - these are cities where people are established and have histories. The "western standard" aka imperial, capitalistic standard is not the end all be all. It's all I kept thinking throughout this - we do not have 'the best' way of life - unless we are talking about the way that destroys the planet and exploits people.
Free Congo
reflectiverambling_nalana's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Wow. Just wow. Such a strong person, voice, and series of experiences. I loved how this balanced its focus between experiences, those of trauma, love, sacrifice, self care, family, society, and everything in between. From the summary it is easy to be prepared for the issues that come from being a war refugee. What stuck with me more was the unique perspective of someone being part of and outside of so many of the things that happened to her, how she existed in and out of so many spaces in the moments she was there. This includes all of the issues after immigration as well, of how her position in her family was shifting the same time it was in society, and how she balanced life socially and privately. Very poignant. Very brave. There is simply no way this could not do as she hopes in her afterword. I can easily see this empowering others to tell their own narratives of their experiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Hate crime, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Genocide, Rape, Medical content, Racial slurs, Racism, Kidnapping, and Bullying