A review by fuzzyhebrew
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

dark fast-paced

3.0

I listened to the audiobook, and that is the reason I am giving this three stars. The writing was great, the subject matter was difficult, but Ishmael unfortunately has a very flat unemotional reading voice which makes it harder to get invested in the book. He is so charismatic in interviews and I feel like if I were watching a video of him reading maybe it would be better. I truly appreciate him writing his story because it illuminates how atrocious war is. In his interviews he highlights how in a time of war, when your life is being threatened, you will do things that you would not ever think you can do. Yes, you, and yes, you will. I think that is an important message of the book. 
The other part of this story which resonated with me was the healing relationship with Ester. This woman spends her days working to help people with violent behaviors overcome immense trauma. I cannot imagine the emotional toll that would take. 
I would highly recommend this book if you are willing to read about this subject matter. Just read it on paper. 
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