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A review by verytwilly
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.25
The book makes interesting choices as to what to tell us and what not to as we follow along the journey. For example, we have quite a big exposition and falling action, with his time as a solider being relatively briefly explained. This may reflect the reality that the author didn’t remember everything perfectly, so some things he had more material to write than other aspects of his story. This may have also led to the embellishing or truth-stretching I’ve seen as critiques of the book.
Ultimately, I am currently of the belief that Beah makes all choices in his story deliberately and with a focus on the storytelling— the creation of an engaging narrative for the reader. This is evident to me for several reasons. The main storyline often blips back into some prior recollection associated with the current event, slowly giving us more information and fleshing out Ishmael’s previous life was providing juxtaposition to the present challenge in the narrative. There is also a focus on the importance of storytelling for his culture. This motif shows up several times and shows us how he reached the point of writing this story.
Finally, instead of having some satisfying ending for the story itself, where things are neatly wrapped up, he ends with one more story from his childhood about a common fable that was told and this really makes you question the meaning of that story and why he ended with it. You are left wondering and thinking about what it represents. In reality, I really appreciate this choice. We already know that things worked out in the end— after all, he wrote this book. He even starts with a prologue of him later on in New York City. Beah finishes the story with a lasting question for the reader instead of telling us what he know inevitably happens.
A Long Way Gone isn’t concerned with telling the reader every detail of the author’s experience, it seeks to show you just enough without being too heavy—handed with specifics along the way. Beah doesn’t shy away from the gruesome descriptions of war, but instead seeks to capture and reimagine them with fevered imagery that is cooled-off with glimpses into his childhood before the war.
Ultimately, I am currently of the belief that Beah makes all choices in his story deliberately and with a focus on the storytelling— the creation of an engaging narrative for the reader. This is evident to me for several reasons. The main storyline often blips back into some prior recollection associated with the current event, slowly giving us more information and fleshing out Ishmael’s previous life was providing juxtaposition to the present challenge in the narrative. There is also a focus on the importance of storytelling for his culture. This motif shows up several times and shows us how he reached the point of writing this story.
Finally, instead of having some satisfying ending for the story itself, where things are neatly wrapped up, he ends with one more story from his childhood about a common fable that was told and this really makes you question the meaning of that story and why he ended with it. You are left wondering and thinking about what it represents. In reality, I really appreciate this choice. We already know that things worked out in the end— after all, he wrote this book. He even starts with a prologue of him later on in New York City. Beah finishes the story with a lasting question for the reader instead of telling us what he know inevitably happens.
A Long Way Gone isn’t concerned with telling the reader every detail of the author’s experience, it seeks to show you just enough without being too heavy—handed with specifics along the way. Beah doesn’t shy away from the gruesome descriptions of war, but instead seeks to capture and reimagine them with fevered imagery that is cooled-off with glimpses into his childhood before the war.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and War
Minor: Sexual violence