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 BOOK BRINGS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Book: A Long Way Gone ~ Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Author: Ishmael Beah
Review by: Kim Houlahan
In our community of Rothesay, just east of Saint John, we just wrapped up a community event called The Big Rothesay Read. The local high school and the community read A Long Way Gone. Memoirs of a boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah.
I read this book for several reasons; I wanted to be a part of this community read, I wanted to be able to discuss this book with my children, my colleagues and the community, it’s an important story and Ishmael Beah, the author, planned a visit to our community to discuss the book. In A LONG WAY GONE, according to the official website, “Beah, now twenty-six years old, tells a riveting story. At the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Eventually released by the army and sent to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, he struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion. This is, at last, a story of redemption and hope.”
I finished the book the same day the author came to speak and I have to say, Ishmael is an inspiration and defines the term “resilient”. I don’t think there is anyone more resilient that this man! It was moving to hear Ishmael tell us his story in person and answer the questions of the young and not so young from our community - people who struggled through the book, marveled at his transformation and came away with a strong desire to find ways to help so that other children are not drawn into war the way Ishmael was. Ishmael has dedicated his life to making a difference. Truly inspirational.
We’re always open to share a book review from a fellow coach, client or colleague. Have you read a book or found a website recently that you’d like to recommend? Please let us know!
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