Ishmael Beah

This book punches you in the gut from the very beginning. A war torn land. Running for his life at 12 years old. Seeing the most vile acts of violence and depravity. Forcibly recruited as a solider and committing those violent and deprave acts. And then being rehabilitated.

I can't even imagine the things Ishmael Beah experienced. His experiences hurt my heart and brought tears to my eyes, for him and for all the innocent people who have to suffer. It makes me feel guilty for the life I show more have. Not that I have it, but that they don't.

I am happy Ishmael's story ends on a positive note, but so many, including friends and enemies of Ishmael, ended tragically. show less

I heard Ishmael Beah speak when he was a student at Oberlin College several years ago. A one time child soldier from Sierra Leone, he spoke about the power of language to express the nature of a culture. In this work of fiction, Beah tells the story of people returning to their village after the ravages of war had driven them to flee. As they trickle back, the author is able to convey a deep understanding of cultural beliefs about family, about the lasting imprint of war on their psyches, show more about "the radiance of tomorrow" otherwise known as hope, and the deeply felt need to pass cultural tenets from generation to generation. The prose is simple, evocative, and profound. A marvelous read! show less

In 1993, 12-year-old Ishmael Beah went with his brother and friends to visit family and perform rap music. The civil war in Sierra Leone, up to that point just a story in their village, quickly becomes a part of their lives as they find themselves on the run. This is Ishmael's story growing up as a teenager and being forced to participate in war.

Such as heart-wrenching story is hard to read but so very important. When I read stories halfway across the world that throw out numbers and show more statistics, it's hard to put a human face on that kind of suffering, but that's exactly what Ishmael's memoir does. I would not be surprised to learn if writing out such a terrifying experience was cathartic for him as well, and I'm amazed by the courage it takes to share such a story with the world. There were moments where the narrative sounded "off" - maybe because he's not a native speaker of English? - though after awhile I just went with the rhythm and stopped noticing. I wouldn't read it through again, and at times it was hard for me to read even 50 pages at a time, but wow. What a powerful story. show less

Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone is an incredible read for its attention to several world issues. In an interview with Beah, he states that one of his objectives for this novel is to teach that there is nothing romantic about war, and he accomplishes this goal. This novel follows Ishmael Beah (now 35 years old), through his experience as a child soldier at age 12, during the civil war that broke out in Sierra Leone. It contrasts his earlier years of life that appeared rather happy in previous show more childhood years against the brutality of war that involves violence, drugs, and PTSD. The book transitions into his experiences coming out of war when rescued by UNICEF, and the way in which others treat him with compassion and patience throughout this process. This is a very moving and honest read that brings attention to controversial topics that deserve discussion. Although graphic in many areas, I think this is a very effective novel that is worth the read by yourself or with a class. show less