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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 12, 2011
A powerful, scary, sad, searing and courageous memoir. I was a human rights observer for Peace Brigades International in Guatemala for four months in 2004, and no book has captured the fear, dread and overwhelming experience of being in that dirt poor, violent and corrupt country better than "When I Was Elena". And I was just an observer for four months, experiencing members of the human rights organizations I was accompanying have members disappeared or found in mass graves. Mrs. Hiltebrand stayed there for over two years as part of the Peace Corps when a VAST majority of her American colleagues bailed well before their full term was up. And for good reason.
I totally support and was awed by the author's unique style in this book, of following every chapter of her own experience with a story of what she thought, based on lots of observation, happened to key people she was with after the author left the site. The greater point is that so many people, especially in countries like Guatemala, don't have their own voice. They are alive and forcefully silenced - or dead.
This is vivid, totally heartfelt writing that doesn't pull any punches. More of it desperately needs to be written, especially when so many people in our country rail against illegal immigrants - immigrants coming from countries like Guatemala and Mexico, countries which have horrific human rights records and deep, widespread poverty.
I totally support and was awed by the author's unique style in this book, of following every chapter of her own experience with a story of what she thought, based on lots of observation, happened to key people she was with after the author left the site. The greater point is that so many people, especially in countries like Guatemala, don't have their own voice. They are alive and forcefully silenced - or dead.
This is vivid, totally heartfelt writing that doesn't pull any punches. More of it desperately needs to be written, especially when so many people in our country rail against illegal immigrants - immigrants coming from countries like Guatemala and Mexico, countries which have horrific human rights records and deep, widespread poverty.
July 21, 2011
This book was so good that as soon as I finished it (crying of course) I turned right back to the first page and started reading it again.
This is the story of Ellen Urbani, privileged American southern girl, who joins the Peace Corp and goes to Guatemala. She may have been wearing Laura Ashley but this is one tough young woman, very smart, persistent, brave and idealistic enough to stay through her whole 2 years working to make things better for the people of Guatemala, especially the children. She really made a smart decision when she adopted a puppy and kept that dog by her side. Her time in Guatemala was really, really hard; and it would have been a whole lot worse without her dog. She deals with things like snakes, scorpions, very primitive hygiene, parasites and disease, police corruption, sexual assualt and war. No matter what she encountered she persisted. I have so much admiration for Elena (as she was known in Guatemala), the women of Guatemala that she writes about, her devoted and loyal dog Calixta and the other Peace Corp volunteers all over the world. An amazing story, thank you for sharing it with me.
I read this book to give away in a book crossing memoir book box. Now I am not sure if I can let it go. I may need to buy a copy (got this one at the Seattle Public Library sale) as I both want to share it and keep it.
This is the story of Ellen Urbani, privileged American southern girl, who joins the Peace Corp and goes to Guatemala. She may have been wearing Laura Ashley but this is one tough young woman, very smart, persistent, brave and idealistic enough to stay through her whole 2 years working to make things better for the people of Guatemala, especially the children. She really made a smart decision when she adopted a puppy and kept that dog by her side. Her time in Guatemala was really, really hard; and it would have been a whole lot worse without her dog. She deals with things like snakes, scorpions, very primitive hygiene, parasites and disease, police corruption, sexual assualt and war. No matter what she encountered she persisted. I have so much admiration for Elena (as she was known in Guatemala), the women of Guatemala that she writes about, her devoted and loyal dog Calixta and the other Peace Corp volunteers all over the world. An amazing story, thank you for sharing it with me.
I read this book to give away in a book crossing memoir book box. Now I am not sure if I can let it go. I may need to buy a copy (got this one at the Seattle Public Library sale) as I both want to share it and keep it.
April 29, 2016
This was a very well written and interesting memoir of a young womans two years as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Guatemala along with her dog Cali a young German Shepard she had picked up in Guatemala city
She had a lot of both wonderful and not so wonderful experiences, during her time there.
When she first got to Guatemala her fellow Peace Corps volunteers bet that she would be the first to fail and leave early, but she ended up proving them wrong.
What made this memoir unusual for me was that in between her story, she told the story of seven different, and all fascinating women that she had met and had befriended. In each of these womens chapters we get a sense of what it was like in their own lives, and that of their families, and then also what they thought of Elena when they first met her and as they got to know her.
I enjoyed hearing about a trip she did to Antigua at Easter, and talking about some places I know. If you love memoirs and love to get into other peoples minds, this is a book you will really enjoy.
She had a lot of both wonderful and not so wonderful experiences, during her time there.
When she first got to Guatemala her fellow Peace Corps volunteers bet that she would be the first to fail and leave early, but she ended up proving them wrong.
What made this memoir unusual for me was that in between her story, she told the story of seven different, and all fascinating women that she had met and had befriended. In each of these womens chapters we get a sense of what it was like in their own lives, and that of their families, and then also what they thought of Elena when they first met her and as they got to know her.
I enjoyed hearing about a trip she did to Antigua at Easter, and talking about some places I know. If you love memoirs and love to get into other peoples minds, this is a book you will really enjoy.
April 7, 2010
When I first started this memoir, I was put off by the awkward, overwrought language of the opening chapter, but as the story progressed, the writing became more natural, less labored, and I found myself hooked. The author bravely presents herself, warts and all, as she suffers the trials and tribulations of 2 years in Guatemala, serving in the Peace Corps. She starts out as a naive, underprepared novice and grows into a strong and resilient woman who overcomes many challenges. I enjoyed the author's humor. At times, I found her perspective still somewhat limited by her cultural upbringing and was confused as to whether the author herself had written the "narratives" by Guatemalan women or whether the women had written them themselves. I was troubled by the thought that if it was the former, the author was making too many assumptions about their point of view and robbing them of their voice. I hoped it was the latter, but because this wasn't made clear, I couldn't fully embrace those sections. Very illuminating about life in rural Guatemala. It made me realize I may be way too soft for Peace Corps life! I respect the author's strength.
October 30, 2012
Urbani is a talented writer, but as a PCV I found her story-telling kind of offensive... every other chapter was written from the point of view of a person from her site, describing perceptions of her that very well could have been wrong. I was waiting for some sort of Acknowledgement or postscript about interviews with these people or some basis for how she put words in their mouths, but nothing. There is also very little explanation as to why she switched sites at least two times, which is very strange for a PCV.
February 11, 2008
Normally a pretty fast reader, but this book stopped me in my tracks--in a good way! Urbani is so eloquent with her prose that every word begs attention and careful consideration. This unconventional memoir, told in the voices of several women, made me laugh and weep and wish I were half as strong as Elena.
June 27, 2008
I savored this book. It was easy to relate the author's tellings to my own Peace Corps experience. I felt like I could have made some of her statements myself!
I really enjoyed hearing her story and learning about her relationships through the eyes of the people she came to know in Guatemala. Beautifully written.
I really enjoyed hearing her story and learning about her relationships through the eyes of the people she came to know in Guatemala. Beautifully written.
June 4, 2009
The most interesting thing about this book was having Ellen Urbani come to our book group. She lives in Portland and is also an art therapist. I never would have chosen this book on my own but am happy to have read it.
October 4, 2020
Wow, this book was incredible. It gave me an honest, liberating, and hopeful look inside becoming a peace corps volunteer. This book was heartbreaking at times, but I truly felt that I got the real inside look of what it is like to be in the peace corps outside from just reading stories on their website. Thank you Ellen for this amazing read!
January 27, 2008
This is a story of a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala in the early 1990s. It's the story of an amazing experience! It has moments full of hope and joy, moments of tension and fear, moments of hopelessness, and moments that were hilarious!
January 6, 2013
It's a wonderful capturing well written book.Ellen's writing is illustrative and it makes you feel you're actually with her.It's an inspirational book studying realities of service in the Peace Corps.
The experience is amazing and the positive difference she made to people there is impressing.
The experience is amazing and the positive difference she made to people there is impressing.
July 23, 2016
book group
September 17, 2015
Elena
A very heartwarming and beautiful story, full of sadness, realities and joy. Elena beautifully demonstrates women's strength and perseverance. Enjoy!
A very heartwarming and beautiful story, full of sadness, realities and joy. Elena beautifully demonstrates women's strength and perseverance. Enjoy!
December 31, 2015
Loved this book. Sad and wonderful all at the same time. I have already read several chapters over again.
May 28, 2019
The best book I have ever read.
May 24, 2010
AMAZING! Terrifying, but wonderful. Definitely one to read & enjoy!
January 10, 2011
Fascinating! So well written! Interesting perspective of serving in the Peace Corps.
March 6, 2019
I thought this was an interesting book, and I would have rated it higher if not for the fictional thoughts the author gave to the woman she met while in the peace corps. Frankly, I found her obvious self-praise a little off-putting and obnoxious.
I also felt that the author was not open about her transfers and why they happened, it seems like we finished the book without getting the full picture of her experiences. I give her credit for finishing her commitment, but I wish she was more forthcoming about her mistakes and what/if anything she learned along the way.
I also felt that the author was not open about her transfers and why they happened, it seems like we finished the book without getting the full picture of her experiences. I give her credit for finishing her commitment, but I wish she was more forthcoming about her mistakes and what/if anything she learned along the way.
June 27, 2023
SO GOOD! Heartbreaking and inspiring. I loved how the author told each part of the story from both Elena's perspective and from the perspective of the other women. Her ability to develop and enrich characters by telling two people's perspective on the same situation is beautiful.
June 17, 2019
Nonfiction.
March 20, 2022
I loved this book and how the author changed the perspective with each chapter!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews