Abrazar la vida: así sobreviví al genocidio tutsi en Ruanda

by Dydine Umunyana

Dydine Umunyana tenía 4 años cuando estalló el genocidio tutsi en Ruanda. Ella y su familia vivieron 100 días de masacre que dejaron a más de 800'000 víctimas mortales. Este libro cuenta su testimonio como sobreviviente al conflicto y el proceso que su familia y su país ha recorrido en los últimos 30 años; también su apuesta por la paz y la reconciliación.

262 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2024

Reviews

[Calzean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one powerful tale. Dydine's life has layer upon layer of survival against unchecked violence, loneliness and isolation.
As a 4 year-old Dydine, through the bravery of one man, escapes the first day of the Hutu genocide on their Tutsi countrymen. The first third of the book is about how she and her family were able to survive. After the 100 days of madness and reunited with their father, the family experiences even more trauma, violence and stress as the father suffers from PTSD and becomes an erratic, violent drunk. Dydine then has to also cope with her mother's frustrations, a lack of love from her parents, constant moving to new schools and homes, and the pressure of being the eldest child. At boarding school her fellow students relate their tales from the massacres in which her life seems to be okay by comparison and many are also suffering from extreme PTSD.
Then she has is an epiphany and starts to see survival as an opportunity, that hate is wasteful and life is about making the most of your talents to help others. The last couple of chapters are some of the more uplifting words of wisdom I have read.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this story. I have read a couple other books that focus on the Rwandan genocide (maybe just one other book) but they have always been written by outsiders so it was nice to read an account by someone who actually lived through it. It feels unfair for me to judge the writing when English is the author's 4th or 5th language and a language she did not pick up until her late teens, but if I am being fully honest, the writing is good but not GREAT. But the book is more about having her story told than the actual writing. It is a truly upsetting and troubling story, with lots of detailed descriptions of the horrors of the swift and brutal Rwandan genocide and its long lasting aftermath. People often ask why I so often read memoirs written by people who have experienced unimaginably horrible situations, and I think it is for two reasons: I think these stories are important to know and to acknowledge that these are realities that exist in the world and also because they always seem to radiate hope through the cracks.

[Michelle Emeneger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The copy I have is called Embrace Life: A Survivor’s Guide to Healing, Courage, and Hope. Dydine Umunyana Anderson wrote a powerful book about her unimaginable experience in Rwanda during the genocide of the Tutsi people. I was blessed to hear her speak at the Museum of Tolerance and found her to be a ray of light despite her horribly dark story. Writing such a deeply personal account of her life during this time takes so much courage and grit. She did an amazing job translating her thoughts, feelings, and truths to the pages of this book. I appreciate the message and the education.

[Deepak Kumar T A · Rating 5 out of 5]

We will strive for Africa, where children don't embrace survival, but embrace happiness and love, their face filled with smile and laughter, not with blood. The future will make all their dreams come true. Dreams of a prosperous and fulfilling career and a sophisticated life. Youth united as Africans, not fractured by clans, ethnicity or their gory evil hold. Africa will rise to a new dawn. A Dawn of prosperity. Africa's progress is inevitable, and it is important as we progress, we should be more civilized and cultured, showing empathy and love towards our fellow Africans, giving our next generation a peaceful and cherished life, without even allowing a hint of hatred, or the attitude that genocidal perpetrators had, which is important for a stable and peaceful Africa.

[Ali Gadzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible story!! 10/10 would recommend.

[Ashia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will re-read over and over

What an excellent writer Dydine is! Gripping story that sticks with you! I will recommend this book to everyone who’ll listen!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago at the Museum of Tolerance in LA, and don’t know why I didn’t read it sooner. With everything going on in Gaza, I saw it on my shelf and said now is the time. Dydine’s story is heart wrenching, but also inspiring. It’s not just a story of the tragedy that took place in Rwanda for 100 days beginning in April of 1994, but a story of the emotional wounds everyone had to take care of afterwards. I’ll end with a quote from Dydine herself; “I came to realize that one’s own life experiences are not theirs to keep, but ours to teach.”

[Juan Felipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un increíble relato de supervivencia y resiliencia, necesario para entender los horrores de la guerra y la intolerancia, una historia apasionante y un testimonio indispensable para entender la historia del conflicto racial.

[Norine Bullard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read I couldn’t put it down.

I really enjoyed this story. Heartbreaking but inspiring. History brought to life by a wonderful Story Teller. This was truly a good read.

[José Vicente · Rating 3 out of 5]

"La historia de mi país no es única. Ha habido genocidios en Alemania, Camboya, Bosnia, Armenia, y amenaza con repetirse hoy en Siria, Repúiblica Centroafricana, Sudán del Sur, Burundi y en muchos otros lugares del mundo. Las palabras no pueden describir con exactitud lo que sufrieron los ruandeses durante los días del genocidio contra los tutsis en 1994, pero he intentado escribir con honestidad sobre mi experiencia y sobre cuáles fueron las secuelas para los que sobrevivimos. Me di cuenta de que las experiencias vitales de cada uno no son suyas para conservarlas, sino nuestras para enseñarlas.

Creo que ahora es nuestro deber compartir lo que nos ocurrió y educar a tanta gente como podamos, con la esperanza de que no vuelva a ocurrirle a nadie más. Sé que aún queda mucho por hacer. La humanidad sigue maltratando y sigue siendo maltratada. Durante miles de años, la gente ha estado emigrando, moviéndose, huyendo, intentando encontrar un lugar al que llamar hogar, un lugar que pueda satisfacer sus necesidades y hacerles sentir seguros. Así ha sido siempre. Siempre habrá nuevas dificultades, retos y penurias para algunos; para otros, esperanza y nuevas oportunidades. Debemos ser sabios y compasivos para afrontar estos retos"