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Inside the Hotel Rwanda: The Surprising True Story ... and Why It Matters Today
In 2004, the Academy Award?nominated movie "Hotel Rwanda" lionized hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina for single-handedly saving the lives of all who sought refuge in the Hotel des Milles Collines during RwandaOCOs genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Because of the film, the real-life Rusesabagina has been compared to Oskar Schindler, but unbeknownst to the public, the hotelOCOs refugees donOCOt endorse RusesabaginaOCOs version of the events.
In the wake of "Hotel Rwanda"OCOs international success, Rusesabagina is one of the most well-known Rwandans and now the smiling face of the very Hutu Power groups who drove the genocide. He is accused by the Rwandan prosecutor general of being a genocide negationist and funding the terrorist group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
In "Inside the Hotel Rwanda," survivor Edouard Kayihura tells his own personal story of what life was really like during those harrowing 100 days within the walls of that infamous hotel and offers the testimonies of others who survived there, from Hutu and Tutsi to UN peacekeepers. Kayihura tells of his life in a divided society and his journey to the place he believed would be safe from slaughter.
"Inside the Hotel Rwanda" exposes Paul Rusesabagina as a profiteering, politically ambitious Hutu Power sympathizer who extorted money from those who sought refuge, threatening to send those who did not pay to the genocidaires, despite pleas from the hotelOCOs corporate ownership to stop.
"Inside the Hotel Rwanda" is at once a memoir, a critical deconstruction of a heralded Hollywood movie alleged to be factual, and a political analysis aimed at exposing a falsely created hero using his fame to be a political force, spouting the same ethnic apartheid that caused the genocide two decades ago."
In the wake of "Hotel Rwanda"OCOs international success, Rusesabagina is one of the most well-known Rwandans and now the smiling face of the very Hutu Power groups who drove the genocide. He is accused by the Rwandan prosecutor general of being a genocide negationist and funding the terrorist group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
In "Inside the Hotel Rwanda," survivor Edouard Kayihura tells his own personal story of what life was really like during those harrowing 100 days within the walls of that infamous hotel and offers the testimonies of others who survived there, from Hutu and Tutsi to UN peacekeepers. Kayihura tells of his life in a divided society and his journey to the place he believed would be safe from slaughter.
"Inside the Hotel Rwanda" exposes Paul Rusesabagina as a profiteering, politically ambitious Hutu Power sympathizer who extorted money from those who sought refuge, threatening to send those who did not pay to the genocidaires, despite pleas from the hotelOCOs corporate ownership to stop.
"Inside the Hotel Rwanda" is at once a memoir, a critical deconstruction of a heralded Hollywood movie alleged to be factual, and a political analysis aimed at exposing a falsely created hero using his fame to be a political force, spouting the same ethnic apartheid that caused the genocide two decades ago."
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 1, 2015
Torn. That is all I can say. The book started out promising-I gained a great deal of knowledge I could use in my classroom from a firsthand account of the genocide. For that I applaud Mr. Kayihura for speaking out and sharing his story. Stories, true firsthand stories, help teach history and prevent future violence. But, stories are stories, and one must remember that everyone's story will differ because of their own personal beliefs and feelings. I was eager to read this book as I do not like Hollywood movies that portray historic events. In fact, I spend a great deal of time teaching about this in my Vietnam Era class-analyzing how poorly war movies are made, even by directors who are veterans of those wars, and then we ask our veteran guest speaker their opinions. Guess what-the opinions vary as they should. I was never a fan of the movie Hotel Rwanda, as compared to other films about the genocide, I thought it did not give an accurate account of the brutality of the genocide. I feared my students would walk away thinking everyone holed up in a hotel and was saved because one man could pay off the enemy. Instead, films like Sometimes in April gave a more powerful understanding of the violence that really occurred (problem is we tend to bar kids in the U.S. from viewing true violence like that in U.S. schools and end up sugarcoating history in the end for them). We will never know who is telling the truth but I don't think that is the important piece here. Instead, I look back on Paul Rusesabagina's book, this book, the film, Paul Gourevitch's book, and other media I have researched and these points are clear:
1. Genocide is still a threat-even in Rwanda.
2. What is the Western world doing to acknowledge their lack of involvement in preventing it or their role in aiding it? France and the U.S. have really not admitted or learned any lessons from this event.
I found a great deal of valuable information for my classroom, until about page 190 when the book to me took a propaganda spin. I felt Mr. Kayihura was too free in praising Kagame and the RPF. I fear such free praise without any fault finding is dangerous. The Russians were "liberators" during WWII, but there are many people who will tell you their "liberation" came at a hrrible cost to the hands of the Russians. I am not sure if we do research, that Kagame is as innocent and great a leader as Kayihura portrays him. This worries me. I am also glad that Rwanda is progressing-isn't that what we all hope? But this book made it seem as if no problems exist there- another red flag.
I would suggest this book but would also encourage further research into reading his sources as well as others for balance and authenticity.
Glad at least, the story was told. Would love to hear from others now that the platform has been laid-especially from many of the people whose names he dropped in the book. Odette? Christophe?
1. Genocide is still a threat-even in Rwanda.
2. What is the Western world doing to acknowledge their lack of involvement in preventing it or their role in aiding it? France and the U.S. have really not admitted or learned any lessons from this event.
I found a great deal of valuable information for my classroom, until about page 190 when the book to me took a propaganda spin. I felt Mr. Kayihura was too free in praising Kagame and the RPF. I fear such free praise without any fault finding is dangerous. The Russians were "liberators" during WWII, but there are many people who will tell you their "liberation" came at a hrrible cost to the hands of the Russians. I am not sure if we do research, that Kagame is as innocent and great a leader as Kayihura portrays him. This worries me. I am also glad that Rwanda is progressing-isn't that what we all hope? But this book made it seem as if no problems exist there- another red flag.
I would suggest this book but would also encourage further research into reading his sources as well as others for balance and authenticity.
Glad at least, the story was told. Would love to hear from others now that the platform has been laid-especially from many of the people whose names he dropped in the book. Odette? Christophe?
June 18, 2016
This information needs to be heard. I read this book because after reading some of Paul Rusesabagina's memoir I knew for sure that he wasn't the person he wants people to believe he is/ the person everyone who watched Hotel Rwanda thinks he is and that somewhere out there the real truth existed. This is that truth. Learn the truth behind the Hotel Rwanda movie here.
April 1, 2014
Full review: http://bookjunkiereview.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-inside-hotel-rwanda-by.html
For most people who know about the Rwandan genocide in 1994, they first learned about it by the Academy Award nominated 2004 film Hotel Rwanda staring Don Cheadle—who was nominated for Best Actor—portrays Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the Hotel Milles Collines who single handily saved over 1500 people who sought refuge inside the luxury hotel. He was named the Oskar Schindler of Africa and dubbed a hero by the world. But as the cliché goes, you can’t believe everything you see, especially a Hollywood film. Edouard Kayihura escaped the Hutu extremists and made his way to the hotel. What he saw and experienced was the complete opposite from the film with Rusesabagina threatening to kick out anyone who didn’t pay and drinking with the men responsible for orchestrating the genocide. The hundreds of people, both Hutu and Tutsis alike, have to survive the killings and terror from both the outside and within.
When I began reading Inside the Hotel Rwanda, I wasn’t able to put it down. The harrowing stories of survival from within the hotel were heart wrenching as survivors struggled day after day for food and drinking the chlorine pool water while Rusesabagina drank the day away with the money he extorted from the people themselves. It was confusing at times while I read and sometimes, I had to go back and re-read the passages. That being said, it not only made me furious, but it was also deeply moving to read about the real heroes of the story, from the UN peacekeepers keeping guard, to the ordinary individuals who risked their lives in bringing people to the hotel, and the camaraderie built regardless of ethnicity. Right after I read Shake Hands with the Devil, written by Romeo Dallaire, commander of the UN mission during the genocide in Rwanda, (A book I highly recommend) I saw the film and was able to point out the inaccuracies of the events and misrepresentation of characters. I do owe some credit to the film in first learning about Rwanda, but still.
Inside the Hotel Rwanda is a riveting expose of a so-called hero that Hollywood created and an examination of how it came to be. It is also a deeply moving tribute for the million or so Rwandans killed, the survivors who endured the horror of the genocide, and the brave individuals who risked their lives for the very sake of humanity and who are finally getting their own long-overdue
For most people who know about the Rwandan genocide in 1994, they first learned about it by the Academy Award nominated 2004 film Hotel Rwanda staring Don Cheadle—who was nominated for Best Actor—portrays Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the Hotel Milles Collines who single handily saved over 1500 people who sought refuge inside the luxury hotel. He was named the Oskar Schindler of Africa and dubbed a hero by the world. But as the cliché goes, you can’t believe everything you see, especially a Hollywood film. Edouard Kayihura escaped the Hutu extremists and made his way to the hotel. What he saw and experienced was the complete opposite from the film with Rusesabagina threatening to kick out anyone who didn’t pay and drinking with the men responsible for orchestrating the genocide. The hundreds of people, both Hutu and Tutsis alike, have to survive the killings and terror from both the outside and within.
When I began reading Inside the Hotel Rwanda, I wasn’t able to put it down. The harrowing stories of survival from within the hotel were heart wrenching as survivors struggled day after day for food and drinking the chlorine pool water while Rusesabagina drank the day away with the money he extorted from the people themselves. It was confusing at times while I read and sometimes, I had to go back and re-read the passages. That being said, it not only made me furious, but it was also deeply moving to read about the real heroes of the story, from the UN peacekeepers keeping guard, to the ordinary individuals who risked their lives in bringing people to the hotel, and the camaraderie built regardless of ethnicity. Right after I read Shake Hands with the Devil, written by Romeo Dallaire, commander of the UN mission during the genocide in Rwanda, (A book I highly recommend) I saw the film and was able to point out the inaccuracies of the events and misrepresentation of characters. I do owe some credit to the film in first learning about Rwanda, but still.
Inside the Hotel Rwanda is a riveting expose of a so-called hero that Hollywood created and an examination of how it came to be. It is also a deeply moving tribute for the million or so Rwandans killed, the survivors who endured the horror of the genocide, and the brave individuals who risked their lives for the very sake of humanity and who are finally getting their own long-overdue
January 2, 2014
For the first time, I found a book with lots of information about the situation in Rwanda. In online sources, the information is usually conflicting and there is no consistency in the information. A great read!
May 28, 2014
Really interesting look into politics in Rwanda, the power that Hollywood has over international affairs, and truly unique insight into a man who has taken so many people for fools.
September 27, 2018
I am currently reading this book. It beats my understanding a great deal when everyone here thinks that Kayihura's account is the gold standard of what really happened at that hotel. What a shame! How judgmental could you all get with all the reading material and ability at your disposal? Many of you forget that there are so many forces at play - politics ranking No.1. I believe there could have been some mishaps in the Hotel Rwanda movie and Paul Rusesabagina's autobiography, but that doesn't discredit his account of events. On record, the Rwandan president has never liked Rusesabagina because he critiques his works, something (the president) has never taken in good faith regardless of who is offering it at a given time. He is known to gag and apprehend all opposition figures in that small country and mudsling them with false accusations including nudity. He is a political bully using all there is in his power and influence to subdue other people's opinions. Let's all give each of the tellers a benefit of doubt, as there could be some truth to their stories. Nevertheless, we need to look further and read more than what the PR gurus portray about my beautiful motherland!
April 12, 2014
A truly compelling book. It deconstructs the myth set out in the movie Hotel Rwanda, that Paul Rubesagina (the hotel manager played by Don Cheadle) was a saviour. Written by an extraordinary survivor of the Rwandan genocide, a Tutsi who made it to the Hotel des milles collines after the genocide started, the author's description of the beginning of the genocide, the palpable terror as he hid in his friend's house, the terrifying trip to the hotel - incredible. Then, he describes the fear in the hotel - much of it caused by Rubesagina, who demands money, takes and resells the Red Cross food, forces the survivors to drink chlorinated water from the pool when they have no money. It is also a great portrayal of the role of Romeo Dallaire and the UN peacekeepers. It then describes the hatred and lies now being spread by Rubesagina, and the mistake we in the West have made by believing the Hollywood movie. I highly recommend.
December 13, 2014
Tries to dispel the truth of the movie "Hotel Rwanda". Succeeds in some parts, doesn't succeed in others. Reads like gossip from a bitter ex. I'd still recommend it, though, because it does give a good general glimpse into the politics of Rwanda and the "race" relations there. Makes the race-baiters in America look like P***IES. "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" turns into, "Sit Down, Shut Up, You Know Nothing About Suffering".
September 16, 2014
Interesting survivor's account of the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. If accurate, it debunks the premise of the movie, Hotel Rwanda, that the manager of the hotel was the savior of the Tutsis. The story of the genocide is compelling, but then the focus on bashing the hotel manager gets tiresome after a while.
July 27, 2015
Reading this book really makes me regret showing the movie "Hotel Rwanda" so many times to my classes over the last decade! Rusesabagina, according to this author, seems like a real con artist who has profited so much from Western gullibility and misinformation. At the same time, he seems to overly praise current president Paul Kagame, who many have accused of replacing one dictatorship with another. I felt like the author attacked Rusesabagina repetitively, saying some things over and over again. However, I do like that he uses many different sources (except for the Wikipedia ones) as evidence for his opinion. Reading this will definitely change my lesson plans on the movie "Hotel Rwanda." It was nice to finally read the perspective of an actual survivor and am surprised it has taken this long for a Milles Collines survivor to be published in the West. This is a must read for anyone who teaches the Rwandan genocide!
April 22, 2014
Interesting book, though half of the book was devoted to pointing out the flaws in Hotel Rwanda and I would have rather just seen this through the storytelling rather than being told. I did appreciated learning his view though and definitely want to research it more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
Incredible first hand account of the authors experience during the Rwanda genocide. Appreciated the author provided Rwanda’s political and social status since the genocide.
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September 24, 2014Inside the Hotel Rwanda: The surprising true Story, and Why it still Matters Today, by Edouard Kayihura, and Kerry Zukus, Narrated by Mirron Willis, Produced by Audio Studios, downloaded from audible.com.
I didn’t see the film “Hotel Rwanda” released in 2004, but I very much believe the author’s description of the harrowing experience of living there for the 100-day war. The publisher’s note describes this book well:
In 2004, the Academy Award-nominated movie Hotel Rwanda lionized hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina for single-handedly saving the lives of all who sought
refuge in the Hotel des Mille Collines during Rwanda’s genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Because of the film, the real-life Rusesabagina has been compared
to Oskar Schindler, but unbeknownst to the public, the hotel’s refugees do not endorse Rusesabagina’s version of the events. In the wake of Hotel Rwanda’s
international success, Rusesabagina is one of the most well-known Rwandans, and now, he represents the smiling face of the very Hutu Power groups who drove the genocide.
He is accused by the Rwandan prosecutor general of being a genocide negationist and funding the terrorist group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of
Rwanda (FDLR). For the first time, learn what really happened inside the walls of Hotel des Mille Collines. In Inside the Hotel Rwanda, survivor Edouard
Kayihura tells his own personal story of what life was really like during those harrowing days within the walls of that infamous hotel and offers the testimonies
of others who survived there, from Hutu and Tutsi to UN peacekeepers. Kayihura writes of a divided society and his journey to the place he believed would
be safe from slaughter. The book exposes the Hollywood hero of the film Hotel Rwanda, Paul Rusesabagina, as a profiteering and politically ambitious Hutu
Power sympathizer who extorted money from those who sought refuge, threatening to send those who did not pay to the génocidaires, despite pleas from the
Hotel’s corporate ownership to stop. Inside the Hotel Rwanda is at once a memoir, a critical deconstruction of a heralded Hollywood movie alleged to be
factual, and a political analysis aimed at exposing a falsely created hero using his fame to be a political force, spouting the same ethnic apartheid that
caused the genocide two decades ago.
I didn’t see the film “Hotel Rwanda” released in 2004, but I very much believe the author’s description of the harrowing experience of living there for the 100-day war. The publisher’s note describes this book well:
In 2004, the Academy Award-nominated movie Hotel Rwanda lionized hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina for single-handedly saving the lives of all who sought
refuge in the Hotel des Mille Collines during Rwanda’s genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Because of the film, the real-life Rusesabagina has been compared
to Oskar Schindler, but unbeknownst to the public, the hotel’s refugees do not endorse Rusesabagina’s version of the events. In the wake of Hotel Rwanda’s
international success, Rusesabagina is one of the most well-known Rwandans, and now, he represents the smiling face of the very Hutu Power groups who drove the genocide.
He is accused by the Rwandan prosecutor general of being a genocide negationist and funding the terrorist group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of
Rwanda (FDLR). For the first time, learn what really happened inside the walls of Hotel des Mille Collines. In Inside the Hotel Rwanda, survivor Edouard
Kayihura tells his own personal story of what life was really like during those harrowing days within the walls of that infamous hotel and offers the testimonies
of others who survived there, from Hutu and Tutsi to UN peacekeepers. Kayihura writes of a divided society and his journey to the place he believed would
be safe from slaughter. The book exposes the Hollywood hero of the film Hotel Rwanda, Paul Rusesabagina, as a profiteering and politically ambitious Hutu
Power sympathizer who extorted money from those who sought refuge, threatening to send those who did not pay to the génocidaires, despite pleas from the
Hotel’s corporate ownership to stop. Inside the Hotel Rwanda is at once a memoir, a critical deconstruction of a heralded Hollywood movie alleged to be
factual, and a political analysis aimed at exposing a falsely created hero using his fame to be a political force, spouting the same ethnic apartheid that
caused the genocide two decades ago.
November 2, 2023
I give the book four stars, but I am not fully happy about it.
I highly recommend reading the chapter "Return to Moonscape." Quiet, subtle, but hit your brain like a hurricane in the most unexpected way.
My problem with the book is the comment Edouard makes on genocide reflection. It's sad to see that he has to compare with Holocaust to make audiences (especially Western audiences) understand the pain. Sadder that he literally has to go out "thanking" Hollywood for make such a truth-twisted movie or else the International would not know the genocide in Rwanda. What a fucked-up world we live in.
More importantly, although I respect Edouard's work on raising genocide awareness, I can't help but noticing his lack of knowledge (or sensitivity) on genocide happened outside Rwanda and Europe. It makes sense since he was written mostly for Western audiences, but can anyone tell me why he makes comments on Japan and it's role in WWII? Why Edouard says something like
"……involved in a world War seventy years ago, but not an internal genocide?"
Are you fking serious?!!! Don't you dare you say such a word in front of any Chinese and particular Chinese from Nanjing, in which a city was literally wiped out an entire generation by Japan military?
Now you understand why I have conflicted even angry feelings about this book. I come from a country suffering from genocide no less than Jews in Germany or Rwandans in 1994. Hell not just China but also South East Asia suffered a lot from the Japanese during the second World War. And Mr.Edouard think Japan is forgivable bc they don't start "internal genocide"? How do you define the term "internal"?
I still appreciate Edouard's record on his days during the genocide, but I can't help shaking away the feelings that by doing so he is actually following the exact footsteps like those Westerners once did when Rwanda genocide happened: they only focused on things important to then but ignorant of the whole world.
I highly recommend reading the chapter "Return to Moonscape." Quiet, subtle, but hit your brain like a hurricane in the most unexpected way.
My problem with the book is the comment Edouard makes on genocide reflection. It's sad to see that he has to compare with Holocaust to make audiences (especially Western audiences) understand the pain. Sadder that he literally has to go out "thanking" Hollywood for make such a truth-twisted movie or else the International would not know the genocide in Rwanda. What a fucked-up world we live in.
More importantly, although I respect Edouard's work on raising genocide awareness, I can't help but noticing his lack of knowledge (or sensitivity) on genocide happened outside Rwanda and Europe. It makes sense since he was written mostly for Western audiences, but can anyone tell me why he makes comments on Japan and it's role in WWII? Why Edouard says something like
"……involved in a world War seventy years ago, but not an internal genocide?"
Are you fking serious?!!! Don't you dare you say such a word in front of any Chinese and particular Chinese from Nanjing, in which a city was literally wiped out an entire generation by Japan military?
Now you understand why I have conflicted even angry feelings about this book. I come from a country suffering from genocide no less than Jews in Germany or Rwandans in 1994. Hell not just China but also South East Asia suffered a lot from the Japanese during the second World War. And Mr.Edouard think Japan is forgivable bc they don't start "internal genocide"? How do you define the term "internal"?
I still appreciate Edouard's record on his days during the genocide, but I can't help shaking away the feelings that by doing so he is actually following the exact footsteps like those Westerners once did when Rwanda genocide happened: they only focused on things important to then but ignorant of the whole world.
May 10, 2020
A really interesting read that counters the perspective presented by Paul Rusesabagina in his memoir/ the film Hotel Rwanda. In saying that - this also read as a persuasive piece. It is clearly biased and written in order to discredit Paul as well as to tell his own version of events as a survivor of the Milles Collines. I certainly now have my doubts and concerns regarding Rusesabagina’s version of events. This investigation/memoir is supported with strong evidence and is well written. In saying that - there is also clear personal bias and this should be considered when reading. For a more balanced overview read We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families which was written shortly after the Genocide and gives a more balanced overview of events (while this focuses specifically on the experience of those at the Milles Collines and refuting claims made by Paul Rusesabagina regarding his role in “saving” the refugees who survived there).
June 25, 2016
Important reading. While the movie "Hotel Rwanda" made the Rwandan genocide of 1994 a real thing to those of us who didn't even know about it beforehand, this book sets the record straight about what is the real version and what is the Hollywood version. Having read Paul Rusesabagina's book "An Ordinary Man" after seeing the movie, I became more interested in this part of history than any before, and read several other books about it by different types of people. When I heard about this one, I couldn't wait to read it. This is the first book to really tell it from the inside and expose the myths that the movie showed as truth, and it shows how little research was done before going ahead with the movie, making the wrong people look like the heroes and changing events around to keep it looking that way.
August 23, 2017
Everyone should read this book, especially if you saw the movie Hotel Rwanda which claims to be a true story but is full of lies! The man who took over as hotel manager shortly after the genocide began, who the movie made out to be a hero, is a lying, hate-filled egomaniac that is using his stardom to try take Rwanda, a remarkable country full of unity and reconciliation, back to a place of division and hate. The author, a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi people, sets the record straight in this very compelling and interesting book.
October 11, 2018
If you have seen the movie, Hotel Rwanda, then this book should be required reading. It gives a more complete examination of the events that happened during the Rwanda genocide, the making of the movie, and the claims of Paul Rusesabagina before, during, and after the movie was made. Kayihura argues with much support from others that the movie is not a very accurate portrayal of what transpired at the hotel or of Rusesabagina. I appreciate the research that went into the book and how readily available he makes the sources of his information.
April 19, 2018
I'm so glad I was able to find this memoir and read it. I always thought "Hotel Rwanda" was the real story about what happened, but clearly it wasn't. I can't wait to share this book with my family and friends! Mr. Kayihura, I'm so glad you survived and are able to keep sharing the truth about Rwanda!
September 21, 2019
I couldn’t finish the last few chapters. The author ‘s dislike of Paul Ruseabagina permeates every page of the book, and really gets in the way of telling his story.
September 22, 2025
In 1994 the Rwanda genocide was waged against the Tusi minority. It was a planned campaign of mass murder over the course of a 100 days. It is estimated that some 200,000 Hutu, spurred on by propaganda, participated in the genocide killing more than 800,000 civilians. In 2004, the film Hotel Rwanda was released, painting a heroic picture of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who was lauded as a real-life Oskar Schindler after saving countless lives during the genocide . However, the refugees within the Hotel told a different story. Inside the Hotel Rwanda is Edouard Kayihura’s firsthand account of life inside the hotel during those terrifying 100 days. He shares testimonies from fellow survivors – Hutu, Tutsi, and UN peacekeepers and recounts his life as a minority in deeply divided country.
Edouard Kayihura's tale is an amazing story of survival during the 100 days of genocide. Its also amazing how Rwanda recovered and managed the aftermath of the genocide. It was really interesting how they managed the legalities by using tribal law and I wish more time had been spent on this part of the novel. Kayihura alleges Rusesabagina profiteered from the refugees in the hotel, over exaggerated his role in keeping people safe in the hotel, and outright lied about the UN peacekeepers roles. Whilst I understand Kayihura's anger at Rusesabagina, this section was probably the least interesting. The far more interesting part is how the country has grown and tried to reconcile the genocide. And interesting read about a sad chapter of history.
Edouard Kayihura's tale is an amazing story of survival during the 100 days of genocide. Its also amazing how Rwanda recovered and managed the aftermath of the genocide. It was really interesting how they managed the legalities by using tribal law and I wish more time had been spent on this part of the novel. Kayihura alleges Rusesabagina profiteered from the refugees in the hotel, over exaggerated his role in keeping people safe in the hotel, and outright lied about the UN peacekeepers roles. Whilst I understand Kayihura's anger at Rusesabagina, this section was probably the least interesting. The far more interesting part is how the country has grown and tried to reconcile the genocide. And interesting read about a sad chapter of history.
June 3, 2024
This book describes the experience of the Tutsi refugees inside the Hotel des Mille Colones in Kigali during the genocide in Rwanda in 1993-4. The author was one of those refugees. For the first 165 pages that is what you read about, followed by the author’s experiences in government when the war mostly ended.
In addition to that story, the author consistently wants you to know that Paul Rusebabinga, the hotel manager, was not at all the hero that the movie “Hotel Rwanda” made him out to be. (I have not yet seen the movie.). Instead, Rusebabinga (who is Hutu) exploited the refugees. He made money off them while treating them poorly, and after the movie he made a lot more money. He became a speaker around the world. Sometime after the book was published, Rusebabinga was tricked into returning to Rwanda where he was tried and convicted of fraud. His sentence was later commuted.
I found the descriptions of the genocide and conditions in Rwanda far too similar to what is happening in the United States today and what might happen in the future. Upsetting at the very least.
In addition to that story, the author consistently wants you to know that Paul Rusebabinga, the hotel manager, was not at all the hero that the movie “Hotel Rwanda” made him out to be. (I have not yet seen the movie.). Instead, Rusebabinga (who is Hutu) exploited the refugees. He made money off them while treating them poorly, and after the movie he made a lot more money. He became a speaker around the world. Sometime after the book was published, Rusebabinga was tricked into returning to Rwanda where he was tried and convicted of fraud. His sentence was later commuted.
I found the descriptions of the genocide and conditions in Rwanda far too similar to what is happening in the United States today and what might happen in the future. Upsetting at the very least.
January 21, 2025
Used to use film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ as a teaching resource. Began to find research material that suggested this film was pure Hollywood and resulted in a monster (raised money that he kept) due to characterization of Paul Rusesabagina . Like Iago, he is not what he seems. (Has been jailed for financial and political support of Hutu unrest. Also denies genocide). Visited Rwanda last year and saw this book (also did some research activities). This book exposes the appalling truth that Paul Rusesabagina’s hero status was constructed by Hollywood and the man himself has successfully milked this to own multiple homes in the USA for example. This book is thoroughly researched and referenced. On a positive note, the recent governmental policies are obviously working. Rwanda is a very positive,safe place to visit. And it’s beautiful.
June 11, 2021
Interesting story and I am glad I read it and more importantly that he wrote it. It is important to have a true, less Hollywood story out there. The downside of the book is that he spends a good bit of time complaining about the stardom that Paul Rusesabagina garnered from his portrayal in the movie Hotel Rwanda and his subsequent recognition as a hero. I don't blame him for being sore not one bit but there is a little too much of it that it takes away from the story. Also, there is a lack of consistency in the quality of the writing.
September 13, 2020
A Piece of History Unknown to Many
Having seen the movie several times since its release years ago, this book appears to offer an entirely different perspective. Whether the narrative, as presented by the authors, is beyond dispute is a question for genocide researchers to comment. What is beyond dispute is the style and framing of the content to help readers associate events as these may have occurred.
Having seen the movie several times since its release years ago, this book appears to offer an entirely different perspective. Whether the narrative, as presented by the authors, is beyond dispute is a question for genocide researchers to comment. What is beyond dispute is the style and framing of the content to help readers associate events as these may have occurred.
July 30, 2021
For many people, they have a one-sided view of this moment in history. This book gives another view, one that supports the theories and beliefs of many of the people who lived through this horrific event. I applaud the people who came together to tell their truth and to uncover lies told to make one man a hero-turned-villain. Paul Rusesabagina is currently being held on trial for his actions, some of which were uncovered in this very book.
June 27, 2019
Absolutely riveting! This completely changes your perspective on the movie and the protagonist's view of how he single-handedly saved everyone inside "Hotel Rwanda". I strongly suggest this to truly capture the perspective of someone who lived it and not a dramatized version of events from Hollywood producers unaware of their actions and their impact on the history of this devastating occurance.
June 6, 2021
I am not Rwandan and haven't done research the Genocide so I can't verify the things said in this book are truth. However, this book do 2 things wonderfully:
1. Educate us about the grim situation Tutsis faced in 94
2. Teach us to not blindfoldedly accept things told us in movies. They are just films inspired by events to make money.
1. Educate us about the grim situation Tutsis faced in 94
2. Teach us to not blindfoldedly accept things told us in movies. They are just films inspired by events to make money.
June 4, 2023
The Good: A personal account of genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and in particular, the experience of occupying Hotel des Mille Collines. Exposes the truth as witnessed and the lies that gained popularity.
The Bad: The ugliness of racism. Brutal. Familiar faces turning against you. The failure of the international community in coming to aid. Occurred late in the 20th century.
The Bad: The ugliness of racism. Brutal. Familiar faces turning against you. The failure of the international community in coming to aid. Occurred late in the 20th century.
October 5, 2023
This book was an absolute page turner, and was nearly impossible to put down. It is incredibly vital that more people read this to dispel the common misconception that Hotel Rwanda is an accurate representation of the experiences of survivors.
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