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Prožila jsem si peklo
Unesena islamistickými povstalci z Boko Haram mladá Nigerijka Patience si prožila skutečné peklo. V okamžiku, kdy se ve svých sedmnácti letech dostává do područí teroristické skupiny Boko Haram, začíná pro těhotnou ženu boj o život. V listopadu 2015 se s Patience setkává německá novinářka Andrea C. Hoffmannová, která přicestovala do Nigérie, aby získala o činnosti Boko Haram co nejvíce informací. Obě ženy se shodnou na tom, že neuvěřitelné krutosti této fanatické islamistické organizace musí být zdokumentovány. A tak Patience novinářce vypráví svůj traumatický příběh.
262 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2016
53 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Andrea C. Hoffmann
14 books7 followersAndrea C. Hoffmann (* 1973 in Marburg) ist eine Buchautorin und Journalistin. Seit 2004 ist Hoffmann im Auslandsressort des Nachrichtenmagazins Focus als Nahostexpertin tätig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 27, 2017
My first thought after reading this exceptional book was how it took me completely out of myself, and my own world. Patience, the protagonist, lived a life that no one could even imagine-twice abducted by Boko Haram, seeing her husband's decapitaded head laying on the ground, and giving birth alone, in the jungle. She survived all those horrendous events, and much more, ultimately being gifted with a beautiful daughter.
The author, Andrea Hoffmann, is a skilled author and journalist who won the trust and friendship of her protagonist. I appreciated reading and hearing Patience's story told her way and in her words, rather than how the author thinks it should be told. Hoffman also writes about her desire to fly to dangerous northern Nigeria, meeting up with a missionary, and accompanying her there. Meeting and interviewing Patience and other women was a brave and selfless act that assisted in getting more of the story of the Boko Haram atrocities out into the world.
I commend Ms. Hoffmann on her exceptional book and her career as a writer of human rights stories.
Thank you NetGalley.
The author, Andrea Hoffmann, is a skilled author and journalist who won the trust and friendship of her protagonist. I appreciated reading and hearing Patience's story told her way and in her words, rather than how the author thinks it should be told. Hoffman also writes about her desire to fly to dangerous northern Nigeria, meeting up with a missionary, and accompanying her there. Meeting and interviewing Patience and other women was a brave and selfless act that assisted in getting more of the story of the Boko Haram atrocities out into the world.
I commend Ms. Hoffmann on her exceptional book and her career as a writer of human rights stories.
Thank you NetGalley.
December 13, 2017
One definitely needs therapy to read the horrific contents of this book. At some point I cried while reading and in some areas I almost vomited because I was literally sick to my stomach. This book is not for the faint hearted.
That aside, I did not fully understand what the Chibok girls and all the women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram went through and are still going through until I read the book. I am still unable to grasp what type of a person is ok doing such inhumane things to another. How do you become that kind of person? How do you sleep at night when I as a reader can barely sleep after reading this book? This book just validates how strong women are. Patience is one hell of a woman and I don't think I would survive even half the things that they had to endure in those camps.
That aside, I did not fully understand what the Chibok girls and all the women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram went through and are still going through until I read the book. I am still unable to grasp what type of a person is ok doing such inhumane things to another. How do you become that kind of person? How do you sleep at night when I as a reader can barely sleep after reading this book? This book just validates how strong women are. Patience is one hell of a woman and I don't think I would survive even half the things that they had to endure in those camps.
September 8, 2017
Soms lees je een boek waarbij je niet meer kunt stoppen met lezen, waarbij je alleen maar verder wilt lezen. Ze kwamen op motorfietsen van Andrea C. Hoffmann bleek voor mij zo’n boek te zijn. Een heftig en indringend verslag van Patience die door Boko Haram wordt ontvoerd. Het is afschuwelijk om te lezen wat zij allemaal heeft meegemaakt, verschrikkelijk om te lezen hoe de mensen in Nigeria in continue angst leven voor de gruweldaden van Boko Haram.
In het nieuws lezen we er eigenlijk niet zoveel over. Aan de ontvoerde schoolmeisjes wordt aandacht besteedt. Maar het feit dat er daarnaast nog duizenden en duizenden vrouwen en meisjes worden ontvoerd, worden gedwongen te trouwen en als ‘broedmachine’ te fungeren, mannen worden vermoord en heel dorpen worden weggevaagd is iets dat veel te weinig aandacht krijgt.
Een boek dat ik heb gelezen met kippenvel op mijn armen en een brok in mijn keel.
In het nieuws lezen we er eigenlijk niet zoveel over. Aan de ontvoerde schoolmeisjes wordt aandacht besteedt. Maar het feit dat er daarnaast nog duizenden en duizenden vrouwen en meisjes worden ontvoerd, worden gedwongen te trouwen en als ‘broedmachine’ te fungeren, mannen worden vermoord en heel dorpen worden weggevaagd is iets dat veel te weinig aandacht krijgt.
Een boek dat ik heb gelezen met kippenvel op mijn armen en een brok in mijn keel.
December 27, 2017
An amazing memoir of a survivor of Boko Haram and the journalist who tells her story. Brave, harrowing and sheds light on women's plight in the most dire of circumstances. The bravery and resilience of this young mother to be is inspiring. What a mother does for her child? Everything and anything.
November 22, 2017
Hoffman has written an incredibly engrossing book. She tells the story of her journey to Nigeria and introduces us to Patience as she meets her. Then she lets her tell us her story. I knew when I requested this book that it was going to be hard, violent, and for a mature audience. I realized that horrendous, unspeakable things were done to her. I’ve read enough books about the Holocaust, the killing fields, and the Rwandan genocide to have been prepared ever so slightly for what it might be like.
However, I only made it halfway through the book. Up to that point, she was very delicate about the intimate aspects of her marriages. Then she described her rape in great detail, way too much detail. I was expecting that it would be part of her story but would be handled more delicately.
The Christianity spoke of is very nominal. They go to church regularly, but she enters a polygamous marriage that’s winked at by church and encouraged by her family. I couldn’t really tell what her view of salvation was. There was a lot of talk about losing salvation, but it sounded like they considered themselves Christian just because they were born to certain families. Religion really wasn’t the focus of the book. It was just about Patience and her story.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Other Press. No favorable review was required. These are my honest opinions.
However, I only made it halfway through the book. Up to that point, she was very delicate about the intimate aspects of her marriages. Then she described her rape in great detail, way too much detail. I was expecting that it would be part of her story but would be handled more delicately.
The Christianity spoke of is very nominal. They go to church regularly, but she enters a polygamous marriage that’s winked at by church and encouraged by her family. I couldn’t really tell what her view of salvation was. There was a lot of talk about losing salvation, but it sounded like they considered themselves Christian just because they were born to certain families. Religion really wasn’t the focus of the book. It was just about Patience and her story.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley and Other Press. No favorable review was required. These are my honest opinions.
December 8, 2017
This is a profoundly sad book, triumphant in spirit but an incredible reminder of what we are ignoring across the globe. Patience wears her daughter in a traditional wrap much like the different ones I used on my three little ones. The opening where we meet them and the little girl reaches around for breast milk reminds me so much of mothering my own children, I immediately felt a warmth and connection to the story.
While we have aid workers in this area of the world, it seems too horrific and widespread to conquer. The women volunteers are a drip in an ocean of evil, but their spirit is so encouraging.
Disturbing and heartwarming in different parts, I highly recommend this book.
While we have aid workers in this area of the world, it seems too horrific and widespread to conquer. The women volunteers are a drip in an ocean of evil, but their spirit is so encouraging.
Disturbing and heartwarming in different parts, I highly recommend this book.
January 31, 2018
A Gift From Darkness is a vivid and straightforward nightmare in the land of Boko Haram. Journalist Andrea Hoffman travels to Maiduguri, Nigeria and talks to Patience Ibrahim, who gives a first-hand account of seeing family and neighbors murdered as terrorists attack and occupy the rural farming communities that she calls home. She herself is abducted twice and escapes twice, but cannot escape the fear and horror as the brutal group expands its territory. For a few hours, I felt almost as though I was part of Patience's horrific world. I'm glad I read this story, and that she had a chance to tell it. It's not for the faint of heart.
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
#AgiftFromDarkness #NetGalley
Disclosure: I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
#AgiftFromDarkness #NetGalley
August 5, 2019
I'm hesitant to rate this with the four star "I really liked it" rating because it feels like suggesting I really liked the story. The story is absolutely harrowing. What happens to people captured by BH is beyond imagination and so atrocious that it is paralyzing to try to even imagine it happening, let alone come to know how someone like this woman could come back from such an experience. It never ceases to amaze me how much people can live through, and how the violence and terrorism of this group seems to just pop in and out of the news with the incidental frequency of shifting weather reports.
March 5, 2025
A Gift From Darkness: How I Escaped with My Daughter from Boko Haram is the story of how a young Nigerian woman, Patience Ibrahim escaped from the Boko Haram.
While this is an extremely difficult story, one does learn quite a bit about Nigerian culture.
I appreciate the strength of character which Patience demonstrated.
While this is an extremely difficult story, one does learn quite a bit about Nigerian culture.
I appreciate the strength of character which Patience demonstrated.
May 14, 2018
The horrific story of a young woman who was captured by Boko Haram, managed to escape, only to be re-captured by them. A tough story to read but something that definitely must be shared.
April 8, 2025
Intense retelling of the atrocities committed by Biko Haram in northern Nigeria- learned a lot about this topic as I knew essentially nothing about it previously
It is hard to even comprehend what these victims have experienced
It is hard to even comprehend what these victims have experienced
February 5, 2018
Patience, a young Christian living in northern Nigeria, has experienced the kind of trauma that many of us could only read about. At times, her story made me so overcome with emotion that I didn't know if I could continue reading. In fact, several times I wanted to abandon the book, but quickly admonished myself as I realized that I had the privilege of distancing myself from these traumatic experiences, but she, and others like her, did not. I felt it was my duty to continue reading because Patience and other Boko Haram victims need people like me to be made aware of what is happening in Nigeria.
While there were times when I knew the language didn't quite "fit", I understood that this was due to the translating. Nonetheless, I am grateful that Patience found the courage to share her painfully traumatic story. I'm left, once again, feeling as if the global community needs to do better. Everyone needs to read this book to know fully the horrors that northern Nigerians are experiencing.
While there were times when I knew the language didn't quite "fit", I understood that this was due to the translating. Nonetheless, I am grateful that Patience found the courage to share her painfully traumatic story. I'm left, once again, feeling as if the global community needs to do better. Everyone needs to read this book to know fully the horrors that northern Nigerians are experiencing.
December 24, 2017
What an awful read. :( Awful because of the subject matter. I find it so hard to comprehend what some people have to deal with - through no fault of their own - and I am amazed that Patience even managed to survive - AND had a baby on her own too.
Very thankful that I have never had to deal with any of the experiences that Patience deals with. I hope she manages to live to a decent age!
Very thankful that I have never had to deal with any of the experiences that Patience deals with. I hope she manages to live to a decent age!
January 13, 2020
This book is reminiscent of Nadia Murad's The Last Girl (about her captivity with ISIS), but not nearly as well written. I don't know if I should put the blame for that on Andrea Hoffmann, the journalist who tried to put Patience Ibrahim's experiences into book form, or the translator who brought the story from German to English. Whichever, A Gift From Darkness feels very amateur. It recounts Patience's difficult ordeal, but makes very little attempt at placing it in the larger picture, and definitely provides no analysis of Boko Haram and its wider impact. I wanted much more.
3 stars.
3 stars.
May 11, 2022
Easily 4-5 stars for Patience's story.
Unfortunately there is far too much of Hoffman's perspective and interjections, and Patience's harrowing, gripping story about surviving Boko Haram loses steam from all the interruptions.
Still, I highly recommend this, as if you (like me) are in the West, accounts of what is going on in Nigeria and the surrounding countries - the absolute havoc Boko Haram has been wreaking there for decades now - are hard to come by.
Unfortunately there is far too much of Hoffman's perspective and interjections, and Patience's harrowing, gripping story about surviving Boko Haram loses steam from all the interruptions.
Still, I highly recommend this, as if you (like me) are in the West, accounts of what is going on in Nigeria and the surrounding countries - the absolute havoc Boko Haram has been wreaking there for decades now - are hard to come by.
July 27, 2017
Wooow😭😭
March 4, 2021
A simple read, in regards to the writing, but a difficult read in regard to the content. It is not for the faint of heart. I have read plenty of books that are heavy in trauma, violence, war, etc, and this one even had me cringing.
But, it is REAL. It is someone's BRUTAL story and it needed to be told. It is especially important, as the world has had very little idea of the havoc Boko Haram has wreaked over Nigeria, (aside from the school girl kidnappings) and continues to do so today. To know that these types of events still occur, gives me chills.
I am not sure how to write this, but: I am (somewhat) relieved, that the author relayed many of Patience's more violent experiences as it was told to her- straightforward, but avoided laying it on too thick with unnecessary layers of descriptive words. The violent events, as told, were gruesome and traumatic enough to make anyone sick, thus an overbearing amount of description might have made the book unreadable to most. Its one of those books where your mind almost WANTS to shut off its imagination, so I am grateful that the author did not carry on for paragraphs, giving us every vile detail of the most traumatic events.
For instance, in one setting, Patience describes seeing a pregnant woman getting her belly cut open and the fetus torn out. As if that alone, is not enough to make you shudder, I had to secretly thank the author, who did not feel the need to describe every sound, sight, smell and feeling about it. It was already enough to know that something so cruel could occur to a human- I did not need any more.
Patience showed an incredible amount of bravery and persistence, not only to survive, but also to tell her story at a time when these atrocities have not completely ended. The trauma she has experienced is gut-wrenching and unthinkable, but I am glad that her story is out there. The world needs to know that this is happening, and it can not be ignored.
But, it is REAL. It is someone's BRUTAL story and it needed to be told. It is especially important, as the world has had very little idea of the havoc Boko Haram has wreaked over Nigeria, (aside from the school girl kidnappings) and continues to do so today. To know that these types of events still occur, gives me chills.
I am not sure how to write this, but: I am (somewhat) relieved, that the author relayed many of Patience's more violent experiences as it was told to her- straightforward, but avoided laying it on too thick with unnecessary layers of descriptive words. The violent events, as told, were gruesome and traumatic enough to make anyone sick, thus an overbearing amount of description might have made the book unreadable to most. Its one of those books where your mind almost WANTS to shut off its imagination, so I am grateful that the author did not carry on for paragraphs, giving us every vile detail of the most traumatic events.
For instance, in one setting, Patience describes seeing a pregnant woman getting her belly cut open and the fetus torn out. As if that alone, is not enough to make you shudder, I had to secretly thank the author, who did not feel the need to describe every sound, sight, smell and feeling about it. It was already enough to know that something so cruel could occur to a human- I did not need any more.
Patience showed an incredible amount of bravery and persistence, not only to survive, but also to tell her story at a time when these atrocities have not completely ended. The trauma she has experienced is gut-wrenching and unthinkable, but I am glad that her story is out there. The world needs to know that this is happening, and it can not be ignored.
February 24, 2018
At first, I thought this would be a book from one of "our girls," who were kidnapped from the school in Chibok in 2014. (Of the 276 kidnapped, 100 are still missing.) However, this is the story of a young wife, who, at the age of 19, had already lost one husband to Boko Haram's violence. She was remarried and newly pregnant when Boko Haram came to her new village and kidnapped her and other Christian women. She escaped, only to be recaptured days later by another band of marauders. A humane guard helped her escape yet once more. She and two other women traveled on foot to cross the border into Cameroon, where they were reunited with family members. Sadly, Boko Haram's violence reached them even there. While heavily pregnant Patience hid, her husband ran into the bush for his life. (To be fair to him, men were generally killed outright; women might be captured.) When the raid was over, Patience searched for her husband, only to find he had been beheaded.
Patience's story of courage, faith, and strength is unbelievable. After giving birth to her daughter alone in the wilderness, Patience found refuge in northern Nigeria at a Catholic enclave. There, she was interviewed by German journalist Andrea Hoffmann.
This is a valuable book to read. Although it suffers from a few odd typos, it is compelling reading. How little we know of Boko Haram's depredations! Sadly enough, it may be said that we care very little as well. Just days ago, another school was attacked at Dapchi, Nigeria. Witnesses claim that more than ninety were kidnapped, more than seventy were rescued, and that two girls were killed. The violence, although it has abated, has not ended. Many, many women could add their voices to Patience's story.
Patience's story of courage, faith, and strength is unbelievable. After giving birth to her daughter alone in the wilderness, Patience found refuge in northern Nigeria at a Catholic enclave. There, she was interviewed by German journalist Andrea Hoffmann.
This is a valuable book to read. Although it suffers from a few odd typos, it is compelling reading. How little we know of Boko Haram's depredations! Sadly enough, it may be said that we care very little as well. Just days ago, another school was attacked at Dapchi, Nigeria. Witnesses claim that more than ninety were kidnapped, more than seventy were rescued, and that two girls were killed. The violence, although it has abated, has not ended. Many, many women could add their voices to Patience's story.
March 1, 2018
I like to enter Goodreads Giveaways for the chance to read books that I might not otherwise consider, for whatever reason: too dark, too heavy, too depressing. And yes, this book is at times difficult to read, with its honest and vivid portrayal of violence, but as a whole, it was worth it.
Stories like Patience's need to be told in order to get even a glimmer of understanding what it's like living in fear of Boko Haram. You don't want to believe that this evil exists, that people are capable of committing these atrocities, but there's a witness here willing to share her experience.
I also appreciate Andrea Hoffmann's ability to understand what needs to be placed in context, details of Patience's life and explanations of her culture. Ultimately this is a story of survival that I would recommend to anyone as long as they're prepared to read it.
Stories like Patience's need to be told in order to get even a glimmer of understanding what it's like living in fear of Boko Haram. You don't want to believe that this evil exists, that people are capable of committing these atrocities, but there's a witness here willing to share her experience.
I also appreciate Andrea Hoffmann's ability to understand what needs to be placed in context, details of Patience's life and explanations of her culture. Ultimately this is a story of survival that I would recommend to anyone as long as they're prepared to read it.
May 5, 2024
A Gift from Darkness" is a powerful tale of women's resilience under terrorist captivity in Nigeria. It reminds me of a movie “Tears of the Sun."
The author masterfully crafts Patience's story, immersing readers into her world of despair, fear, and ultimately, hope. While I found the story quite distressing at times, it serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
This inspiring story is not for the faint-hearted, as it confronts the harsh realities of terrorism and its impact on innocent lives. but for those ready for an emotional journey, it's a poignant and inspiring read that lingers in the mind.
The author masterfully crafts Patience's story, immersing readers into her world of despair, fear, and ultimately, hope. While I found the story quite distressing at times, it serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
This inspiring story is not for the faint-hearted, as it confronts the harsh realities of terrorism and its impact on innocent lives. but for those ready for an emotional journey, it's a poignant and inspiring read that lingers in the mind.
March 2, 2025
The contemporary Nigeria is a fashionable and terrible at the same time. A world divided beetween old traditions and the fight of Muslims against Christians.
Every time Patience is in danger the reading is very hard. And when Patince have an hope of flying away you can't stop reading. In this roller coaster of emotions, the hard political context of Nigeria.
Really thanks to the author for this work.
People like me don't know what happens there by Tv news.
I would like to know how is Patience now, eight years after the narration. I hope the author read me so that she could think to another book.
Every time Patience is in danger the reading is very hard. And when Patince have an hope of flying away you can't stop reading. In this roller coaster of emotions, the hard political context of Nigeria.
Really thanks to the author for this work.
People like me don't know what happens there by Tv news.
I would like to know how is Patience now, eight years after the narration. I hope the author read me so that she could think to another book.
May 24, 2021
I would prefer to not rate this as it’s possibly poor taste when this is pretty much just a witness statement from a woman kidnapped by Boko Haram who observed the torture, beheadings, rapes and acts of terrorism first hand.
It’s almost emotionless as it retells the story of Patience. More people need to know what is happening and that these events happened in 2015/2016.
Recommend as an education and being informed but this isn’t entertainment. There is a single rape scene but compared to some fictional works I’ve read that includes similar, it’s comparatively tame although terrible.
It’s almost emotionless as it retells the story of Patience. More people need to know what is happening and that these events happened in 2015/2016.
Recommend as an education and being informed but this isn’t entertainment. There is a single rape scene but compared to some fictional works I’ve read that includes similar, it’s comparatively tame although terrible.
July 22, 2024
Surviving terror
Patience is kidnapped by Boko Harom in 2014. Understanding the extent of the Isis psychological treatment of the female captives and the depravity of their treatment is chilling. Patience faces her challenges with courage in order to protect her unborn child. These female refugees need help to learn skills to survive. This is a story that needs to be read by those in power who can help. Women everywhere need to reach out to these women to guide the refugees towards self support and safety.
Patience is kidnapped by Boko Harom in 2014. Understanding the extent of the Isis psychological treatment of the female captives and the depravity of their treatment is chilling. Patience faces her challenges with courage in order to protect her unborn child. These female refugees need help to learn skills to survive. This is a story that needs to be read by those in power who can help. Women everywhere need to reach out to these women to guide the refugees towards self support and safety.
January 28, 2018
This is the story of Patience, who in her short life has experienced and witnessed things that no-one should be exposed to. This is not a fictional story, it is the account of a young girls life, told by Patience and is unthinkable.
Patience and the author Andrea Hoffman, tell us the story of the Boko Haram and the atrocities carried out by them. This is not a tale of long ago. This is happening now.
I would highly recommend this book and think everyone should read it.
Very sobering.
Patience and the author Andrea Hoffman, tell us the story of the Boko Haram and the atrocities carried out by them. This is not a tale of long ago. This is happening now.
I would highly recommend this book and think everyone should read it.
Very sobering.
September 12, 2019
Reading this was difficult...that there is such evil in this world and that these poor people were so helpless against it. I also learned a lot about the Nigerian Village culture. I was shocked at how women are treated as less than and their day to day life was so primitive. This is a great book and Patience is an incredibly strong woman. I hope that she and her daughter are doing well today and can live in peace and safety.
March 11, 2022
This was one of those books that I had to read in fits and starts. It's incredibly intense and horrifying. And I just can't fathom the horrors of what Patience has been through. The fact that I was reading this not long after giving birth... It was just far more gruelling for me, emotionally.
I'm struggling to write this review because of the emotional turmoil that this book put me through. It is well written and so drags you into those emotional moments that you just don't quite expect. Or see coming. It honestly blind sides you. And, unlike most of the fiction books I read, there are no happy endings here. Sure, you finish reading this with Patience and Gift safe and sound... for now.
Andrea uses 2 timelines to tell the story of Boko Haram. Firstly there's Patience's story. The one that honestly reached inside and tore apart my heart. Then, there's Andrea's journey to meeting Patience. Her own emotional journey as she sees and understands what has happened in a more personal way to the Christians under Boko Haram torture.
I will definitely read this again. Its an incredibly powerful story. And a stark reminder of how lucky I have it down here in Australia.
I'm struggling to write this review because of the emotional turmoil that this book put me through. It is well written and so drags you into those emotional moments that you just don't quite expect. Or see coming. It honestly blind sides you. And, unlike most of the fiction books I read, there are no happy endings here. Sure, you finish reading this with Patience and Gift safe and sound... for now.
Andrea uses 2 timelines to tell the story of Boko Haram. Firstly there's Patience's story. The one that honestly reached inside and tore apart my heart. Then, there's Andrea's journey to meeting Patience. Her own emotional journey as she sees and understands what has happened in a more personal way to the Christians under Boko Haram torture.
I will definitely read this again. Its an incredibly powerful story. And a stark reminder of how lucky I have it down here in Australia.
June 26, 2019
3.5 stars
This was a hard read. Not just because of the subject matter but I wasn't a fan of the writing of the journalist reporting this story. I really wanted a picture painted of Patience's life but instead I feel like I was given a pencil that's been sharpened on both ends to it's got like a centimeter of good wood left to hold on to and was asked to recreate a Picasso.
This was a hard read. Not just because of the subject matter but I wasn't a fan of the writing of the journalist reporting this story. I really wanted a picture painted of Patience's life but instead I feel like I was given a pencil that's been sharpened on both ends to it's got like a centimeter of good wood left to hold on to and was asked to recreate a Picasso.
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September 13, 2020Harrowing account of a brave woman's plight to save her child. My only gripe is that I just did not like the way the story was narrated. Perhaps this was one of those books whose essence gets lost in the translation. Therefore decided to not rate the book at all because I personally feel conflicted giving any sort of low rating to a memoir, that too of a woman who experienced such horrors.
October 31, 2022
This story is just awful. A real eye opener to the realities of how some humans behave; and in contrast, how others just keep going with hope. My goodness. Well written, so easy to read in that respect; but so awful to read in the other respect. What are we complaining about in our lives? I will be following the widowscare charity now. Thank you Andrea and Patience for telling us the truth.
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June 28, 2024My mum left me this book. Andrea and particularly Renate come across as um very out of touch white women. Imagine hearing that the village where you used to live has been occupied by Boko Haram, the savage murderers, and thinking oh no what must have happened to my house and my garden? What about the people that DIED, Renate???
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews