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Frida: Chosen to Die, Destined to Live
Frida witnessed her family being massacred by Hutu men with machetes and was then asked how she wanted to die. She could not afford a bullet, which they offered to sell her, so instead received what should have been a fatal blow to the head. She was put in a mass grave with her slaughtered family only to find herself still alive and conscious. She eventually climbed out of the pit covered in filth and blood. Frida's traumas would never be undone, but today this young woman has an important message for the world. This book tells the true, dramatic story of life amid the horror of genocide, but more importantly how Frida's life was utterly transformed by the power to forgive and love her enemies. Amazingly, in the midst of the traumas she found Christ. Her story is for all those who have gone through life shattering experiences and are unable to forgive, imprisoned by bitterness and distress. The message is one of immense hope and personal deliverance pointing towards the transforming power of forgiveness. She was chosen to die, yet destined to live - the fruit of her transformation is expressed in Frida's present day work with the orphans of Rwanda.
169 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 7, 2021
This is by far the most confronting, overwhelming and frightening book I have ever read. The trauma that this young girl Frida experienced during the Rwandan genocide is unimaginable. And it all happened while the so-called developed world sat on its hands and let nearly 1,000,000 Rwandans suffer through death by machete. Women, children, babies, pregnant women and men – none were spared man’s inhumanity to man. Many will never understand how Frida came to forgive the people who killed her family and buried her alive. This book will break your heart but then Frida will mend it! A revealing read. Inspiring.
January 21, 2020
I have avoided reading anything about the Rwandan Genocide as it is too distressing however I decided to read this book as it sounded a little hopeful at least.
The story is told by one of the survivors. She tells how two tribes shared the same village but one prospered more than the other. At the loss of their Prime Minister the less advantaged tribe rapidly broadcast their hatred of the others and the government encouraged them to kill them all.
What was particularly sad was that the exterminated tribe were generous to their neighbours beforehand. It would have been horrible for them to turn to their friends only to be betrayed and killed. They killed men, women, children and babies.
An army rose up to save their people however they were too late. The post-war justice was a little unclear as some went to prison but were released. It seemed as though the aggressors were acting as though it never happened which was hard for the two tribes living side by side once again.
The story soon turned to God/believing/forgiveness etc. As a non believer, the preaching became a bit predictable but I appreciate it is all part of the story. I am glad the survivor managed to find a way to find inner peace as her ordeal was of the worst kind. She should be commended for her courage and perseverance.
I would recommend this to religious people but perhaps not to atheists.
The story is told by one of the survivors. She tells how two tribes shared the same village but one prospered more than the other. At the loss of their Prime Minister the less advantaged tribe rapidly broadcast their hatred of the others and the government encouraged them to kill them all.
What was particularly sad was that the exterminated tribe were generous to their neighbours beforehand. It would have been horrible for them to turn to their friends only to be betrayed and killed. They killed men, women, children and babies.
An army rose up to save their people however they were too late. The post-war justice was a little unclear as some went to prison but were released. It seemed as though the aggressors were acting as though it never happened which was hard for the two tribes living side by side once again.
The story soon turned to God/believing/forgiveness etc. As a non believer, the preaching became a bit predictable but I appreciate it is all part of the story. I am glad the survivor managed to find a way to find inner peace as her ordeal was of the worst kind. She should be commended for her courage and perseverance.
I would recommend this to religious people but perhaps not to atheists.
August 24, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book. I can't believe what people had to endure during the genocide. For Frida to be able to forgive her families killers was truly remarkable. Makes me want to read more books on the genocide.
December 30, 2019
A very interesting book about the horrors of the genocide in Rwanda. Survivors had to live with the trauma of what they saw....but also had to continue to live side by side with those who condoned the murders. Very easy to read with simple but powerful prose. Frida is a remarkable woman who continues to help others to overcome their trauma. She discovered forgiveness and placed her trust in God to move forward. Makes me realise how lucky I am.
November 19, 2023
A difficult book to read. How much worse to live.
How can the unforgiveable be forgiven? What happens if the power of forgiveness isn't present?
Difficult questions - how can such things happen? Could it happen where we live? (the answer is yes because the human heart is capable of terrible things in certain circumstances).
Is there a possibility of healing from trauma? of reconciliation?
May we read and learn.
How can the unforgiveable be forgiven? What happens if the power of forgiveness isn't present?
Difficult questions - how can such things happen? Could it happen where we live? (the answer is yes because the human heart is capable of terrible things in certain circumstances).
Is there a possibility of healing from trauma? of reconciliation?
May we read and learn.
Read
October 25, 2022Such a powerful book highlighting the atrocities of civil war (genocide on tribes) and a survivors trauma and impact on life. Frida's testimony finding peace and forgiveness in God; his provision and faithfulness in her life is encouraging and convicting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2023
What happened in Rwanda is unbelievably awful. Frida tells her story beautifully but with great sadness. The redemption of Jesus Christ brings hope to an incredibly moment in history.
February 1, 2024
Incredible story that really immerses you in Frida's experiences, with some really hard to read parts and an amazing ending! Would highly recommend.
July 31, 2009
Read in Germany, June 2009.
Given to Johanna.
Comments:
* might be best to read up on the events in Rwanda before starting this book. As I was two when the genocide occurred, I knew little about it and was a bit shocked in places when reading this book.
* amazing yet perfectly normal woman. Frida has her faults but all of us should admire her for moving on with her life and not letting the terrors that Satan threw on Rwanda pull her down.
* rather amatuer writing but, of course, Frida is not a professional writer.
* really opens your eyes to the events in Rwanda and the emotions of this who lived through it.
* this book made me wonder which event was worse: the Rwandan genocide or the Holocaust? As I visited Auschwitz in September and did work with the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, I found myself thinking about this as I read Frida's story. To me, it seemed that the Nazis did not, at least, relish in bloodshed, and the Holocaust was a very dehumanised event in comparison to Rwanda. But is dehumanisation better than torture, rape and brutal murder? It is an interesting debate, albeit an extremely difficult one. But I know that I would rather have been a Polish Jew than a Rwandan.
Overall, 9/10 as I found the writing a bit amatuerish in places - but Frida's lifestory deserves nothing less than five stars.
Given to Johanna.
Comments:
* might be best to read up on the events in Rwanda before starting this book. As I was two when the genocide occurred, I knew little about it and was a bit shocked in places when reading this book.
* amazing yet perfectly normal woman. Frida has her faults but all of us should admire her for moving on with her life and not letting the terrors that Satan threw on Rwanda pull her down.
* rather amatuer writing but, of course, Frida is not a professional writer.
* really opens your eyes to the events in Rwanda and the emotions of this who lived through it.
* this book made me wonder which event was worse: the Rwandan genocide or the Holocaust? As I visited Auschwitz in September and did work with the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, I found myself thinking about this as I read Frida's story. To me, it seemed that the Nazis did not, at least, relish in bloodshed, and the Holocaust was a very dehumanised event in comparison to Rwanda. But is dehumanisation better than torture, rape and brutal murder? It is an interesting debate, albeit an extremely difficult one. But I know that I would rather have been a Polish Jew than a Rwandan.
Overall, 9/10 as I found the writing a bit amatuerish in places - but Frida's lifestory deserves nothing less than five stars.
October 17, 2016
We are in the midst of our "Beyond the Holocaust" book series here at our library. This is the final book and we saved one of the best for the last book we will be discussing. While this book is heart-wrenching there is an undertone of pure strength and goodness in Frida that leaves one with such admiration for her strength of character. During the 1990's genocide of Tutsi's by members of the Hutu tribe in Rwanda, Frida witnessed the slaughter of her family by former neighbors and friends. She was mistaken for dead and was buried in a mass grave with her family. She was able to crawl out and this begins her miraculous journey to forgive and love her enemies. I finished the book in awe of this amazing woman!!! What a witness.
April 28, 2012
Ultimately, this is an inspirational book. I wanted to rewrite it so it made more sense and there were definitely leaps made by the author that showed assumption that we understood certain things that were not fully explained. I think it could have made more of an impact on the public if the publisher had taken more care in the editing of this book. The story is amazing and definitely worth reading for a reality check but be aware you may get caught up in sentences that were poorly written.
April 23, 2013
What a testimony to the power of God to heal and restore an utterly broken life. Frida is an inspiration. She suffered through the Rwandan genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutu tribe, witnessed her entire family being slaughtered and she herself was thought to be killed, only to emerge from the grave having been buried alive. Heartbreaking and horrific, I cried many times. But it's ultimately a story, a testimony, of hope and love. Well worth reading. I highly recommend it.
May 14, 2014
4.5 stars
Excellent story of trauma, devastation, and forgiveness given through the grace of God. That such a terrible event as the Rwandan genocide happened so recently awful, but reconciliation is now coming, and people like Frida (and God) are an important force behind it.
My only complaint was the writing style, which was a little matter-of-fact and telling rather than showing, but this is am autobiography rather than fiction, and is not intended to entertain.
Excellent story of trauma, devastation, and forgiveness given through the grace of God. That such a terrible event as the Rwandan genocide happened so recently awful, but reconciliation is now coming, and people like Frida (and God) are an important force behind it.
My only complaint was the writing style, which was a little matter-of-fact and telling rather than showing, but this is am autobiography rather than fiction, and is not intended to entertain.
May 31, 2010
A true story about hope, forgiveness and God's presence in our lives. I learned about the process of forgiveness and the ability to exercise it, without repentance of the offending party.
September 1, 2012
easy to read story of survival in Rwandan Holocaust.
November 29, 2012
Very sad, but also a story of triumph in the worst possible circumstances. This is an autobiographical account of the Rwanda holocaust.
June 15, 2013
Inspiring story
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews