In Search of Pink Flamingos: A Woman's Quest for Forgiveness and Unconditional Love

by Susan E. Greisen

A young woman defies her parents' demands to become a farmer's wife. At age nineteen, with a suitcase full of farm-smarts and a license to be a practical nurse, Susan joins the Peace Corps in Africa. She meets multiple challenges in her remote Liberian village and falls short of her unrealistic goals. An interracial romance further aggravates her parents who eventually disown her. When Susan finds the pink flamingos, she discovers what she had been searching for all along. Her journey is one of passion, strength and finding forgiveness and unconditional love.

Genres: Book Club

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2020

About the author

Susan E. Greisen, raised on a remote farm in Nebraska, defied all odds to seek adventure and a broader understanding of life. Her work as a nurse took her to remote parts of the world with Peace Corps and CARE. She has journeyed to over forty countries on six continents and is a published poet and author. Her travel photographs have been published online by the BBC News. Susan lives in Bellingham, WA where she enjoys life with a vibrant and supportive writing community. Go to susangreisen.com for more photographs, home movies, and maps from the stories depicted in this memoir.

Reviews

[Karen A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gowee Sue have written a rich and compelling memoir of much of her life’s journey and specially of her Peace Corps experiences. Like her, I was a single female volunteer in a small Liberian village in the early 1970s. Absent the many comforts and support systems of American culture, we PCVs learned invaluable life lessons and were irrevocably changed as our beliefs and moral compasses were challenged, tested, and reset. Sue is particularly eloquent in sharing scary, funny and nurturing cross-cultural exchanges. She captures the resilience, wisdom, humor and spirit of the Liberian people, who share, care and prevail over so many obstacles in daily life despite the margin between life and death being so small. Sue’s story is honest, fascinating and inspiring as she likewise reveals the harsh choices, family dysfunction and challenges of realizing her own personal dreams. I beg you, you should read this, yah!

[Lisa Laskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed with this autobiography. Susan Greisen showed so much courage and boldness to break free of family expectations at nineteen to pursue a career in nursing and help people in far away places and in the US. Her efforts in the Peace Corps took her first to Liberia, Africa in the early 1970’s which she chose for the village’s remoteness and lack of American comforts because the villagers would need her skills. Well-written and inspiring. Her life story is worth the read even if you aren’t a nurse.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational memoir as a young Nebraskan girl in the 1970s defies her parents pre-conceived notions that all she will ever amount to is becoming a "farmers wife," and grows into an accomplished woman by becoming a nurse and joining the peace core. Never supported by her parents, Susan's resilient spirit leads her to discover more about herself, love, and forgiveness. Her love for the African people, and her humble journey as she discovers a place for both traditional and modern medicine come alive in this memoir. A story about growth, unconditional love, and the passion that can bring our dreams to fruition no matter the opposition is truly inspirational.

I feel privileged to be able to read this book, and bought a copy from my dear friend who is one of the most joyous, driven, and resilient, women I have ever known.

[Aunt J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know that elephants could walk backwards to watch out for predators and thus protect vulnerable babies at the back of the traveling line. Like the elephants, in this true Peace Corps story Greisen had to adapt to many things that were not easy. I loved that she brought me right into the scenes in the small village of Gowee, with dialog using simplified Liberian English that made it all very real. This book has breathtaking incidents and wonderful stories such as that of six-year old Saye. All with a backdrop of a severe and disapproving family back home, the haphazard rural Liberian transportation options, the resourcefulness required in the face of great needs of the village, and ominous political changes. You'll come to deeply care for this young woman. This quest would make a terrific book club selection. I enjoyed this book!

[Pat Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What were you doing at age 19? In Search of Pink Flamingos is an inspirational testament to Susan Greisen's courageous spirit, as she describes her two years serving in the 1970's Peace Corps in the remote Liberian village of Gowee, where witchcraft and primitive conditions prevailed. Her motivation to help others stemmed from her work ethic developed on a Nebraska family farm, plus her desire to leave, utilizing her training as a nursing assistant. You will read how she chose this unique book's title, as well as marvel at her inner strength, resillence, triumph of human spirit against great odds. I highly recommend this thought provoking read as we all experience personal challenges in our own journey of self discovery.

[Stephanie Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her memoir, In Search of Pink Flamingos, Susan shares how in her young life she knew that she wanted more than her family’s expectation of becoming a Nebraskan farmer’s wife. Through her story we see her resilience, determination and love for adventure and nursing. Susan didn’t let much deter her from embracing new experiences and getting the most out of each episode that she faced or sought. Her story is poignant and full of vivid stories that illustrate how as a young woman, she found and lived her passion and followed her search for the pink flamingos.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good on so many levels: as a story of her upbringing, her determination to choose her future, the descriptions of her time in Liberia, the use of language in the conversations she recounts. Entertaining and informative.

[Jane Macintyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and inspiriting story of a woman trying to seek where she can help and forgive .

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book that somebody had recommended at the last place we lived. Worth the read

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written book!

[Juliana West · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s journey was engaging, and I could personally relate to her struggle with having parents who didn’t support her life choices.

[Stephanie Giermek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much! It truly embodies the spirit on finding your passion and searching for what makes your heart happy despite other people’s opinions of what you should be and why. Self discovery is key to happiness.