Great African Reads discussion

The non-fiction selection for Rwanda is We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families. An interesting piece of criticism of the book noted in Wikipedia entry is "What is missing from Gourevitch's account is the how and why of the killings. It is one thing to describe the horror, another to explain the motivations that occasioned the carnage. ... The absence of attention to the history of the country creates a portrait of a genocide that is insensitive to the complexity of the circumstances. In essence, Gourevitch's story reduces the butchery to the tale of bad guys and good guys, innocent victims and avatars of hate."

We may want to keep this in mind as we read and point each other to background and context.

I read and loved this book. The subject matter and content is not easy and not for the weak of heart. But, it was very informative. I don't think it's bad to concentrate on conflict's aftermath rather than it's reasons. Knowing the reasons is good. But seeing the consequences of (senseless) conflict can also be a learning opportunity. Many a gun is shot by someone who doesn't think through the consequences, who might not have done so if they had known the havoc it wreaks. I think we have learned with the Rwandan genocide and so many other horrible events, that we don't always learn from the past like we should. But if people can at least recognize the consequences of past conflicts and understand the damage it can cause to a country, community or individual, maybe some conflict can be deterred.

I wouldn't have given that criticism to this book - it's almost like criticizing a book for being the wrong genre. True, it doesn't deal with causes. But I see this book as a detailed, graphic picture of what went on. Less a biography of the genocide, and more a snapshot in time. A very powerful read.

Unfortunately I won't get to read this before the end of the year, but I like both of your criticisms about the criticism :)