This month we are reviewing the book A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
At the age of nineteen, Amanda Lindhout moved from her hardscrabble hometown to the big city and worked as a cocktail waitress, saving her tips so she could travel the globe. Aspiring to understand the world and live a significant life, she backpacked through Latin America, Laos, Bangladesh, and India, and went on to Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan. In war-ridden Afghanistant and Iraq, she carved out a fledgling career as a reporter. And then, in August 2008, she traveled to Somalia – “the most dangerous place on earth” – to report on the fighting there. On her fourth day in the country, she and her photojournalist companion were abducted.
A House in the Sky illuminates the psychology, motivations, and desperate extremism of Lindhout’s young guards and the men in charge of them. Kept in chains and subjected to horrific abuse, she survives by imagining herself in a “house in the sky”, finding strength and hope in the power of her own mind. Her story is a moving testament to the power of compassion and forgiveness.
Reviews
“I found this story to be a great read. The strength and determination Amanda demonstrates throughout her harrowing ordeal is truly amazing. This is a story told from a unique perspective and while, at times it is devastating; there are many opportunities throughout the book where I found myself reflecting on how fortunate we are to live in North America and to have all the freedoms we so easily take for granted. I would definitely recommend this book.” – Review by Shelley
“A riveting true story of a young Canadian woman’s love of exotic travel that startlingly leads to a harrowing imprisonment in Somalia, ‘the most dangerous place on earth’. Her fearlessness, courage and will to survive captured me from start to end.” – Review by Eva
Book of the Month
Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know.
