This memoir
tracks Ishmael''s
journey through Sierra Leone, in his attempt to run away from the RUF, saving his life, and reaching a safe zone. The author guides the reader through narrow escapes and tactics to get by in a
war-torn Sierra Leone, where young
children like him are killed (or recruited) by either the militant RUF or the equally ruthless military. At the same time, with so many children being involved as
soldiers in the war, the
local populace they meet are suspicious of Ishmael and his friends making their journey all the worse. The book also tracks Ishmael''s recovery from the mental tortures he faced through his escapades, his fondness for a local nurse, and ultimately his way out into the "civilized" world. The work is not meant to be a political wake-up call since the author does not go into the reasons behind the strife and who''s responsible. The language throughout the work is not what you would expect from the typical Ivy League author, but still manages to hold ground and ensure the reader''s attention. Overall, a nice investment for time spent reading this.
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