God Sleeps In Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation is written by Joseph Sebarenzi, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s and a former speaker of the Rwandan parliament. The title of the book, God Sleeps In Rwanda, comes from an ancient Rwandan saying that means “God spends the day elsewhere, but he sleeps in Rwanda.” This saying can be a double entendre that refers both to Rwanda’s natural beauty and its history of violence.
Sebarenzi, a Tutsi, lost his parents, family members, and friends to the 1994 genocide, when hundreds of thousands of people, mainly Tutsi, were killed by a Hutu-dominated government. Sebarenzi has suffered what one can call unforgivable losses, but in God Sleeps in Rwanda, he tries to find forgiveness in his heart, come to peace with what had happened, and move forward to bring peace to his country.
This book reminded me a bit of Elie Wiesel‘s Night (about the Holocaust) and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn‘s Gulag Archipelago (about the Soviet forced labor camps) in that it’s the narrative of a man who has survived one of the worst violations of human life and dignity in history, and is now in the process of coming to terms with why ordinary men can commit extraordinary horrors.
This is a good book to read. This is a hard book to read. All I can say is – bring out the tissue boxes when you are reading God Sleeps In Rwanda. I tried to read this book in the airport on a trip but got too embarrassed to continue, because I was on the verge of crying my eyes out.
Book is hardcover and in excellent condition (I read it once).
For a chance to win this book, please do the following for up to 5 entries per person:
- 1 entry = tweet this giveaway with @WellHeeledBlog and a link to this post
- 1 entry = become a fan on Facebook
- 1 entry = sign up for RSS updates
- 1 entry = blog about this giveaway
- 1 entry = comment on this post about a book you recommend
**If you’ve done any of the above, please leave a comment and let me know so I can count your entries. Deadline is March 19 at midnight PST.
image source: coverbrowser.com
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If you like historical books, I recommend 'The Worst Hard Time' by Tim Egan. It's about the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. It is a good read, and it's very informative about the things going on in the plains states regarding the depression and obviously, the Dust Bowl. If you like historical fiction, I would read 'The Help' by Katheryn Stockett. I'm reading that now and it's about the culture of whites and blacks in the 60s. Two great reads!
Two books that I've read in the past year are:
1. The Price of Everything by Russ Roberts
2. Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman
Both of these books were on Greg Mankiw's (Harvard Econ Professor) freshman economics class reading list along with several others and I enjoyed these two the most. Anyone interested in economics and public policy would really enjoy them too.
Price of Everything is super-easy primer of economics that's presented in a novel form. As expected, Milton Friedman's book is a bit more technical. Something for the beginner and the advanced, I guess!
Going to do some more entries – Haha. Thanks!
Wow that book sounds heavy. I saw "Sometimes in April" in class and couldn't hold it in, I was bawling in front of the teacher and my classmates. So I know what you mean about a tearjerker. It really was a horrible part of our world history, and hopefully, as a global community, we can learn from this to prevent its recurrence. Although the situation in Darfur is a total reflection that we are doomed to repeat the errors of the past.
"We learn from history that we learn nothing from history" – that's a quotation I read somewhere, and it's funny and sad at the same time. Sigh.
I have you in my Google Reader – I think that's all I need to do for RSS?
As for a book I recommend, how about "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. It's really interesting and about a tough subject, but still a very fast-paced and engaging read with its lighter moments.
Two people recommended The Help.. definitely will have to check it out.
Thanks for the rec!
This sounds like a very heart-wrenching story. Would love to check it out!
Hi Wellheeled! A friend of mine just introduced your blog to me and I can't stop reading! I just signed up for your RSS feed and linked it to my google reader! Keep on blogging please!
Also, a classic I recommend to everyone, Lois Lowry – The Giver. A very easy read (some school districts have it listed as a high school reading list requirement) and also very thought provoking.
.. two entries please?
Hi Alice – welcome to WellHeeledBlog!
I'm glad your you like this blog and thanks for subscribing. I've read The Giver (love young adult books) – it's great. Maybe it's time I revisit it again. Two entries it is!
I love the book Wide Awake by Erwin Raphael McManus . Its such a great book. I'm also going to blog about your giveaway! Enjoy your weekend
A great True Crime book I recommend is “Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss” by Phillip Carlo. It discusses the interesting life of mobster turned government informant turned outcast Anthony Casso.
I retweeted and am a RSS subscriber.
I have been seen blubbering while reading (or watching a movie) on airplanes more than once. It's so embarassing!
A book I would recommend is "The Time Traveler's Wife". I haven't seen the movie as I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the book.
I would love to read this book. I recommend THE INNER VOICE OF LOVE by Henri Nouwen and THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW by Philip Yancey.
I fanned you on Facebook.
Tweeted!
this sounds like my kind of book! if you are interested in books pertaining to Rwanda, you might also enjoy 'The Blue Sweater' by Jacqueline Novogratz. i recently read and reviewed it on my blog and it was excellent.
by chance, i was just watching a tv special on genocide this evening and i was absolutely riveted when it got to the section on Rwanda. it is such a tragic and compelling time in history – and if this is anything like Wiesel's Night, then i'm sure it is a great book.
i tweeted about your contest: http://twitter.com/thelittlereader/statuses/10115...
and i'm a fan on FB now – lisa shea
thanks for the great giveaway!
Sounds like a good read!
I highly recommend reading or rereading Great Expectations by Dickens
email subscriber–maynekitty//at//live//dot//com
I'm in – thanks! Recommend: Automatic Wealth by Michael Masterson
cool – I'm in
tweeted 3/13
http://twitter.com/maynekitty/status/10418828273
i recommend The Help by Kathryn Stockett as well. I am currently reading it and can't put it down.