A LONG WAY GONE
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We have all heard about the conflicts, despair, poverty, genocide and what not, taking place in different parts of Africa. The Dark continent - as it is called - has been a very ignored part of our planet. While we are busy in our daily lives, worrying about taxes, governments, terrorists, economy, poverty and disease, there are children dying an anonymous death in inhospitable environments.
A Long way gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah is one book I picked up on recommendation from, who else, Sari Bua...My guide to good book read. This bestselling novel is a true story of the author and his experiences as a twelve year old, growing up in civil war stricken Sierra Leone. When rebels attack his village, Ishmael and his friends are forced to run for their lives, because they know that if they are caught, they'd be forced to join the rebel army. For months together, they continue to evade the rebels, running through thick forests, villages, losing friends and family on the way, while the rebel army continues to systematically destroy the nation, pillaging, raping and murdering indiscriminately.
After months of evading, Beah and his friends find themselves in a village controlled by the National Army. They think they are safe in the village but the army compels him to fight against the rebels, as a revenge for the atrocities against him and his family. Despite being so young, Ishmael readily joins the cause and fights for over 2 years, turning into a cold-blooded killer who goes about killing and maiming others. He lives a constantly drug-induced life with an endless supply of marijuana. Though he starts out thinking he is fighting for a good cause, he finds himself descending further and further into moral decay.
He is taken to Freetown and handed over to a UNICEF rehabilitation program where he struggles to overcome his drug addiction and also to give up his violent past. It takes a lot of time and effort on his part to be integrated into what is termed as a "civilised society".
The story is a grim reminder of all the trials and tribulations of children in other parts of the world..that children are spending their childhood with guns and bombs. While Beah was able to escape this life to a better one in America, about 300,000 child soldiers are still in Sierra Leone, trying to get back to a normal life. The story also makes us wonder about the vulnerability of a young mind and how a good person was lured into killer ways. Though the ending might seem pretty abrupt, it is still a good read.
A LONG WAY GONE is an important book and is worth the read. Especially for those of us who have had a well sheltered and protected childhood, and how lucky we are. It should make us sit up and take notice that children who should enjoy their childhood, are left to fend for themselves and being turned into cold-blooded killers, as we continue to struggle with something as petty as traffic. It surely makes us think.
A WONDERFUL READ. MUST HAVE.
Excerpt:
My high school friends have begun to suspect I haven’t told them the full story of my life. “Why did you leave Sierra Leone?” “Because there is a war.” “Did you witness some of the fighting?” “Everyone in the country did.” “You mean, you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other?” “Yes, all the time.” “Cool.” I smile a little. “You should tell us about it sometime.” “Yes, sometime.”
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