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Strength in What Remains

Kidder, Tracy

  10 Reviews

It sounds like a made-up story: young man escapes from scenes of horror in genocidal civil war affected country, arrives in New York unable to speak English and with two hundred dollars to his name; strangers befriend him and support him to study as a doctor at a prestigious university and medical school.

This is the life of Deogratis Niyizonkiza who arrives in the United States from Burundi in 1994. This story considers the background to the Burundi conflict while serving testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of hope and the kindness of strangers. An important book with a powerful and inspirational message.

Comments from Groups

Quite a powerful book. The quote at the end of the first paragraph on p187 summarised the feelings of the reader - "They were not themselves, they were something else." It clarified the position and the brutality of the people in Rwanda and Burundi, and seemed to explain the Middle Eastern situation. Worth a read to gain an insight into that area's political troubles. Christchurch 317

In general, this book was enjpyed by all, although quite a few felt the first half of the book rated much better. It was written well and there was the right balance of violent material to an interesting insight into tribal people and their way of life in peaceful times. We all found it interesting how the power of some people can make peaceful people turn on each other. An enlightening story, but it left lots of unanswered questions. Invercargill 003

The first part was horrifying, informative and interesting, but when the author started writing about the process of writing the book, we all lost interest. We didn't think that jumping between time zones worked well, and would have preferred the story to be in chronological order. Auckland 050

The group found this book sobering, powerful and insightful. Few of us had fully appreciated the scale of the genocide in Rwanda/Burundi previously, and our discussion centred largely on this, together with civilisation as a whole, and what our species is capable of. Martinborough 003

The book was a beautifully written account of a wonderful young man. We felt the way it was written brought us face to face with the way he had to relive his terrible nightmarish past in order to find a way of making some healing sense of it. Pahiatua 001

This wasn't a book to 'enjoy' - a truly tragic story of violence begetting violence yet with a thread of hope. Instances of kindness throughout reveal the effect this has on Deo, who perseveres in many ways to improve his situation. while fighting the demons of his past. Whakatane 005

Pages
283
Year
2010

Reviews

NEWP 023
02-08-2024
A harrowing read about his journey but made for great discussion as a few of our members had been to Rwanda. Interesting!
CHCH 194
24-11-2023
A powerful book contrasting the brutality of some with the achievements and positivity of one.
TAUR 043
17-04-2023
Many found the book a harrowing read. A couple in the group didn't finish it, but most were pleased they had read the story of Deo. His ability to overcome the tremendous slaughter and destruction of lives was remarkable, saying a lot about the human spirit.
SUTHER 001
18-02-2019
Enlightening, gruesome and visceral, but what an amazing person Deo was/is.
WHANGA 001
18-02-2019
All were very positive about the book. The author was able to bring Deo to life for us. He is inspiring and the people who helped him were inspiring as well. Tracy Kidder's style of writing certainly made it possible for us to see life through the eyes of both himself and Deo.
TAUR 016
18-02-2019
A very good book! Everybody agreed on that and it triggered a wide-ranging discussion on world affairs; the extraordinary person that Deo is; and even the role God may or may not play in this world. The history of Rwanda/Burundi was of particular interest: so much we just don't know. Tracy Kidder much applauded too for his writing style and personal testimony.
GISB 003
18-02-2019
Interesting and informative discussion with 100% of the group feeling the book was worth reading. The second half was rather long - it could have stopped earlier rather than reliving the horrors.
PAIHIA 001
18-02-2019
Fascinating read, a story of suffering and a story of hope. We all loved it.
AUCK 055
18-02-2019
What an amazing account of one man's struggle to stay alive in war torn Burundi and Rwanda - at times horrendous, harrowing and distressing, but finally as Deo reaches his goal - uplifting.
WHAKA 012
18-02-2019
It was a horrendous story but so well-written that we all finished the book. Deo certainly had amazing strength and resolve to pursue his education and dream. Looking for other books by Tracy Kidder.