Chapter 21 Conclusion

 “A Long Way Gone” was probably the most emotional, heart wrenching, and gory book that I have had to read for school. Although with that being said, it was by far my favorite. Right from the beginning of the book, Beah captured your interest. He just put it all out on the table and did not hold back, and that’s what I like about him.

            I believe that I would not have been so affected by this book if it had not been for Invisible Children or sadly, the gore of it. Unfortunately, what would capture people about this book would be the violence and gore. Like a car crash, you hate to look, but you have to. Although, after you look past the violence and gore of the book, you can look into the life of Ishmael Beah, and that is what begins to break you down.

            Yes, although this book was graphic, I would not have rather read any other book. This book just shows how badly the world was, and still is. Child soldiers still exist, and that is why Ishmael Beah is still talking about his life and book to this day.  I admire Ishmael Beah very much, and am proud that he had the guts to put his life into public’s eye.

Chapters 19&20 Response

 19: Chapter nineteen was upsetting in the beginning. When he was to leave the Benin Home and actually leaving was hard. It amazed me that he lost contact with all these people, even his friends. It also makes me wonder if these people are still alive and have heard of him since, or have even seen the book.

            The nightclub scene I thought was extremely cute. It made me feel happy for Ishmael that he finally got to be a normal kid for once, just sneaking out and partying, being a kid.

            On the interview day, for once in this book I actually laughed and found something comical. When Beah wrote about how he could not figure out “the metal box”, I found it entertaining. Although, I also became frustrated, like Ishmael was, when the man kept smiling during the interview.  I also found it frustrating when the man operating the passports and the woman at the UN embassy asked so many unnecessary questions.

            20: Chapter twenty was probably the most lighthearted chapter in the whole book for me. Comical events happened like not knowing what snow was, being introduced to strange food, and not knowing how to operate a thermostat, which made me feel happy.

            I am sad to know that this book is almost over, and I don’t want the last chapter to come. This has been probably my most favorite book that I have had to read of class.

            At the end of chapter twenty Beah writes, “I was sad to leave, but I was also pleased to have met people outside of Sierra Leone.  Because if I was to get killed upon my return, I knew that a memory of my existence was alive somewhere in the world.”(pg.200) That quote right there was probably the most touching passage in the entire book. It amazes me that just a kid my age would think that deeply about their life.

Chapters 17&18

 17: At the beginning of chapter seventeen, you can see Ishmael’s old life coming back dimly. This is because Ester gives him a walkman with rap music, which makes him start to remember his past life. I think it was clever of Ester to only let him listen to the Walkman when he came to see her because then he would come more often and recover more quickly.

            The flashback that occurred in this chapter was rather disturbing and made me feel terribly for Ishmael. When he describes how he was shot in the foot and how the bullet was brutally taken out makes me relieved that he can actually walk after it.

            18: Chapter eighteen was actually pretty good for Ishmael. His relationship with Esther improved and is very strong, like brother and sister, he was reunited with his childhood friend Mohammad, and he was appointed the spokesperson of the Benin Home.

            All these events happening made me happy for Ishmael because things are finally going somewhat right for him. He is finally somewhat happy. What topped the whole two chapters for me was when Leslie found Ishmael’s uncle, Tommy. Finally I am happy for Ishmael and hopelessly want his life to stay well like this.

Book Suggestions

I don't necessarily have a book in mind to suggest, but I do have types of books that I like. I prefer fiction books to nonfiction because they are more fun and can go many different ways. Although, I am enjoying reading "A Long Way Gone", which is nonfiction. I don't really care what book we read as long as it's not in the category of adventure or action. I tend to like books that are somewhat twisted because their weirdness captivates my interest.

Chapters 15&16 Response

 15: Chapter fifteen finally made me believe that some good can come out of this book. When the INICEF people came, it was a huge sigh of relief for me, especially why Ishmael was picked to go with them.

            Although I was happy that Ishmael and other boys got to go to the rehabilitation camp, it saddened me to know that all they still wanted to do was kill. It’s sad to know that all they thought about was killing and drugs. They had no idea why they were brought to the camp and still killed.

            16: What really stuck out to me in chapter sixteen was when they went into the city of Freetown. It amazed me how when they saw little things like tall buildings or cars got their minds off of killing and war.

            What I liked about this chapter were the flashbacks. Although they were again, gruesome, I liked them. The first flashback showed how much the war movies had an effect on the boys. Like Alhaji being like Rambo and slitting the throats of the soldiers.

            Near the end of this chapter, it was sad to see the affects of the war on the boys. For example, Beah wrote about himself, “I’d wake up sweating and throwing punches In the air. I would run outside to the middle of the soccer filed and rock back and forth, my arms wrapped around my legs. I would try desperately to think about my childhood, but I couldn’t. The war memories had formed a barrier that I had to break in order to think about any moment in my life before the war.” (pg. 149)

Chapters 13&14 Response

            Chapters thirteen and fourteen were by far the most graphic and heart wrenching chapters thus far. In chapter thirteen, I felt so badly for all of the boys’ first time in the battlefield. Although they had trained for that day, the initial reaction to all of the bloodshed was too much for them to handle. When Musa died from his backbone being shattered, it made my heart ache for Ishmael to know that the rebels took yet another one of his friends away from his life.

            A huge part of these two chapters had to do with an excessive amount of drug use. It sickens me to know that all these boys did was do all of these drugs. That the only reason they are able to kill without feeling sorry is because of the drugs.

            Another part in chapter fourteen that also bothered me was the rewards for killing rebels. I thought it was terrible that people, even though they were rebels, were lined up in front of innocent, young boys and were murdered. Just that image in my head makes me feel sick. Also being rewarded for it makes it even worse.

            I admire Ishmael Beah for having the courage to write this. To not leave out details that others would be uncomfortable sharing to the public. By doing this, it makes the story seem more real and I admire him for that.

Chapters 11&12 Response

All I can really say is wow. If I had to describe these two chapters in three words I would probably say: graphic, gruesome, and emotional. The day before the boys arrived to the village where their families were, the weather was odd. Ishmael writes that half of the sky was blue, while the other was clouded. Then it began to rain for only a short time. I somewhat believe that this was a sign from possibly God saying that something strange, like the weather, is going to happen.

            When the boys arrived at the village, I became extremely hopeful. I thought that just maybe things could go right for once and that some of the boys would be able to reunite with their families.

            As the boys were coming down the hill and the gunshots sounded, my heart dropped. From then I just knew that he was soon going to become a child soldier. Although Beah’s writing of the raid was extremely gruesome and graphic, I admire him for being able to write it. I think that it takes a lot to tell a story like this and include every single fact and detail.

            In chapter twelve, I could not have felt more sorry for all of the children. When the lieutenant told everyone that they must either fight or leave, I knew from then on Ishmael’s identity was a child soldier. I became extremely angry every time, “the rebels who killed your parents, family, and those who are responsible for everything that has happened to you.”

            Overall these two chapters I believe have been both the most graphic and emotional. I think that Ishmael Beah is a strong man for being able to get through all of this and be able to tell the stories as his life as a child soldier.

Chapter 10 Response

Chapter ten was a long and emotion filled chapter. One of the hardest parts for me was reading the boys’ stories of when the rebels attacked. Saidu’s story was the most emotional for me personally with the sisters. How he said everyday he carried the pain that his sisters and parents had to go through from the rebels.

            When the boys got to the busy and crowded village, I became excited and hopeful that some of the boys would find their families. Although the boys were going through the war and being alone, it was nice that they were able to let loose and have fun for once in that village.

            By far the saddest part of this chapter would be when Saidu passes away. The way Beah wrote how they thought he just passed out again, but how he wouldn’t wake up after shaking him or pouring water on him was difficult to take in. Death in general is a hard thing to endure. Even when you didn’t know this little boy that died, Beah’s talent of writing made you feel like you knew him. Chapter ten was one of the most difficult chapters to read so far. Hopefully the other boys don’t die this way or at all.

Chapter 8&9 Response

After reading chapter eight, I liked how Beah had flashbacks to his youth with his grandparents. It made me see him as more of a person, than a little boy lost and alone in the forest. When Beah writes about how he had the run-in with the wild hogs, I became nervous. This is because I thought he was setting it up to be rebels. Before Beah found the six other boys, I can’t imagine how he lived for an entire month without human contact. I couldn’t survive if that were me.

            In chapter nine, Beah shows that even if war causes people to lose all trust and hope, there are still some people that can help you through. I think that it was extremely thoughtful and generous of the young man on the beach to let seven boys that could have potentially killed him live with him. I am yet again astonished that the rap music saved Ishmael’s life again. The rap music had saved his life twice before, but the third time with the chief is amazing. When sometime like that happens, you know that you are supposed to live. Like Ishmael Beah’s father said, “If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die”. I believe that goes for Ishmael’s life. 

Chapters 6&7 Response

            After reading chapters six and seven, I am somewhat relieved to know that not every chapter is filled with gruesome, graphic bloodshed. At the beginning of chapter six, when the men captured the boys, I held my breath the whole time. It amazed me how rap music yet again saved their lives. Rap music led them out of the village that was attacked by the rebels in the first place and then saved their lives from being recognized by a fellow villager.

            Also in chapter six, I liked how Beah flashbacked to the time with his brother and farming. Although it saddens me to know that all he wanted was to be asked if he was okay. All he wanted was love and sympathy. Unfortunately, there could not be just one chapter of lightheartedness and Beah concludes that in chapter six that that was the last time he saw his brother, Junior.

            Making up for the lack of bloodshed in chapter six, Beah describes in chapter seven when the rebels come and attack. Although it was religion to not interrupt prayer, it makes me angry that the imam could not just stop once to save his life. All he had to do was listen to his fellow villagers and it could have saved his life. As Beah wrote at the end of chapter six, he could not find his brother, Junior, or his friends. He was only left with one, Kaloko. Nearing the end of chapter seven after Beah left his hiding place and is walking alone, it disgusts me that people could not trust a twelve year old. When Ishmael encounters the family at the river, the man could not trust him. Because of the war, all trust was lost. It sickens me that children like Beah were left alone fending for themselves.  

Chapters 3-5 Response

            After reading chapters three, four, and five, I am still amazed by Beah’s talent of writing. I just thought reading the first two chapters was hard, but just reading about the pain and suffering he had to go through kills me.

            When the rebels first abduct the boys, it made me feel extreme anxiety. Although it had already happened, I wish that I could have protected them. I could not believe the cruelty of the rebels to the old man. Beah writes that before the war, young people were expected to respect their elders, but during the war, it had made at total change. For example, when the young rebels throw the old man to the ground, I felt terribly for him. Also, the fact that the boys were forced to laugh or be killed. That pushed me over the edge.

            It sickens me that this happened to Ishmael Beah and all the other children, and that just a book informs people. Although we have only read five chapters, I feel connected to Beah as a child and want to know what happens next. I also feel more connection to this book because of Invisible Children. I believe that this will be a tough read for me emotionally because of that.

Chapters 1&2 Response

            After reading the only the first two chapters of “A Long Way Gone”, I am already sucked into the story. The way Ishmael Beah writes his autobiography makes you grasping for more. His style of writing is just straight on and true. He basically just tells it like it was and is not trying to beat around the bush. He is not trying to make it seem better than it was, when in all actually the events he experienced were terrible.

            Another thing I like about Ishmael Beah is that in only two chapters of reading, I already feel terribly for him and want to know what happened next. The way he sets up the story of his life as a pleasant time with his friends, just being kids and acting innocent. Acting like any other kid would at their age, listening to music and dancing. He then is taken aback with the rebels raid in his home village.

            After reading just the beginning of the book, I am both looking forward to reading what happens next but also fearful of what will happen. I know that Ishmael will be abducted, and it will become extremely graphic, but I want to know his life story if it means being completely appalled by what has happened to him.