My Take on the Books
A Mini-Review of
LEFT TO TELL
by: Immaculée Ilibagiza

Left to Tell is the moving personal account of Rwandan Holocaust survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza. In 1994, an estimated one million Rwandan Tutsis were exterminated by the Hutu youth group “Interahamwe” (“those who attack together”), solely because of their tribal affiliation. Immaculée’s entire family (with the exception of one brother who was attending college in Kenya) was murdered by their neighbors in their home of Kibuye. Of her immediate family, Immaculée alone was “left to tell” their story.

Ilibagiza, which means “shining and beautiful in body and soul,” was raised as a child of privilege in the small village of Mataba, overlooking beautiful Lake Kivu. She was sheltered from the knowledge that she was Tutsi, while many of her close friends were Hutu. Her first introduction to this all but invisible difference was in fourth grade, when her teacher took what she referred to as “ethnic roll call.” She was punished for not knowing to which group she belonged.

Tensions increased between the Hutu (who had been left in power by the departing Europeans) and the Tutsi (who had historically been granted greater access to education and more lucrative employment). Eventually war broke out between the Hutu and the Tutsi Rwandese Patriotic Front (“RPF”) who had been exiled into Kenya and Zaire. Hordes of Tutsi civilians, Immaculée's family included, became defenseless victims.

Immaculée’s touching story is informative, heartbreaking, and yet strangely uplifting. Her faith in God and her capacity for forgiveness of the worst kind of treachery saw her through illness, starvation, and the loss of her beloved brothers and parents. Her strength and courage should be an example for us all to follow.

Left to Tell parallels the story brought to the big screen by the 2005 film Hotel Rwanda, starring Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, manager of a Dutch hotel abandoned by its European staff and guests once the killing began.

Left to Tell is co-written by journalist Steve Erwin, with a foreword by inspirational lecturer and author Dr. Wayne Dyer.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

[© 09/17/2006]