ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL

I had no idea until I read this book, which is one woman's story told in a simple narrative that over 20,000 have had their hands, limbs and ears amputated by rebel militia in the conflict in Sierra Leone, a small diamond producing country in West Africa.

The reason is even more unfathomable, the soldiers, many of whom were coersed and drugged children themselves, believed if they cut off peoples hands they would be unable to vote for a corrupt president and so they would get rid of him.

Mariatu was only 12 years old when she was raped and had her hands cut off in a brutal attack she descibes coldly and with clarity in her book. Something it is difficult to imagine anyone having to endure, let alone a child.

The story goes on to document the deep depression she falls into as she sees family members murdered and faces her life without hands then how joining a theatre group helps her overcome and move forward.

This is such a powerful story of real courage and endurance. You also get the nasty taste, that just won't go away of the horible illogical action taking place in a country rich in landscape, diamonds but also corruption.

Mariatu did get a sponsor to help her write her story and move to Toronto, Canada where she now lives.

There were a few gaps for me in the story like how she got her new hands but saying that the book has a resonance and strength that I believe will stay with me. It certainly made me extremely grateful for my life and more so than ever, my hands. Throughout the read I looked at them a lot just holding the book.

This book is promoted as a story for teens and young adults, personally I think it might be a bit much for anyone who is not mature enough to understand too many things that happen in this life are so wrong and don't make any sense at all as it is very graphic and brutal at times.