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Charlie Black / 03 April 2013 / Categories: Books

Bite Of The Mango

Bite Of The Mango

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.

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ProsI learned a lot
Consgraphic for young readers

Charlie BlackCharlie Black

I am a blogger and freelance writer from Leicestershire. Love spending time with my family. I am the youngest of 6 kids, 5 sisters, one brother, everyone is married except me and my younger brother.

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What’s important to me? I am not flash or fancy. I am a little bit chubby and my hair, nails, etc are usually a mess. I prefer to be comfortable than dressed up that said I work hard, earn a decent amount of money I like to spend on overseas travel and collecting vintage jewellery which I buy and don’t wear. I am happier tracking in South America or on safari exploring animal sanctuaries and nature reserves across Africa where I have visited on five different occasions, Ghana, Senegal in West Africa, South Africa and Sudan and Kenya on the East coast. I would love to visit Victoria falls and see the Gorillas in Uganda. I am a vegetarian and don’t smoke but enjoy a glass of decent wine and love tasting local wine when I travel.

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