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Summary: What to read after you've finished Poisonwood Bible
Review: I work in an independent book store. For a year I have been communicating with a Rwandan woman, a Tutsi who survived the genocide and now would like to come to America with her 6 year old daughter to study Social Work. I have been reading as much as I can about Africa, Rwanda in particular. I read Philip Gourevitch's "We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families: stories from Rwanda," and Julian Pierce's novel "Speak Rwanda." Of course I devoured Barbara Kingsolver's "Poisonwood Bible." Then I noticed this biography "Land of a Thousand Hills, My Life in Rwanda," by Roz Carr. I was totally captivated by this incredible woman and completely taken in by her story of her life in Africa over the past 50 years. Rosamond Halsey Carr went with her husband to live in the Belgian Congo in 1949, 5 years before Barbara Kingsolver's fictitious family. As time went on, even though her marriage did not last, she chose to stay in this part of the world making it her home. She moved to Rwanda when the white settlers were forced out of Zaire in the early 1960's. Not only did she survive, she is still there, at age 88 running an orphanage for children who lost their families during the genocide. This book describes as nothing else has the reality of 20th century life in the Congo and Rwanda from the perspective of an "ordinary" white settler. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
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Summary: Enjoyable autobiography
Review: In 1949, South Orange socialite and Manhattan fashion designer Rosamund Halsey Carr worries that her marriage is going to fail. Trying to save it, Rosamund accompanies her spouse Kenneth, a renowned African hunter and explorer, to live in Rwanda. Though her efforts for marital bliss fail, over the next five decades Rosamund finds passion and love for THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS. This biography provides readers with much insight into the recent and not so recent deadly war between the Wahutu and Watutsi. Rosamund Halsey Carr brings five decades of East Africa to life through the author's first hand experiences. Anyone who expects sexual exploits and scandals in personal narratives need to look elsewhere. However, those who want an insightful look at a people and a land, this biography is worth reading. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: A Fantastic Book About One Amazing Woman!
Review: It's about time! Roz Carr is well known in Africa (and much of the rest of the world) for her amazing dedication to the orphanes of Rwanda. Her book gives readers a unique view of her strength, joy, trials and courage. Her early years in Rwanda, her friendship with the late Dr. Dian Fossey and her love of Rwanda shine through in this loving biography. This book has anticipated for months. Thanks should also go to Ann Halsey for bringing Rosamond Carr's life story to the world.
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Summary: A Stunning Portrait of Life & Love in Rwanda
Review: Ms. Carr's experience in Rwanda, Africa are nothing shy of amazing, miraculous, and exciting! This woman lived through all the terrors and the triumphs of this tiny African nation. She got to know and love the people who dwelt there. She tells her story with the love of someone speaking of a favorite child. No pretensions or abstract notions here, just life in the raw! A fascinating, can't-wait-to-turn-the-page thriller!
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Summary: Give back to this world we live in
Review: This book has made me realize that life is so precious and not for a moment I will ever take mine for granted again. Very soul searching...what a book..just read it! You will sell the mercedes and dedicate your life to the real things that matter in this world.
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Summary: An excellent story written with affection and admiration.
Review: This book is an excellent read. It provides an interesting perspective of the history and culture of Rwanda from the first hand. For those of us who have never been really sure what the Hutu/Tusi conflict was about, this book provides a clear explanation.
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Summary: What to read after you've finished Poisonwood Bible
Review: What a story! I don't think many of us could endure all that Roz Carr did for as long as she did. There was humor, there was romance, there was elephants, there was fun, and there was such unspeakable horror that was never really reported in the media. Someone complained that they didn't like the political slant in the story but that's like saying you don't like War and Peace because of the politics in the book. The politics of that region IS the story otherwise it would've been just another adventure book by a white woman in Africa. This woman had the courgage and strength you read about in pioneer stories. And then she took on all those poor children and put her life on the line constantly as well as her partner. They both deserve medals. I was amazed at how much was covered in the small amount of pages this book had. This is a woman young girls can look up to as an example of courage and determination. And the fact that she was in her '80's and still kept on like a younger woman is very astounding. This story was magnificant!
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Summary: Magnificant!
Review: What a story! I don't think many of us could endure all that Roz Carr did for as long as she did. There was humor, there was romance, there was elephants, there was fun, and there was such unspeakable horror that was never really reported in the media. Someone complained that they didn't like the political slant in the story but that's like saying you don't like War and Peace because of the politics in the book. The politics of that region IS the story otherwise it would've been just another adventure book by a white woman in Africa. This woman had the courgage and strength you read about in pioneer stories. And then she took on all those poor children and put her life on the line constantly as well as her partner. They both deserve medals. I was amazed at how much was covered in the small amount of pages this book had. This is a woman young girls can look up to as an example of courage and determination. And the fact that she was in her '80's and still kept on like a younger woman is very astounding. This story was magnificant!
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Summary: A fantastic piece of work!
Review: What an extraordinary piece of work by an extraordinary woman. I loved this book! I have read countless books about Africa and the people who lived there...and very few can compare. To think that Carr still lives in Rwanda today is incredible! It is a definite page-turner with detail so vivid, you feel like you are either experiencing the beauty and wonders of Rwanda, or unfortunately, the horrors of war. My intent in selecting this book was to learn more about the 1994 Genocide that occurred in Rwanda, which I did. But I also had the privilege of being taken into Carr's private world as well. Her description of her friendship with Dian Fossey was haunting and memorable. I highly recommend this book, and plan on reading it again.
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