God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation - Hardcover

Sebarenzi, Joseph

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1416575731 ISBN 13: 9781416575733

Publisher: Atria Books, 2009

Synopsis

A harrowing tale of survival and reconciliation by a Rwandan Tutsi who flees his homeland before the 1994 genocide and later returns to be elected speaker of the Rwandan parliament, only to be forced into exile once again

This memoir tells the story of Joseph Sebarenzi, whose parents, seven siblings, and countless other family members were among 800,000 Tutsi brutally murdered over the course of ninety days in 1994 by extremist Rwandan Hutu -- an efficiency that exceeded even that of the Nazi Holocaust.

Outbreaks of ethnic violence had been occurring in Rwanda since colonial times when the Belgians ruled the region. As a child, Sebarenzi twice hid with his mother during episodes of killing, narrowly escaping with his life. When he was a teenager, his father sent him away to school in Congo, telling him, "If we are killed, you will survive." Sebarenzi returned to Rwanda after the genocide and was elected speaker of parliament. But he then learned of a plot to assassinate him, leading him to once again flee the country in a daring escape.

The poetic title of the book is taken from an old saying, "God spends the day elsewhere, but He sleeps in Rwanda," but this African nation is not alone in having had a shameful history of ethnic violence. God Sleeps in Rwanda demonstrates how horrific events can occur when the rest of the world stands by and does nothing. It also shows us how the lessons of Rwanda can prevent future tragedies from happening in that country and other parts of the world. Readers will be inspired by the eloquence and wisdom of a man who has every reason to be bitter and hateful, but chooses instead to live a life of love, compassion, and forgiveness.

About this title

Review

"A remarkable achievement: to convey cruelty and courage, horror and survival, treachery and faith in a seamless story where the reality may appal but the attention never flags. Also a valuable afterword on the power and potential of forgiveness as a way forward anywhere." (Michael Henderson - author of ‘No Enemy to Conquer: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World’)

“Compelling and heartrending ... Readers will be swept up by this powerful narrative, with the remarkable arc of Sebarenzi’s life, and especially by his capacity to transform violence and embrace love ... Of Sebarenzi’s personal journey, one can only stand in awe, with gratitude that he has survived and that we are able to share in his journey.” (Paula Green - Professor, School for International Training Graduate Institute Director, Karuna Cente)

"An extraordinary book on the continuing drama of Rwanda. Well written, incisive and generous, it offers new insights into the past and proposes a roadmap for the future." (Filip Reyntjens - Professor of Law and Politics at the University of Antwerp, author of The Great Af)

"A passionate, heartfelt perspective about the tragedy, and his personal ordeal and survival. Sebarenzi writes with a concise, authoritative voice, and with exceptional clarity of Rwanda's complicated past and present." (Herb Boyd - author of 'Baldwin's Harlem')

Review

"A thoughtful critique of Kagame's regime." --Stephen Kinzer, Washington Post

Edition details

• Publisher: Atria Books
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1416575731
• ISBN 13: 9781416575733
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 260