A House in the Sky: A Memoir (Thorndike Press Large Print Nonfiction) - Softcover

Lindhout, Amanda; Corbett, Sara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594137471 ISBN 13: 9781594137471

Publisher: Large Print Pr, 2014

Synopsis

The "New York Times" bestselling memoir of a woman whose curiosity led her to the world's most remote places and then into fifteen months of captivity: "Exquisitely told...A young woman's harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph" ("The New York Times Book Review").
As a child, Amanda Lindhout escaped a violent household by paging through issues of "National Geographic" and imagining herself visiting its exotic locales. At the age of nineteen, working as a cocktail waitress, she began saving her tips so she could travel the globe. Aspiring to understand the world and live a significant life, she backpacked through Latin America, Laos, Bangladesh, and India, and emboldened by each adventure, went on to Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan. In war-ridden Afghanistan and Iraq she carved out a fledgling career as a television reporter. And then, in August 2008, she traveled to Somalia--"the most dangerous place on earth." On her fourth day, she was abducted by a group of masked men along a dusty road.
Held hostage for 460 days, Amanda survives on memory--every lush detail of the world she experienced in her life before captivity--and on strategy, fortitude, and hope. When she is most desperate, she visits a house in the sky, high above the woman kept in chains, in the dark.
Vivid and suspenseful, as artfully written as the finest novel, "A House in the Sky" is "a searingly unsentimental account. Ultimately it is compassion--for her naive younger self, for her kidnappers--that becomes the key to Lindhout's survival" ("O, The Oprah Magazine").

About this title

Review:

Exquisitely told [A House in the Sky"] is much more than a gonzo adventure tale gone awry it s a young woman s harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph .There s no self-pity or grandiosity in these pages. In the cleanest prose, she and Corbett allow events both horrific and absurd to unfold on their own. Lindhout s resilience transforms the story from a litany of horrors into a humbling encounter with the human spirit. --Eliza Griswold "The New York Times Book Review "

"An amazing, mesmerizing tale that shows international terrorism at a shockingly personal level. Lindhout's strength of character shines through on every page."--Jane Mayer, author of The Dark Side

"If you have ever wondered how extraordinary people overcome physical and mental anguish, you must read A House in the Sky". Amanda Lindhout's riveting account of strength and survival will inspire and leave a lasting impression."--Jared Cohen, author of The New Digital Age

Exquisitely told ["A House in the Sky"] is much more than a gonzo adventure tale gone awry it s a young woman s harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph .There s no self-pity or grandiosity in these pages. In the cleanest prose, she and Corbett allow events both horrific and absurd to unfold on their own. Lindhout s resilience transforms the story from a litany of horrors into a humbling encounter with the human spirit. --Eliza Griswold "The New York Times Book Review ""

Lindhout manages to tell her story and to transcend it. Her account stands as a nonfiction companion to Emma Donoghue s shattering, haunting novel about captivity, "Room". --Emily Bazelon "Slate ""

A poetic, profound, and thrilling exploration of one woman s misadventure set against the backdrop of global terrorism Elegant and evocative. --Rebecca Johnson "Vogue ""

A great book The lesson [Amanda Lindhout] taught me and others who know this remarkable young woman is: What matters is not how you got there, but what you do once you ve arrived. --Robert Draper "ELLE ""

[A] harrowing, beautifully written memoir .The wide-eyed optimism and unflappable determination that led [Amanda Lindhout] to danger also kept her alive A brave, compassionate and inspiring triumph. --Korina Lopez "USA Today (4-star review) ""

A searingly unsentimental account Ultimately, it is compassion for her naive younger self, for her kidnappers that becomes the key to [Lindhout s] survival. --Holly Morris "O, the Oprah magazine ""

Keenly observed and sprinkled with arresting details, "A House in the Sky" is more than one woman s heartbreaking tale of captivity. The book sheds light on a conflict area not often painted with nuance. It dares to explore the outer reaches of human empathy. A stunning, haunting, and redemptive read, Lindhout s story is one that stays with you long after the book has been closed. --Grace Bello "The Christian Science Monitor ""

About the Author:

Amanda Lindhout is the founder of the Global Enrichment Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports development, aid, and education initiatives in Somalia and Kenya. For more information, visit AmandaLindhout.com and GlobalEnrichmentFoundation.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Large Print Pr
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1594137471
• ISBN 13: 9781594137471
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 651