Review: Informative, enraging, and incredibly engaging
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2014
Mr. Herman has written a very well-edited, fast moving, credible (to me) story of horror and heroism, with very strong female and African characters as well. Whether intended or not, though, his book had me boiling at the tolerance we continue to have for so-called "cultures" (mostly tribal) that believe in genocide, female genital mutilation, the overall subjection of women, and blind faith in warlord figures. I would happily see such groups of alleged humanity totally exterminated. The Janjaweed in Sudan are a good example. What would the world lose if every one of them were killed? In my view, nothing. Certainly not if all the males were killed, and the women educated to understand they have worth, and need not yield to subhuman, predatory and horrific traditions. I doubt I will ever forget some of the images in this novel. Sadly, they are all too real. Thank you for a necessary novel, Mr. Herman. I recommend it without reserve, but warn any reader to be prepared to get very angry, and to feel some despair at the human condition.