Such a great read. I could NOT put this book down. An amazing story of strength and willpower.

What a powerful book! Amanda does a wonderful job of weaving in hints of her kidnapping into the early pages of her story, adding a touch of unease to her descriptions of discovering the world. Even though we know she survives her ordeal, the tension and horror of those 400+ days of captivity will haunt you forever. This is a book I will never forget.

9.

A well written memoir. This book was moving in so many ways...Amanda’s story is inspiring. Hard to believe that I didn't know it happened!

Amanda, a Canadian freelance journalist from Alberta, likes traveling around the world. She visits Kabul, Baghdad, Addis Ababa, Cairo, and finally, Somalia, where she is a captured and kept in captivity for 460 days. The book is a moving account of how Amanda stayed alive and how strength, endurance and the spirit of forgiveness can help a person to survive even the darkest moments. I was really inspired and touched by the journey Amanda has made and her willingness to share this story and to forgive her abusers. (Submitted by Ilona)

I'm surprised so many have said that the first chapters were slow and dragged on. I really appreciated hearing her travels and her descriptions of the exotic places that she visited. Places that most people will never in their lifetime visit.
What a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I was in awe of the strength and resilience that carried her through.

A harrowing memoir of a young Canadian woman held captive in Somalia for 15 months. Unfortunately for Amanda, she was blamed and judged for her experience. Why was she in such a dangerous country etc.? I think she does a good job explaining how it all came about. Though some said the beginning of the book was slow, I think she needed to show her great experiences with travel before Somalia--even in countries she was told not to go to like Pakistan and Afghanistan. This set up her decision to go to Somalia (along with being young and naive). While being held captive she showed strength of mind and spirit beyond expectation. Especially frustrating and crazy was the description of her attempted escape. Great reading even if you don't think you like nonfiction.

I missed my bus stop while reading this it was so good! That said, the first 15 chapters or so drag on for far too long. If the first part had been condensed, I would have rated it 5 full stars.

Real and powerful, this story is still on my mind after eighteen months. Beautifully written.

What comes through for me is Lindhout’s honesty – her willingness to own her impetuous decisions that landed her in this harrowing 15-month ordeal. I admire her strong minded attempt to stay positive, her resilience and resourcefulness, and her empathetic decision after her release to start a non-profit to help educate young Somalis. It’s a balanced account of her experience, told with introspection and the fullness of her human spirit.