89 pages • 2 hours read
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After
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Book Brief
The Girl Who Smiled Beads
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018288
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Rwanda • 1990s
2018
Adult
18+ years
800L
Super Short Summary
The Girl Who Smiled Beads is a memoir by Clemantine Wamariya, co-authored by Elizabeth Weil, that alternates between Wamariya's harrowing escape from the Rwandan genocide at age six with her sister Claire, their journey through seven African countries, and her struggles to adapt in America after moving there in 2000. Wamariya navigates the dehumanizing aspects of refugee life and the exploitation of her pain in America while seeking to reconnect with her family and her transformed identity.
Challenging
Emotional
Inspirational
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
25,943 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil has been lauded for its raw, compelling narrative that chronicles Wamariya's harrowing journey from Rwandan refugee to American citizen. Critics praise its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. Some note its nonlinear structure can be challenging, but overall, it’s a poignant and inspiring memoir.
Who Should Read The Girl Who Smiled Beads?
A reader who would enjoy The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil is interested in memoirs, social justice, and personal narratives of resilience. Fans of I Am Malala and Becoming would appreciate this poignant tale of survival and hope amidst the Rwandan genocide.
25,943 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Rwanda • 1990s
2018
Adult
18+ years
800L
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