A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

authors wrote their works in a multitude of ways. The time periods at which these authors wrote differed immensely. One author wrote at the time of the civil war, others during the Vietnam War, and another during World War II. The style at which they wrote was anything but similar. The variance of literature was as great as their time difference. Some expressed their writings in a way of short stories, poems, novels, science fiction war novels, and memoirs. Some had joined the military out of…

In the novel, A Long Way Gone; Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah. Coming into the middle section of the book, many new characters have been introduced, and some previous characters left the book. As I continue to read further into the book, the author's writing style becomes more harsh and forceful. Along with all of these, the novel has turned more violent and in tuned with the reality that Ishmael is facing. It seems like the group of boys that he met with, is going…

Cocaine: The Potent Powder “Use your head little soldier, keep the coke out your system...that won’t do away with the pain” (Master P). In the memoir, A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah, young Sierra Leonean soldiers, including the author himself, regularly abuse the stimulant cocaine for its crucial benefits on the merciless and demanding battlefield. Cocaine is “an addictive drug derived from coca or prepared synthetically” (Dictionary), producing a powerful high by acting on the brain,…

His book showed us that war is not romantic, but it is cruel. War changed boys to men, and they can never regain their innocence. Another similarity between both literary works is that they warn us. In Rumor of War, Caputo briefly mentions Wilfred Owen. “‘All a poet can do today is warn,’ Owen wrote” (Caputo 76). Caputo did not…

Rehabilitation is painful. Individuals are consumed with frustration, withdrawal, and anguish. In the memoirs, Bite of the Mango and A Long Way Gone, both narrators, Ishmael and Mariatu, experience this agonizing escape from addiction and trauma. Fortunately, they are blessed with the kindness of social workers and nurses that provide them with opportunities to live a life of purpose. Those who assisted both victims inform them of their circumstances and the condition of their country; these…

Sara Corbett the author of “The Lost Boys of Sudan; The Long, Long, Long Road to Fargo”. She was also nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards Best Memoir and Autobiography. She has written other books such as A House in the Sky: A Memoir, and Shake, Rattle and Strum. As a writer for The New York Times Magazine Sara Corbett has had some of her other articles have also appeared in National Geographic; Elle; Outside; O, The Oprah Magazine; Esquire; and Mother Jones. Mrs.Corbett is a caring and…

use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” (Huxley). Reading retains great influence and it’s lessons seem to be more impactful than those witnessed on Television or movies. I’m not sure exactly why I feel this way; maybe it is because you get to imagine what you are reading and are not bound by the depiction on a screen. I’m not however the first to think this; many prominent figures such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet strongly believe reading makes you a…

Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper was first released in Australia on January 22, 2015. It is the film version of Chris Kyle’s personal memoir of the same name, written by Jason Hall. The film is set between Texas and Iraq and follows Chris Kyle on his ten year journey as a sniper for the seals. Played by Bradley Cooper, Chris finds the love of his life Taya played by Sienna Miller, but feels his need to serve his country is stronger than his need to be with his family. Throughout his journey he…

Title rough copy Although their situations are very different Ishmael in the novel A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and Chris from the film The Pursuit Of Happyness directed by Gabriele Muccino both exhibit similarities in their journey to success. To begin both characters Chris and Ishmael both lose their homes in their journey. Ishmael is forced to leave his home because of the war that has broke out, he is accepting to go back to his home and see his family once the war is over; As I was…

wasn 't first in the world, although it almost reached all the continents. In the article "In a Post-Colonial Insight to Chinua Achebe 's African Trilogy ", by Anand Menon, states that Europe was under the assumption that colonization was the only way that countries like Africa or Asia, could make progress (p.13). This discourse will be about Postcolonialism definition and three key characteristic that develops in Postcolonialism. It raises many questions: When is Postcolonialism? Who effects…