The Girl Who Smiled Beads

Macclesfield Library Reading Group would like to thank The Reading Agency and Penguin Random House for providing copies of The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya. This was honestly one of the most interesting discussions we have had about any book so far.
“An eye opening read with lots to think about both positive and negative but also lots to learn. For me Clare was the real hero in this story.”
“A most remarkable and necessary book.”
“One of the best group discussions as yet! The implications of the book are so far reaching.”
“Heart breaking. It left me saddened beyond belief at how Clemantine’s anger that does not seem to subside. Her sister Clare- for me is a much more balanced and admirable character.”
“A real sense of history- we learn a lot about Rwanda, conflict and refugees. Clemantine struggles to cope with her past and her ever present anger. A great, emotional book and a gripping read.”
“A very powerful and emotional book which follows Clemantine from the horrors of Rwanda and her journey through seven African countries before being able to seek refuge in the USA where she must deal with the aftermath. A must read.”

The Girl who smiled Beads
Clementine Wamariya
****

Clemantine grew up in Rwanda. At the age of six the world around her started to implode as the Rwandan massacre took hold. In 1994, too young to really understand what was going on, she and her 15 year old sister were told to “run”. And run they certainly did. In fact they ran for their lives and were still running six years later by which time they had traversed seven African countries, suffered life in numerous refugee camps and experienced things to which no children should ever be subjected. They were survivors but this came at a price. Their fight for survival and the inevitable psychological harm that ensued are recounted in this book by Clementina, now an adult living in the U.S. The book jumps between two timeframes, alternately recounting the story of the girls’ attempts to stay alive and find safety during their six-years in Africa and Clementina’s current state of mind as she struggles to settle in America.

There is no doubt that this book is distressing. However, it is also very informative and I learnt an awful lot. My awareness of current affairs is shamefully lacking and, prior to reading this memoir, my knowledge of the events described in this book came from seeing the film Hotel Rwanda and watching a TV documentary about the problems which the fighting was causing the Rwandan Mountain Gorillas. Whilst both of these were harrowing, this book gave a different perspective altogether, adding so much more personal detail about what it was really like to live through these terrible times. I still cannot really envisage what it must have been like but I am absolutely sure that I would not have coped.

There are a couple of things I did not feel comfortable with. I found that the two timeframes added a disjointed, and somewhat confusing, element which was not entirely necessary. It is not one of my favourite writing styles anyway, but in this instance I felt it detracted from, rather than added to the continuity and impact of the book. Secondly, this book was heading firmly for a 5* rating when I started reading it. Unfortunately I felt it deteriorated as it neared the end, when it became clear that Clementina, even at the time of writing, is one very confused lady who still doesn’t feel comfortable in her own skin. I felt the book lost some clarity in the closing chapters as it focused more on her current state of mind. Whilst it is fully understandable that such a traumatic childhood will take its toll on the individual as they grow into adulthood, I wonder whether the book was written as a cathartic measure, venting an anger at “persons unknown” in an attempt to expunge some of the feelings that remain. As a reader, I think it may have had slightly more impact if the author had resolved some of these issues prior to writing the book.

This is a book that is well worth reading. There are probably very few first-hand accounts of the Genocide in Rwanda that are as accessible to the general public as this one. Don’t expect an easy ride, but it is worth the effort.

Clementine Wamariya tells her story about how in 1994 she and her sister, Claire, escape the massacre in Rwanda. For the next seven years they move through Africa looking for somewhere to live safely. Clementine is six year old and Claire is 15. The story describes their challenges to survive in a series of hostile locations. Eventually they find a home in the USA.

Clementine's writing is truthful, often raw and leaves the reader shocked at times by her survival instincts. In particular her sister Claire's entrepreneurial spirit sees them somehow manage their way in the most difficult of circumstances.

The book is well written and carries the reader along the journey. A fascinating memoir.