Book: Running the Rift
Author: Naomi Benaron
My Rating: 5 out of 5
2012 Challenges: What’s in a Name; Outdo Yourself; New Author; Winter’s Respite Read-a-Thon
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Imagine that a man who was once friendly suddenly spewed hatred. That a girl who flirted with you in the lunchroom refused to look at you. That neighbors who shared meals with your family could turn on them and hunt them down. Jean Patrick Nkuba is a gifted Tutsi boy who dreams of becoming Rwanda’s first Olympic medal contender in track. When the killing begins, he is forced to flee, leaving behind the woman, the family, and the country he loves. Finding them again is the race of his life.
Spanning ten years during which a small nation was undone by ethnic tension and Africa’s worst genocide in modern times, this novel explores the causes and effects of Rwanda’s great tragedy from Nkuba’s point of view. His struggles teach us that the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit can keep us going and ultimately lead to triumph.
My Review (free o’ spoilers):
This book took me back to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - my first foray into African literature. Benaron really captures the landscape of Rwanda. As a reader, you can see how the turbulent, violent political upheaval contrasts with the beautiful, majestic countryside. Jean Patrick is a wonderful protagonist, and Benaron allows us to see Rwanda through his eyes, shifting from an apolitical Olympic hopeful. Benaron’s writing is both beautiful and compelling, and she conveys a wealth of perspectives. It’s no wonder the novel won the Bellwether Prize for Fiction.
The Bottom Line:
A deep, engaging read with a lingering presence.
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