Enjoyed it very much. Didn't really know much about the founding of Liberia. Elijah Johnson, 1787, and Randolph Cooper, 1796 were Helene's direct line ancestors. It's a coming of age story. Helene, a privileged member of the Liberian elite, enjoys private school, luxurious home on the beach, and the companionship of a foster sister, Eunice, who is brought to the family to keep her company. Helene has a carefree existence with Saturdays at the movies, crushes on boys from class, chauffered rides, and a summer home in Spain. Her greatest fear is of her parents getting divorced which does come to pass. Helene's world shatters at the age of 14 with the coup by Doe during which Tolbert is overthrown and her uncle is executed. Perhaps the most dramatic scene is the description of Mommee's heroic stand against those who come to the home to rape and pillage.
The second part of the memoir traces Helene's life in the USA in Knoxville, the Carolinas and later in Rhode Island. She becomes a journalist and travels the world. While embedded with American troops in Iraq, Helene is injured, and at this point realizes her need to return to the country of her birth which has been overrun by the brutality of Charles Taylor.
Her return to reunite with her foster sister, Eunice, is heartwarming. Portraits of both Mommee and Daddy are vivid. Overall, a well done memoir.
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