I
am not given to writing book reviews in my blog, but every once in a while
there is a book that is significant enough to warrant an exception. That is the
case with As We Forgive[1]
by Catherine Claire Larson. The book is an expansion of the documentary film of
the same name by Laura Waters Hinson. The first few people highlighted in the
book are the central characters of the film. Both of these medium focus on
forgiveness in post-genocide Rwanda. Both are done from a solidly Christian perspective,
with the underlying premise that true, lasting forgiveness can only happen in
the context of Christ’s love and grace. A friend in Australia recommended the
book to me after she read it and my friend Ebrailee, who is a genocide survivor
herself, uses the book and the movie as elements of orientation to Rwanda for
groups she brings here from the States.
The
book functions on a number of different levels. First it is a gripping insight
into the personal face of genocide, from those who lived it. Such personal
stories are not frequently offered, so this is a rare look at these gruesome
events. On a second level is a glimpse of the work being done by individuals
and groups in reconstruction and reconciliation in Rwanda. There are many
organizations doing such work and this book highlights a few of them and the restorative
ministries they provide, some local and some from the international community. But the book does so much more than just tell
the stories of forgiveness and reconciliation. It does that powerfully in seven
different true life settings, telling each story in three chapters apiece. However,
at the end of each of these three-chapter-stories, Larson provides what she
calls an interlude, which is a chapter of reflections on the dynamics of
forgiveness born out in the story just presented. This is followed by questions
that invite the reader to reflect on his or her own journey in forgiveness, in
the context of the story just told. One of Ebrailee’s travelers shared with me
that this was personally the most meaningful part of the book for her as she
dealt with a situation in her own life that needed forgiveness. I have found
the same thing to be true as I have reflected on the events surrounding my
leaving Malawi in the light of these reflections and questions. That is not to
diminish the impact and import of the stories and the work going on here. It
seems to be an expansion of that, to me. It is this reflective section that
sets this book apart from other accounts of genocide and post genocide life.
I
don’t recommend this book for the faint of heart. The stories are tactfully
told, but the very content is brutal, none the less. I am a veracious reader,
but it took me some time to read through all the stories. I took a few breaks from the
book, to process what I had read and to absorb the import of the stories. All
the same, I strongly recommend it, if you are at all interested in Rwanda or in
forgiveness.
One
further observation I would offer. Not everyone in Rwanda is yet at the point
of forgiveness that is portrayed in the book. This is a process and each
individual is on his or her own journey. This morning in my English conversation
class we had a discussion about some cultural traditions that are no longer
practiced because there is still a great degree of post-genocide distrust among people.(more of
that at another time.) This is just to say that forgiveness is a process that
is personal and takes time. That is born out in the title – As We Forgive. It is progressive.
[1]
As we Forgive, Catherine Claire
Larson, Zondervan, 2009
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