Sandra B. (SandraB) reviewed I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala on + 185 more book reviews
this is an amazing story
Worth a read - interesting look at Guatemala.
Sara M. (saracm) reviewed I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala on + 18 more book reviews
This is an excellent perspective, fantastic, a little hard to read.
woman's life provides courage to others on the sometimes uneasing path
Jennifer G. (paradisemommy05) reviewed I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala on + 63 more book reviews
A must read for every woman!
This book was interesting for a history buff, I read it for an English class.
This is a good story to get a feel for the plight of native americans and conflicts with the Guatemalan military. Menchu describes atrocities against her people and including the murder of her family and how she found her way into the role of a leader for the rights of her people.
I only gave it three stars because after reading it I found out about the controversy surrounding it. Some say she lied about aspects of her life, and she admitted some things have been changed, but I look at this book from the point of view as someone looking at the wider cultural testimony. She was speaking to tell the story of her people, and many horrible atrocities did occur to her and her people, and in the end it is an informative striking book that makes you realize just how terrible this period in history was for the indigenous people of Guatemala.
I only gave it three stars because after reading it I found out about the controversy surrounding it. Some say she lied about aspects of her life, and she admitted some things have been changed, but I look at this book from the point of view as someone looking at the wider cultural testimony. She was speaking to tell the story of her people, and many horrible atrocities did occur to her and her people, and in the end it is an informative striking book that makes you realize just how terrible this period in history was for the indigenous people of Guatemala.
Don M. (LaDon) -
A remarkable story of a remarkable woman and her people. Well written and fast paced.
A quite early autobiography but no interest in it here so I will take it to the VA Hospital lobby. Her vigorous life's work was "born of wretchedness and bitterness."
I especially liked Chapter XIV A Maid in the Capital; many of the others are too depressing.
No index but there is a glossary and a very short bibliography.
She had an engagement at CalStateLA early in the century and I saw her as very formidable. Unfortunately, the ASB President chose to introduce her with a speech in poor Spanish (not that I could do better, but I could do shorter) and because of the crowd in the Student Union had us all move to another floor. There was still a crowd and we were moved again, so I gave up and went to study. I did see a note left on the 4th floor (ASB offices) in which they were trying to raise the rest of her fee ($10,000 as I recall) so I am glad she was earning a few dollars after so many privations (but maybe only $6,000 or $7,000 from CalStateLA).
I especially liked Chapter XIV A Maid in the Capital; many of the others are too depressing.
No index but there is a glossary and a very short bibliography.
She had an engagement at CalStateLA early in the century and I saw her as very formidable. Unfortunately, the ASB President chose to introduce her with a speech in poor Spanish (not that I could do better, but I could do shorter) and because of the crowd in the Student Union had us all move to another floor. There was still a crowd and we were moved again, so I gave up and went to study. I did see a note left on the 4th floor (ASB offices) in which they were trying to raise the rest of her fee ($10,000 as I recall) so I am glad she was earning a few dollars after so many privations (but maybe only $6,000 or $7,000 from CalStateLA).
