The Invisible Girls: A Memoir (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Love reading about human connection and the desire to help others. It does give a sense of purpose to our lives. I am also always humbled by the stories of refugees and their will to make a better life for their children. The refugees in this story are Somali females and endure many hardships establishing themselves in their new American home. Because of the kindness of Sarah their path is a little less rocky. I struggled a lot with this memoir. The author's early life in a strict religious environment seemed like such a struggle. It seems so many people in such environments grow up with such strict adherence to the parents' narrow religious doctrines that rebellion seems the only recourse. Luckily, Sarah's parents' attitudes changed as a result of her sister's illness, and her eventual "rebellion" was not extreme or harmful to her or her family, thus, they were able to retain their familial relationships.However, Sarah then had what was probably the biggest struggle of her life with the cancer diagnosis at such a young age. I am sure I have no idea how hard those medical issues were for her, much less the loss of the man she expected to spend the rest of her life with during the process. Only someone incredibly strong could survive all of that. Her encounter and subsequent relationship with the Somali family seemed completely unrealistic to me, but obviously this is not fiction so I know it actually occurred. I have boundless respect for Sarah in what she was able to do, and apparently continues to do, for the family.
What do You think about The Invisible Girls: A Memoir (2013)?
such a good read. reads like a novel with lots of drama. i couldn't put it down.
—kmmbify
Much to chew on, all in a well-written, conversational narrative.
—watanukikimihero
Touching and inspiring! Full of reminders of faith.
—jayjay2000