Two-time National Book Award nominee Melissa Fay Greene puts a human face on the African AIDS crisis with this powerful story of one woman working to save her country’s children. After losing her husband and daughter, Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian woman of modest means, opened her home to some of the thousands of children in Addis Ababa who have been left as orphans. There Is No Me Without You is the story of how Haregewoin transformed her home into an orphanage and day-care center and began facilitating adoptions to homes all over the world, written by a star of literary nonfiction who is herself an adoptive parent. At heart, it is a book about children and parents, wherever they may be, however they may find each other. Winner of Elle magazine’s 2006 readers’ award in nonfiction.
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| Best book I've read this year |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This book, about AIDS orphans in Africa and one particular woman in Ethiopia who has been taking care of them, was hands-down the best book I've read this year.
There are a lot of numbers and facts in the first few chapters book, but I think they provide some necessary background and valuable perspective on AIDS and make the book that much more powerful.
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| Brings It All Home |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The exquisite storytelling gift of Melissa Fay Greene brings home to those of us unscathed by severe poverty and a raging, unchecked AIDS epidemic how cruel is the fate of children quite literally left to fend for themselves. Greene's tale of a heart-centered woman, moved by her own tragedy to offer the sweet balm of instinctual caring to so many young souls (and despised by many for doing so), is wrenching, galling, entertaining, and -- ultimately -- inspiring. We are charmed by Ethiopia's children, root for them at every step of their spirited journeys, cry for them when all good efforts fail. Bravo to Greene for putting her fine talent to such generous use -- this story has needed to be told...and read!
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| Fabulously written; great book! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The author does a great job of mixing the story with the social, political, and economic aspects that all combine to create this heartwrenching outcome. I highly recommend this book! Keep the tissue box nearby.
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| I give very few books 5 stars |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I could not stop reading this book but explaining why is the hard part.
Certainly one cannot enjoy a story that describes the daily horror that filled the lives of the Ethiopians especially the innocent children!
How can one stomach to read about the ignorance and apathy of the rest of the world? I don't know but I did.
The writing is compelling. You are transported by the prose.
This book does not wallow looking for pity rather it uplifts and gives hope. Hard to explain .. you must read it.
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| Eye opening... heartbreaking and heart warming. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This book is an amazing look at what one individual can do to make a difference when the rest of the world isn't doing a whole lot. The history of the AIDS epidemic is enlightening. The story of this woman is amazing and the history of US drug companies failure to help and the government failure to step in initially is heartbreaking. The book is well written, wonderfully told and a captivating read.
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