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Cover of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Biography & Memoir· Sierra Leone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

by Ishmael Beah
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2007English
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About This Book

When Ishmael Beah published A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier in 2007, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of biography & memoir. Ishmael Beah's memoir recounts his harrowing experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War. The book offers a raw and powerful narrative of survival, loss, and redemption. Beah's story sheds light on the brutal realities of war and the resilience of the human spirit, making it an essential read for understanding the impact of conflict on children. Themes of childhood in war, survival, redemption run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorIshmael Beah
Published2007
Country of Origin🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
LanguageEnglish
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780374531263
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇸🇱 Sierra Leone

This book is part of Sierra Leone's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Sierra Leone →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2007, Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is a work of biography & memoir that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with childhood in war, survival, redemption, loss gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is how it handles its central concerns — childhood in war, survival, redemption, loss — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within Sierra Leone's literary landscape, Ishmael Beah occupies a significant position. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20070
✍️
About the Author
Ishmael Beah
Sierra Leone
View Author →

Ishmael Beah is a Sierra Leone author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier about?

Ishmael Beah's memoir recounts his harrowing experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War. The book offers a raw and powerful narrative of survival, loss, and redemption. Beah's story sheds light on the brutal realities of war and the resilience of the human spirit, making it an essential read for understanding the impact of conflict on children.

Who wrote A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier was written by Ishmael Beah, from Sierra Leone. First published in 2007.

What awards has A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier won?

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier worth reading?

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in childhood in war, survival, redemption.

Where can I buy A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?

You can buy A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier from?

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier originates from Sierra Leone's literary tradition. Explore more books from Sierra Leone on our country page.

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