At first I gave the book a lower star rating, but overall, after our book club, I realize that the story really isn't at a point of anything beyond depression. It also moved very very slowly. I felt like I was reading in mud.
First, I wasn't that well versed about the genocide of Rwanda. I remember it happening and my roommate very much talking about it, but as far as what made it begin I was clueless. I give the book points for piquing my interest in the horrific event. And that helped some.
What I had issues with was the flatness of the characters. I also wasn't sure what the point was in making the story center around a woman who just had a miscarriage go to Rwanda, looking for her father by hanging around with her father's girlfriend/wife. It was a litany of sadness over and over. And I have to admit, there could have been a couple of bright points in the book, but this was above depressing. So, I was flummoxed about the book. I was ok learning about the atrocities of real life, but wasn't so keen on the make believe characters. Does that make me a bad person? I mean, shouldn't it be the other way around with this subject? Oh well, now you know me.