View source for Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder

{{infobox
|title=Strength in What Remains
|author=Tracy Kidder
|reviewer=Melanie Allen
|genre=Biography
|summary=An inspirational read which shows the journey of one man affected by the genocide in Rwanda. As thought-provoking as it is horrifying, it shows the strength of individuals when faced with suffering.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=304
|publisher=Profile Books
|date=March 2010
|isbn=978-1861978578
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>186197857X</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0812977610</amazonus>
}}

'Strength in What Remains' is the inspirational account of Deogratias, a man who has fled from the genocide and civil war in Burundi (just south of the equator in East Central Africa, bordering Rwanda). He escapes to New York, out of fear and want of a safer life; only his new found American life isn't quite what it promised. 

Deo's life changes dramatically, being demoted from successful medical student, to the lowly task of delivering groceries. He is in a country where he doesn't understand the language, is practically starving from lack of money to buy any food, and has to sleep in a park – but even this is better than the inhumanity shown in Burundi.

It's surprising what tiny details Deo picks up on that anyone used to America would simply not notice. He is flummoxed by the language and the how to use the subway, why the poor people could be fat and the rich people skinny, and why people in the Western world try to remember bad things whereas in Burundi they try to forget. It all seems upside down to him. Tracy Kidder is very successful at portraying Deo as the endearing man he seems to be, not only because you empathise with his struggles, but because of his mannerisms, his translations, and the way he continues to wear his ''I Love New York'' hat despite his predicament. There is a real sense of accomplishment when Deo finally gets back on his feet and is able to return to the books and studying at university that he was forced to leave behind. It shows that the kindness offered to him from a couple of people made all the difference.

The book switches between describing Deo's past in Burundi, and his more recent experiences in New York, and this alternating structure works well to some degree. It entwines his African roots very cleverly into the narrative, and makes the reader see that he never forgets where he came from, no matter what language or mannerisms he takes on. Personally, however, I would have liked to have read a little more about Deo's background at the beginning. The book opens with his plane journey out of Burundi, and how he struggles to make sense of ''Ibyura'' (a place far away from Burundi, and one that is hard to imagine – in this case it is alien-like New York). Kidder's alternating chapters keeps it interesting, but at times it may have worked better written chronologically.

However, Kidder makes the book flow much like a story, rather than a work of non-fiction which makes it accessible to readers who are not familiar with the history of Rwanda and the problems between its people. It offers historical knowledge in ways which make you take note and really care about the events that happened – not only because of the inhumanity surrounding the genocide, but because it directly affected Deo and as the book progresses you really empathise with him.

There's nothing to dislike about this book. It doesn't attempt to analyse Deo's state of mind or to over dramatise the suffering of his friends and family. It is personal enough to show the truth and simply tell what happened. And that really is enough. 

It is an inspirational read, and I would recommend it to anyone who's a believer in ordinary people becoming extraordinary.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

For another book where kindness changes a young persons life, try [[The Blind Side by Michael Lewis]].

{{amazontext|amazon=186197857X}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=0812977610}}

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{{comment 
|name=Helen Harding 
|verb= said
|comment= Why don't we see any pictures of Deo?  I think he is a composite!

}}