Customer Reviews

Held at a Distance: A Rediscovery of Ethiopia

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a gripping story and very well written. The author tells of her family's escape from Ethiopia when she was 11 years old. However, the story is from her perspective as an adult returning to Ethiopia for the first time more than 25 years later. The story itself is riveting and the author weaves in Ethiopian history as well as its culture and landscape. It is wonderfully written, easy to read, and a must purchase book for the summer.

Ms. Haile's book was more than just an enjoyable and interesting read; it was an all-too-rare voyage into an unfamiliar culture from the viewpoint of someone who is rooted in both that culture and our own. Seeing this "mysterious" world through the eyes of a well-educated American who grew up in Ethiopia we can understand the differences in a way that someone who isn't a part of both worlds cannot. Reading the book was a fun experience and I found myself happy to devour it.

Before a trip to Ethiopia, I read this book. It gave a good overview of Ethiopian history, some geography, sights, personalities, culture, modern concerns.

As one of the first books to be published by an Ethiopian American, HELD AT A DISTANCE is significant. Categorizing this book is nearly impossible--which is a strength and should make it widely appealing. It is a seamless mixture of memoir, travelogue, history, political science, and sociology...and also, just a nice piece of personal writing. It provides both a personal perspective on and a broader introduction to contemporary Ethiopia and the growing and vibrant Ethiopian community in the US. The style is accessible and absorbing, written with a focus on individuals, moments, and places, with a flow of information and analysis (with neither apparent biases nor neat resolutions)--and some tasty language. Grounded in her memoir/travelogue are insights on specifics of Ethiopian culture, history, and politics; yet it's easy for anyone who likes reflections on/stories about family, identity, immigration, and memory to relate to and appreciate. When you finish this book, you will want to learn more about Ethiopia and hear the stories of other Ethiopians in the diaspora. Based on my students' responses after reading HELD AT A DISTANCE, I can say that this book will inspire others.

Ms Haile honesty in the overall social, political, religious and economical realities of Ethiopia is refreshing. Its interesting to walk with her through the significant changes that Ethiopia and Ethiopians have undergone in less than 35 years. She allows one to see that being an Ethiopian is not set in stone with a clear definition, and that one has to be able to embrace the changes that they have undergone. For all those that have wondered about what people went through during the 1974 revolution in Ethiopia, its a good read.

SM
6-07

Rebecca's book was so informative when reading through the lens of Ethiopian adoption. It is a window into the mind of a woman who is Ethiopian and American as she works through her thoughts and relationship with Ethiopia, its politics, people and land - something our family will be doing for the rest of our lives. All the history and culture was a bonus! I loved the book.

HELD AT A DISTANCE: MY REDISCOVERY OF ETHIOPIA
I empathized with Ms. Hailu's narrative because of the fact that I was also born in Ethiopia of Greek decent parents. I am of her father's generation and had the opportunity to have connected with several of the young men and women that in those days made the giant leap into the new world. We all shared the time's uncertainty and wondered what our fates would be when our Emperor would pass away. I remember another Hailu telling me "We do not know what awaits us, how could I imagine what your destiny wouyld be ? ". Several of my school budies fell victims of the Mangistu regime attrocities. The rest are probably in the diaspora.
NGA

This book is very informative about a rather amazing country that little is written about. I had the good fortune of having a mother and two beautiful daughters from Ethiopia live with me here in Gainesville, Georgia, for three years. The mother has her own home now not far away, but I still miss having them here in the house with me. I was able to visit one daughter after she returned to Addis Ababa to be married and also visited Lalibela where I was enchanted by the ancient underground churches. I have wanted to go back and do additional exploring, and this book made me feel like I was visiting again. I just wish it had been longer and more detailed.

Simply stated, this is the best nonfiction that I have ever read, probably because I relate to her story on so many levels. Rebecca Haile tells the story of the thousands of Ethiopian children removed from their home at an early age and implanted in another society dramatically different from their own. It is written in the storytelling style of her heritage. It captures the nuances of family connection - Ethiopian style, the deep sense of pride that Ethiopians have in their history, our silent conversations, and our sense of recognition and familiarity even after we have been away for so long. It is an intriguing book, particularly as it relates to one's identity at any given moment. This is a book that needed to be written because it speaks to and for so many of us. Thank you Rebecca!

I have been thinking about the stories that need to be told, for the whole world to know, and how it should be done. Haile is one of the first to come (the first, for me) out and write this book. It is a well written out book that moved me from the first page to the last. The story is my story as much as hers. The story she told is the story of millions in diaspora not only from Ethiopia but from all over that world who have been displaced not by choice. Haile has successfully written the book by telling it like it is from the feeling of hoplessness to the opportunity that now and the future has to offer. I would hope that readers who have been touched by this book encourage themselves to go down deep inside themselves to bring out the untold stories to the world that now Haile has shown us the way. I hope this book will reach out many to open a dialogue about the future of their homes they left behind. And finally, this is a great book out of which other mediums will follow the lead.