The House at Sugar Beach: A Memoir

Helene Cooper has basically written an autobiography set in Liberia. Her voice, especially when she uses Liberian English, is wonderful. This book covers history of Liberia, which is little known to most Americans. She is a journalist and perhaps that is why the words flow so smoothly. I highly recommend this as a book more enjoyable to listen to than to read just to fall under the spell of her cadence.

This is a fascinating, sharply-written memoir of a privileged childhood in Liberia, interrupted by a coup and the upheaval of immigration. Cooper's depiction of her childhood is a skillful blend of warm remembrance underscored with a growing sense of trouble and fear, lit with flashes of humour. She makes you care -- about her individual family members, about her struggle to adapt to her new life in the United States, and especially, about the history of Liberia. Oh -- and Cooper's narration is fantastic! I didn't want to miss a single word.

i loved this book. i read the first fifty pages because my girlfriend has it and then bought it on audible to listen to the rest and i'm so glad i did. the narration by the author makes the liberian english come alive. reading "i hold your foot" and hearing how she says it are like two different phrases, one seeming strange and one sounding perfect. also knowing that the voice you are hearing narrate is the same person who experienced the events is moving in a way reading the book cannot be. that said, the narration would be less relevant if the writing writing wasn't really, really good.

I'm thankful Helene and members of her family are here to share their story. I am thankful that Eunice lives, with love surrounding her. I'm thankful Helene truly is an American story come in a strangely wonderful circle of hope escaping or triumphing through pain. I'm thankful to discover Liberia, our corporate homeland. Thank you, Helene for sharing your memoir with us.

This well may be the best book I've listened to in many years. Having the author narrate this book is definitely a bonus because she speaks in the native language throughout the book and it really adds to the experience. Wonderful story.

The story plugs you into the life of a teen in Liberia and her family struggles.

I liked it all because it was her story.

I was interested in hearing more but it took a few sittings

I want to know how her life continues. She feels like a friend

This is a terrific book, and the author does a wonderful job reading it. I was so sorry when it ended, but am happy to know I can read the author's columns in the NYT and see her, occasionally on the News Hour.

This was my first audible book and I enjoyed listening to the story. I thought the first half of the book was great and it slowed in the second half. Overall, I would recommend the book for its historical value. Audible books are great and audible.com is the place to get them.

I think I was suppose to feel sorry for the family, but I found myself feeling neutral.

This was my first audible book and Helene was very good. She brought life to the book with her accent.

The greatness of American everywhere

This was a great book, well written. Very interesting history of Liberia.

What makes The House at Sugar Beach such a worthwhile and meaningful book, is its many layers. It is a memoir, a history of Liberia and its realationsnip to America, a coming of age story, a story of family, separation, loss, and just like in fiction, triumph. Listening to Helene Cooper's narration of her book, brings it to life as she seemlessly floats between "regular" English and Liberian English. This book is a gem!