Left to Tell

Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

By: Immaculee Ilibagiza, Steve Erwin

Narrated by: Lisa Renee Pitts

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1994, Immaculee Ilibagiza's world was ripped apart when her native country of Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Her family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans.

Miraculously, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee forged a profound and lasting relationship with God.

The triumphant story of this remarkable woman's journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss.

©2006 Immaculee Ilibagiza and Steve Erwin (P)2006 Hay House

Critic reviews

"Ilibagiza's remarkable path to forgiving the perpetrators and releasing her anger is a beacon to others who have suffered injustice....This book is a precious addition to the literature that tries to make sense of humankind's seemingly bottomless depravity." (Publishers Weekly)

What a triumphant spirit

This book was flawless and although what the author experienced was a million times worse - I still felt like I was right there with her on that bathroom floor. At times I felt I couldn't go on listening and sometimes did stop the recording but I knew I had to finish - if she could experience it and come out on the other side stronger, wiser and closer to God - then I could simply listen. This story of courage has forever changed me and the way I view the world.

Compellling, Inspirational and Fascinating

I resisted reading this book, thinking that any story about the genocide in Rawanda would be too depressing for me to cope with. I was wrong. This story is written and narrated so well, that I listened to the book in one day. Gory details are not what the author focuses on. It is her story of the power of forgiveness and faith. I was so deeply touched by this story that I had to review my own view on faith. I highly recommend this story.

Excellent!

Very well written, very well read.
I could feel every bit that was described. The most inspiring book I have listened to.

Captivating! Enthralling! Uplifting!

Immacul?e Ilibagiza's "Left to Tell" is required reading for any of us suffering from bitterness, self-pity, PTSD or any other wallowing disorder. The book moves quickly feeding one with food for thought. The first person, non-fiction narrative makes me wonder how much immunity I have to the infection that inspired the killing spree in Rwanda. It makes me ponder as to whether I would have the strength and virtue of Pastor Murinzi the "local pastor" who harbored Immacul?e Ilibagiza.

A great read for anyone desirous of breaking stereotypes. Immacul?e's story lacks the taint of bitterness that most of us would be incapable of eliminating in the recounting of such a horrific tale.

Anyone who thinks such things couldn't happen in "their" town needs to fall on their knees and pray that it doesn't.

Good Book, bad over look

They book itself was great. But the thing I can’t understand is where the rest of the book? It only gave me chapters 1 - 4?!? Where is the rest?!?

Left to Tell Review

I haven’t even finished the first chapter and I’ve noticed that there are parts missing. For example, on page 6, it goes from “made me feel warm and happy,” to “while my parents weren’t ardent Catholics” (page7). It’s just more work than I expected to do when I paid for this, trying to find where the gap starts again.

Amazing!

This book was so deeply moving. To hear the horrific events of the authors life and yet how she found God and forgiveness in it all is amazing. If you want to have your perception shifted this is the book for you. I listened to this book in 2 days. I couldn’t wait to get back to every chance I got! Highly recommend!

Well Worth Your Time

"Inspring" in no way does this book justice, but it is inspiring. It is also horrifically tragic--but lest that scare the timid-hearted off--rest assured that the horror and tragedy are presented in extremely non-graphic and bitter-LESS form. Much more could be said, but I'll quit at that.

Who could not be touched by this story

This was a hard story to listen to, but so worth it! I really loved how the narrator made feel as she read the authors words I really felt inspired after listening to this book.

All I can say is BUT GOD!

What a POWERFUL display of God’s love, forgiveness and redemption. The Author was such an excellent storyteller. She drew me in from start to finish as though I walked through this journey with her. Though I could NEVER imagine the atrocity she experienced my heart pained when hers pained in the story and rejoiced when hers rejoiced. May God continue to bless her and her work.

Powerful

A message of hope for humanity. Forgiveness is the key, love is the answer. Always.

I'm lost for words

This is perhaps the most gripping and frightening book of my life. I haven't stopped listening to it and I'm already half way through. Immaculee, thank you so much for this book and I'm so so saddened to live the experience with you in some small way through your incredible autobiography

A Challenging Read

I liked the performance - it’s a bit like those radio 4 dramas - not for everyone but I enjoyed it.

I wanted to understand how to forgive write unforgivable and this book really opened my eyes. It is not easy but I see it is totally possible and a worthy, if not essential pursuit.

Heart touching ♥️

I could not stop listening this book till the end. After finishing the epilogue, I cried.I don’t why?

Shame

I thought it would be a good account of the tragedy that was Rwanda
Too much religion!

Powerful Book

This book left me in tears… praise God for His faithfulness, love and mercy! Amen

WOW!

Simply one of the best (and tragic) audiobooks I have listened to.
Makes you realise how lucky most of us are .
She is one of the most incredible human beings out there.

Also bought my mum the paperback

Annoyingly religious

I am very happy that god saved the main character. However, a simple implication of that is that the same god brutally murdered houndreds of thousands of others. He must be really busy involving himself into llistening thoughts and prayers of all of us and even supervising the main character English lessons. Also, I found the narrater very much over the top and annoying.

wonderful and brave story

An amazing story, enjoyed every second of the book, and not recommended for the faint hearted.

Shockingly good!

I was slightly apprehensive with regards the religious element after I'd read other reviews but I wanted to give it a go as I felt my knowledge of the genocide was very limited, which I felt embarrassed about. This is excellent book and very hard hitting, and one that should not be overlooked - a must read in my opinion.