On the route of Canadian journalist kidnapping stories, I had just finished A House In the Sky and The Price of Life, one or both had mentioned Melissa Fung's story. Great story and captivating writing, Melissa even mentions Amanda Lindhout in the story. Although much shorter than Lindhout's book, I think I enjoyed this so much because I related so much to her stories of the GTA. Overall great read.

As one reviewer also mentioned, I too read "A House in the Sky", Amanda Lindhout's account of captivity at the hands of Somali kidnappers and it was hard not to make comparisons. I found myself however, really captivated by the differences in Amanda Lindhout's and Mellissa Fung's experiences.

For one, I kept thinking to myself "thank goodness" Mellissa was treated well in comparison. And Mellissa's story was really quite different because she was able to develop a bond with one of her captors which speaks to her ability to look past what she experienced and connect with the humanity in her captor.

I didn't find this memoir as engaging as other memoirs I have read but that certainly doesn't discount the experiences, the effort and the raw, natural story-telling that Mellissa offers in her memoir.

I find these types of stories always incredibly engrossing as I wonder, what if that were ME? How would I handle that type of issue?

Mellissa is truly an extraordinary woman!

This book was not the easiest book to read, there were a lot of sections that almost dragged, but considering the topic, it was understandable. The experience that Ms. Fung writes about had many moments of monotony. Sometimes the details she writes about seem so small and unimportant, but again, this was her experience, it seems like she focused on these minute details so she would have something to think about besides what was taking place.

Overall, the book manages to expose the reader to both the ugliness and the kindness that is inherent in humanity.

Before her kidnapping and captivity in Afghanistan, Mellissa Fung had an active life, with her career in journalism advancing nicely. She was in a relatively new relationship and looking forward to upcoming changes in both her work and personal life.
Her kidnapping memoir shows this and how knowing her support system of family and friends was out there got her through her ordeal. She tries to create relationships with her kidnappers, asking about them and their families and their life goals. She writes letters to friends and family in her notebook, hoping that someday she will be able to give them in person. She prays and finds her rosary a comfort.
Her portrayal of the young men who kidnap her and the world she finds herself in is written in the present tense and comes across as raw and real. I know from media coverage that she found writing this book difficult, but something she needed to do. It gives us a window into her experience and into life in this difficult country. Well worth the read.
Shortlisted for the 2012 OLA Evergreen Award

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