Title: Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the War
Author: Deb Olin Unferth
Genre: Memoir
About: (from the book flap) … a new twist on the coming-of-age memoir in this utterly unique and captivating story of the year she ran away from college with her Christian boyfriend and followed him to Nicaragua to join the Sandinistas.
My thoughts: I finished reading this memoir and thought there is no way I would have liked a guy so much I’d have dropped out of college, become an activist and move with him to another country to fight the good fight. If nothing else, I admire her tenacity and her willingness to be a good sport.
Our main ambition was to help the revolution. George and I wanted jobs, what we called “revolution jobs,” but it turned out that few people wanted to hire us and if they did, they almost immediately fired us. (p.10)
Deb and George moved from country to country following revolutions, wanting to be a part of the action. The conditions were deplorable and they fought illness often. Personal safety was always a concern but they seemed to thrive on the danger – that or their naiveté blinded them. At one point I found myself wondering why Deb didn’t go home when she was so sick.
The two went from being a couple of kids with a dream to a pair showing signs of discontent. Deb’s journal entries showed her observations of the collapse of their relationship.
He began to develop a caught-bird look, an intensely lonely air, which would stay with him, would become his trademark look for the rest of the time I knew him. (p. 144)
Deb Olin Unferth’s memoir seems heartfelt and although I could relate to very little, it’s a pretty amazing story.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommend? Yes, it’s an unusual memoir.
Source: Henry Holt
Bookfan 
Ooh it wouldn’t have been my choice either. I am not that brave! You have got to admire her guts!
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Wow, this sounds like a really interesting read. Thanks for the review!
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I’m anxious to read this since I love memoirs. I’m not sure I’ll get a lot of the author’s motivations either, but I still think it’ll be a fascinating read.
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Definitely fascinating. I am a stay at home kind of gal, which is why I love to read books like this 🙂
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I don’t know, I may have, followed him anywhere, given the right guy. Thanks for your review.
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I’ve really been enjoying memoirs lately. I wonder about people who are willing to give up everything. Adding this to my list.
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Sounds good, and yes that sure have to be love. I could never do it, I would just make him stay here
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I thought it would be unusual just by the title itself. Sounds interesting and one to consider.
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Hmm, not too sure I’d understand why any one would give up so much either. Not a read for me I’m afraid.
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I think I’d also be wary of leaving studies for any man.. even if it was for a cause. I love the new set up for your reviews- the quotes work and your thoughts make it jazzier. Keep it up Mary, I really like this set up.
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Thanks, PK. I saw this style over at Lynne’s Book Reviews and she generously gave me the go ahead to use it! I like to keep my reviews on the brief side and this style works.
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Bonjour Mary!
I can send you a copy of Arranged if you like. Just send me an email with your snail mail and I’ll have it shipped out to you. I really liked it for it appealing romance touch. Shoot me an email and consider it yours 🙂
A bientot Mary 🙂
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This is so far from my life that I can’t even imagine living that way! And I imagine that you would have to really really really love someone to follow them to do something like this.
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All of these look like excellent books! Enjoy!
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