recommended by wendy L

Once I began the story I could not place the book down. Yes, it is a tough read and bittersweet but so is life. It was refreshing not to have yet another "immigrant tale" and "American dream" narrative. Instead the author takes you on a personal journey of growth, courage and perseverance. She shows you several women learning to survive against the improbable odds of civil war and social unrest. In the end the family remains intact and growing.

In all sincerity, I read through one third of this book and was completely underwhelmed. No tension, no conflict, no nothing on which to go on. The author seems to just ramble on and on about her rich, privileged life.

Hang in there, however, as this memoir turns out to be insightful and inspiring. Now I want to learn everything about the history of Liberia.

You will learn about the tragedy of a war-torn Liberia in Helene Cooper's moving memoir. When rebellion broke out in 1980, her "Congo" (direct descendants of freed American slaves) upper-middle-class family was forced to flee Liberia, leaving Eunice, her adopted Liberian sister, behind. Highly recommended.

This poignant memoir is essentially in two parts. The first part deals with the author Helene Cooper's privileged childhood in Liberia and the second part her ascension as a journalist in the U.S.
In the first part we hear of Helene's life at sugar beach - her home which has 22 rooms and is a mansion by the sea. Her family also has flashy cars and are tended to by servants. She even has a foster sister to be her companion. Unfortunately this blissful childhood came to an abrupt end when ca coup overthrew the ruling party and Helene and her family had to flea Liberia.
The second part deals with Helene's angst in her U.S schools and then her meteoric rise in the world of journalism which culminates in her return to Liberia as a U.S citizen. She confronts the dangers of civil war torn Liberia and sets foot at her home, Sugar Beach. She can now cherish the memory of her childhood, "A beautiful dancer disrobing as we bounced along the road away from civilization."
I enjoyed the book and it gave me a good idea of Liberian History.

"In The House at Sugar Beach, diplomatic and political correspondent Helene Cooper evokes the soul of Liberia and details its terrible devastation led by rebel leader Samuel K. Doe. When Doe accomplished a coup against Liberia's elite leadership, "American Liberian" families like Cooper's suffered injury, rape, and death. The Coopers fled to the U.S., leaving behind a foster child, Eunice, and establishing a new life for themselves. Journalist Cooper avoided reporting on Liberia -- until she realized she had to return there to revisit her childhood home and try to find Eunice. "Elegant and eloquent," says Kirkus Reviews." History and Current Events June 2014 newsletter http://www.libraryaware.com/996/NewsletterIssues/ViewIssue/5872ef26-ee78-4673-9f21-9a0d3e6eea9a?postId=9d26883e-ee1c-4205-805b-7768108ed9ea

Cooper is an adept story-teller, and her prose kept me riveted and curious. I lived not far from Sugar Beach in Monrovia and loved the colloquial Liberian English and reminders of landmarks. A great story with important lessons. I highly recommend this easy read.

EXCELLENT READ! I'm not much on autobiographies but this is so engaging!!! Definitely recommend it.