This memoir by Mondiant Dogon tells the story of his childhood growing up in Congo. Being an ethnic minority in a war torn country comes with the kinds of violence and brutality no one would wish upon a child as young as 5 years old, but as a result of his experiences, Dogon was able to tell a beautiful and painful story. Leaving Congo was not easy and the challenges he faced in Rwanda were also a significant part of this story. I believe that his goal in writing this story was to teach and bring public awareness about the atrocities faced in our not so distant history so that we can understand the perspective of refugees and the context they are fleeing from and better support newcomers in our land. Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds does that and so much more. Definitely a worthwhile and important read. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Really great, inspiring memoir. Reminiscent of The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clementine Wamariya. I think it could use a bit more editing and fine-tuning, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book.

Dogon’s story begins in his early childhood in his family’s village in Congo. As part of an ethnic minority, their lives are very much in danger, and they must flee the country. At only five years old, the incredible brutality he witnessed is just unfathomable; it is ravaging to even read. The atrocities continue even after the family has made it across the border into Rwanda and are in refugee camps, and Dogon doesn’t allow readers to look away as he presents clear, direct descriptions.

As his life continues through his teen years, readers will continue to feel the incredible plight of not only Dogon and the Tutsi refugees face, but indeed that of many refugees around the globe. He states that awareness is his intent, and Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds certainly achieves the goal.

Thank you to Mondiant Dogon, Penguin Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

biography, refugees, Rwanda, Tutsi, DR of Congo, genocide, UNHCR, refugee-camps, terror, real-horror, nonfiction, cultural-heritage, culture-of-fear, torture, education*****

What was it like to be a Tutsi refugee in Rwanda? It meant losing your cultural past, watching people you knew and loved die of starvation or beheading, being hunted like beasts (even in the refugee camps), and having your childhood stolen from you by violence. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) set up camps and schools and did the best they could under impossible situations. The author makes the point that all refugees from any country suffer from the terrible loss of identity and without any kind of citizenship are unable to get passports and are so very limited in life. This is a terrible wake-up call to the rest of us but is movingly writted and needs to be read by the many.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from PENGUIN GROUP/ The Penguin Press via NetGalley. Thank you.

This ARC was offered in exchange of an honest and impartial review:
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4*
Pros: Soul-crushing realistic portrait of life in the refugee camps around the world, particularly in Rwanda. Talks about the wars and conflicts of Congo, of life under contact threat, full of violence, blood and horrors. Delves deep into the reaches human beings will go just to survive. Important notes on trauma, desensitisation, grief, displacement and overall utter hopelessness.
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Cons: Often repetitive, describing the same information multiple times. Incoherent timeline, often leading to confusion.

Amazon Headline: Strength, Courage and Wisdom

The online dictionary defines a Refugee as a displaced person, umm aren’t we all?
This story opens with a poem which has me on pins and needles this is the first line “do not keep them away they need justice to live at least” at least? How heartbreaking to think any human doesn’t need at least justice.

The book is dedicated to all the refugees who dream of being something other than what you are now.
After reading this book I had the opportunity of being part of the Zoom launch with the author and to hear him share his experiences which was amazing. I learned so much about refugees and refugee camps that I did not know before.

Excellent memoir one that will remain with me longer than the twenty years Mondrian was in the camp. While in the refugee camp he witnessed relatives and friends being murdered unable to stop it from happening. Poor and constantly in danger he never gave up hope. Writing was his anchor and I for one am glad he had that.

It’s a tough read but definitely one which should be read and a brighter light shined on this topic. I received a galley copy in exchange for my thoughtful and honest review.

A poignant and beautiful eye-opening life story of a Congonese refugee.

The intensity of this memoirs is truly mind-blowing. At some point, while reading this book, my mind keeps on blocking the reality of the story. I was reading it as something that is fictional to stop myself from cascading into anxiety. It was surreal to read the firsthand experience of a boy—a BOY! might I remind you—experiencing genocide. It is appalling and I needed to put the book down to breathe as, one by one, this boy’s friends and family dies. Never experiencing proper childhood but the horror of life, Mondiant became so much older for his age. Despite all that, he never lost that light of kindness within him. Considering it ate up most of his childhood life, it was an amazing thing how he never resorted to the violence the life has offered.

It breaks my heart that the reality of our world is extremely cruel. The never ending war, big or small, ruins so many wonderful experiences these kids and families could have had. Mondiant told his story. He showed us his vulnerability in order for us to know his truth. I want to give him a huge hug.

The life of most refugees is inhumane. That becomes clear after reading the emotional, honest, and heartbreaking account of the horrifying life Mondiant and his family lived. A Tutsi, born in Congo, first fled with his family into the nearby forest to hide, which was the beginning of their lives on the run. They eventually relocated to Rwanda to reside in various refugee camps where they suffered continuous violence, poverty, and extreme hunger.

The author realized his only way to a better life was through education, and he worked hard to attend school, eventually enrolling in graduate school in the U.S. Never feeling like they belonged, Mondiant and his family hoped to one day return to Congo, their homeland, but the continuous war made it too dangerous, and the beautiful country they remembered, was destroyed.

Mondiant's accounts of what he and his family went through are difficult to read, almost inconceivable. His story shows that humans can survive almost anything if they believe in themselves and their worth as human beings. An exceptional read.

Read if you: Want an astonishing memoir about life as a (Congolese) refugee.

Important to note: As you can imagine, this is a brutal read at times. The terror, violence, and loss that Mondiant Dogon endured when he was only five years old is immense. However--many books about refugee experiences are rarely written by those that have experienced it first hand. Utterly powerful, devastating, but filled with love for his family and his country (as it was and could be). The horror of Belgian colonization is an important aspect to Congo's history, which is woven throughout the narrative.

Librarians/booksellers: Definitely one of the best books about refugee experiences in some time.

Many thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.