A House in the Sky

A Memoir

By: Amanda Lindhout, Sara Corbett

Narrated by: Amanda Lindhout

Amanda Lindhout reads her spectacularly dramatic memoir of a woman whose curiosity about the world led her from rural Canada to imperiled and dangerous countries on every continent, and then into 15 months of harrowing captivity in Somalia - a story of courage, resilience, and extraordinary grace.

At the age of 18, Amanda Lindhout moved from her hardscrabble Alberta hometown to the big city - Calgary - and worked as a cocktail waitress, saving her tips so she could travel the globe. As a child, she escaped a violent household by paging through National Geographic and imagining herself in its exotic locales. Now she would see those places for real. She backpacked through Latin America, Laos, Bangladesh, and India, and emboldened by each experience, went on to travel solo across Sudan, Syria, and Pakistan. In war-ridden Afghanistan and Iraq she carved out a fledgling career as a TV reporter. In August 2008, she traveled to Mogadishu, Somalia - "the most dangerous place on Earth" - to report on the fighting there. On her fourth day in the country, she and her photojournalist companion were abducted.

An astoundingly intimate and harrowing account of Lindhout's 15 months as a captive, A House in the Sky illuminates the psychology, motivations, and desperate extremism of her young guards and the men in charge of them. She is kept in chains, nearly starved, and subjected to unthinkable abuse. She survives by imagining herself in a "house in the sky", looking down at the woman shackled below, and finding strength and hope in the power of her own mind. Lindhout's decision, upon her release, to counter the violence she endured by founding an organization to help the Somali people rebuild their country through education is a wrenching testament to the capacity of the human spirit and an astonishing portrait of the power of compassion and forgiveness.

©2013 Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Amazing true story!

Would you listen to A House in the Sky again? Why?

I loved listening to Amanda's narration of her book. This is an addictive book, I couldn't stop listening.

Amazing Journey

Where does A House in the Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Amanda has clearly and honestly written about the most difficult time in her life. Her courage and will to survive are inspiring. The performance was sincere, genuine and excellent!

What did you like best about this story?

The thread of hope throughout. The honesty.

What about Amanda Lindhout’s performance did you like?

Clear, genuine, sincere.

Loved!!

Well written and captivating. I Highly recommend. Amanda Lindhout’s story is courageous, thought provoking and heartbreaking.

Brutally Beautiful

It was hard to listen to in spots. Due to the graphic nature of content.

Unbelievable

This book is beautifully written, but the content is heavy and sad. It's a very good education about what happens in other countries that we cannot imagine. A must read.

Very hard to listen to

In a strange way this book brought me peace. It made me look at my life and truly realize what is important. Little things really don’t matter. Really. Enjoy your life as best as you can every day. Appreciate family, pets, nature, activities, school .... anything and everything ! Help others. Be the best you can be!

A whole new level of innermost

I will not put into words my perception and reactions while becoming acquainted with Amanda as she reads along her memoir. I feel that it is best for each reader to allow themselves to hold her hands and let her take you to places physically emotionally and mentally as she does in the book. I am sure each person will feel and receive different messages as she takes you thru pieces and places of her life and of course the days of captivity and it is up to each person to “translate” each passage as how they will perceive and interpreted. One thing for sure, you will know the true meaning of innermost.

Compelling story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I enjoyed the author's willingness to be vulnerable, to describe her thoughts, feelings, and without being so graphic as to make one cringe.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A House in the Sky?

Their dramatic escape from the Escape House and their search of refuge in the mosque. I was gripping the arms of my chair!

Any additional comments?

This book is a compelling look at a young woman's coming of age, triumph over adversity, learning to forgive, and willingness to survive. There are several passages that were difficult to read, but they were not so graphic as to be gratuitous - sometimes the sheer horror of a situation is better felt in the abstract rather than the nitty-gritty details.

Amanda's voice is flat and monotone at times, which surprised me; I have heard her interviews and she tends not to sound as flat in those. This is probably the one part of the book that made me question my purchase. I am glad I toughed it out; well worth the time/credit.

A-MAZ-ING!

If you could sum up A House in the Sky in three words, what would they be?

Can't put down

What other book might you compare A House in the Sky to and why?

Can't compare anything I have read to it.

Which character – as performed by Amanda Lindhout – was your favorite?

Amanda.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Her goal to stay positive throughout everything was inspiring!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this book. Amanda's story was full of life, struggle and inspiration. I also loved that she narrated the book. It made my experience listening so personal.

Such an amazing tale of survival

Amanda writes a beautiful account of a horrible kidnapping and torture she endured in Somalia. It’s very difficult to read at times but what a wonderful story of survival!!