Rating: 
Summary: Lovely and enchanting, Susana Herrera has a way with words.
Review: As a Peace Corps volunteer just three years home, I haven't been inspired to read other volunteers' experiences because of the intensity of my own. However, one of my professors loaned this book to me thinking that since Susana was in the Peace Corps in Africa as I was, I would be interested in reading it. It turns out that I was. She has a beautiful way of expressing what happens to lots of volunteers; the fear, the confusion, the coming to terms with oneself and one's surroundings, the eventual pride in oneself for sticking it out in the most difficult of situations. I suggest that former volunteers pick this one up. If you haven't already come to terms with your experience, this book will put you on the road.
Rating: 
Summary: Fresh way of writing, wise ways of looking at humanity
Review: Ditto most of what the other 3 reviewers have said. I found Herrera's way of looking at life quite wise for a 30-year-old. She expresses her thoughts in original ways that set the reader thinking and wanting to be more creative in outlook. This book will appeal to memoir fans, but even more to those wanting to "visit" the Cameroons in all its wonder and pain. I find several of my friends, as I did, read MANGO ELEPHANTS back-to-back with POISONWOOD BIBLE because we learned about Africa while enjoying good stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice writing, not Peace Corps
Review: Five of us, all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, read this book together. Our consensus view: Herrera can write but the book is more about how her time in Cameroon fits in her life than about being a Peace Corps Volunteer. If you want a book that will provide a view of what being a Peace Corps Volunteer is like you should read a different book. If you want an interesting, well written book this is a good choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story, but just not what I was looking for...
Review: I am soon to depart for Cameroon with Peace Corps to teach science, and have been looking everywhere for information. When I came across this book, I was excited by all of the positive reviews, and bought it. I agree that this is a good book, but is somewhat romaticized. Maybe it's just because the author is 23, and learning what all of us learn at one time or another in our twenties. I also skipped ALL of the poetry sections. I love poetry, but none of these poems held my attention or sparked any insight for me. It is simply the expressive poetry written by a girl trying to find herself. If you're looking for a realistic view of PC, look elsewhere. If you're trying to decide if you want to join, it's a great book to get you fired up. For the real Q and A on Peace Corps, try "So you want to be in Peace Corps? Here's what you should know". Much more informative and practical.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every minute!
Review: I felt compelled to write this review because folks who have criticized it as more personal narrative and "journal-y" have completely missed the point. If you notice the title, the book was never meant to be a narrative of "what to expect if you are going into the Peace Corps" rather it is a spiritual and magical retelling of a young woman's personal and physical journey into the unknown. Herrera weaves a beautifully human story with personal detail, private pain and vivid images that takes the reader on her journey into the North African desert. If you happen to be looking for "what to expect" you will definitely get a sense of life as a Peace Corps volunteer...in all its vivid detail...but if you think that is the point of reading this book... you will have missed the point entirely.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every minute!
Review: I felt compelled to write this review because folks who have criticized it as more personal narrative and "journal-y" have completely missed the point. If you notice the title, the book was never meant to be a narrative of "what to expect if you are going into the Peace Corps" rather it is a spiritual and magical retelling of a young woman's personal and physical journey into the unknown. Herrera weaves a beautifully human story with personal detail, private pain and vivid images that takes the reader on her journey into the North African desert. If you happen to be looking for "what to expect" you will definitely get a sense of life as a Peace Corps volunteer...in all its vivid detail...but if you think that is the point of reading this book... you will have missed the point entirely.
Rating:
Summary: Nice writing, not Peace Corps
Review: I recently applied to be a Peace Corps volunteer and naturally wanted to learn of some personal experiences. I purchased several personal memoirs from returned volunteers. I have read both this novel and "The Ponds of Kalambayi" by Mike Tidwell. They are both excellent resources for anyone interested in the Peace Corps...or even anyone just interested in learning about different cultures. I really enjoyed reading both of these books. They are very well-written.
Rating:
Summary: Definite must-read!
Review: I recently applied to be a Peace Corps volunteer and naturally wanted to learn of some personal experiences. I purchased several personal memoirs from returned volunteers. I have read both this novel and "The Ponds of Kalambayi" by Mike Tidwell. They are both excellent resources for anyone interested in the Peace Corps...or even anyone just interested in learning about different cultures. I really enjoyed reading both of these books. They are very well-written.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I stumbled upon this book, which I'd never heard of, while browsing in the library, and checked it out on a whim. It proved to be a real stroke of luck, because the book was a delight to read. Not only does it paint a fascinating picture of life in a small Cameroonian village -- a far cry from what it's like here in the United States -- but the story of the author's personal journey, told with honesty and integrity, is compelling in its own right. The biggest surprise was that Herrera is a very talented writer with a real gift for poetry.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: I'm reading this book right now for an English class at the school where Ms. Herrera currently teaches. After hearing her slide show on the book, the images she describes were brought to life. Without this, it still is a great book. It's more about what would I do in her position than it is about being a volunteer. For those who want to read a story about the need to fit in in a new place, this is it!
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