A House in the Sky: A Memoir of a Kidnapping That Changed Everything Paperback – 3 Apr 2014

Review

"Exquisitely told...[A House in the Sky"] is much more than a gonzo adventure tale gone awry--it's a young woman's harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph....There's no self-pity or grandiosity in these pages. In the cleanest prose, she and Corbett allow events both horrific and absurd...to unfold on their own. Lindhout's resilience transforms the story from a litany of horrors into a humbling encounter with the human spirit."--Eliza Griswold "The New York Times Book Review "

"A poetic, profound, and thrilling exploration of one woman's misadventure set against the backdrop of global terrorism...Elegant and evocative."--Rebecca Johnson "Vogue "

"A great book...The lesson [Amanda Lindhout] taught me and others who know this remarkable young woman is: What matters is not how you got there, but what you do once you've arrived."--Robert Draper "ELLE "

"[A] harrowing, beautifully written memoir....The wide-eyed optimism and unflappable determination that led [Amanda Lindhout] to danger also kept her alive...A brave, compassionate and inspiring triumph."--Korina Lopez "USA Today (4-star review) "

"A searingly unsentimental account...Ultimately, it is compassion--for her naive younger self, for her kidnappers--that becomes the key to [Lindhout's] survival."--Holly Morris "O, the Oprah magazine "

"Keenly observed and sprinkled with arresting details, A House in the Sky" is more than one woman's heartbreaking tale of captivity. The book sheds light on a conflict area not often painted with nuance. It dares to explore the outer reaches of human empathy. A stunning, haunting, and redemptive read, Lindhout's story is one that stays with you long after the book has been closed."--Grace Bello "The Christian Science Monitor "

"[A] remarkably keen-eyed, honest, and radiant memoir...Moving and informative reading for everyone."--Barbara Hoffert "Library Journal "

"Writing with immediacy and urgency, Lindhout and Corbett recount the horrific ordeal in crisp, frank, evocative prose. But what readers will walk away with is an admiration for Lindhout's deep reserves of courage under unimaginable circumstances."--Kristine Huntley "Booklist (starred review) "

"A vivid and moving account of how Amanda kept alive the inner light and the spirit of forgiveness even as she found herself in the heart of darkness."--Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth

""A House in the Sky" is a stunning story of strength and survival. It is sometimes brutal, but always beautiful as Amanda Lindhout discovers that in a fight for her life, her most powerful weapons are hope and compassion."--Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle and The Silver Star

"This is one of the most powerfully-written books I have ever read. Harrowing, hopeful, graceful, redeeming and true, it tells a story of inhumanity and humanity that somehow feels deeply ancient and completely modern. It is beautiful, devastating and heroic--both a shout of defiance and a humbling call to prayer."--Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things

"In this lyrical and inspiring book, Amanda Lindhout describes humanity's capacity for cruelty. Yet she also brings to life the deep compassion and courage that resides in all of us. A story of grace, insight and tenacity, "A House in the Sky" shows us the power and importance of perseverance, hope and forgiveness."--David Rohde, Reuters columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Rope and a Prayer and Beyond War

""A House in the Sky" is the riveting story, exquisitely told, of a young woman's passionate quest to create an uncommonly large life, against all odds. Amanda Lindhout's journey is a singular one, an epic adventure that ranges from colorful to gripping, in which the stakes are nothing less than absolutely everything. With stunning honesty and clarity, Lindhout and Corbett have made certain of two things: No reader will ever forget this book--or be able to put it down."--Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean

"Lindhout manages to tell her story and to transcend it. Her account stands as a nonfiction companion to Emma Donoghue's shattering, haunting novel about captivity, Room.""--Emily Bazelon "Slate "

Exquisitely told [A House in the Sky"] is much more than a gonzo adventure tale gone awry it s a young woman s harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph .There s no self-pity or grandiosity in these pages. In the cleanest prose, she and Corbett allow events both horrific and absurd to unfold on their own. Lindhout s resilience transforms the story from a litany of horrors into a humbling encounter with the human spirit. --Eliza Griswold "The New York Times Book Review ""

A poetic, profound, and thrilling exploration of one woman s misadventure set against the backdrop of global terrorism Elegant and evocative. --Rebecca Johnson "Vogue ""

A great book The lesson [Amanda Lindhout] taught me and others who know this remarkable young woman is: What matters is not how you got there, but what you do once you ve arrived. --Robert Draper "ELLE ""

[A] harrowing, beautifully written memoir .The wide-eyed optimism and unflappable determination that led [Amanda Lindhout] to danger also kept her alive A brave, compassionate and inspiring triumph. --Korina Lopez "USA Today (4-star review) ""

A searingly unsentimental account Ultimately, it is compassion for her naive younger self, for her kidnappers that becomes the key to [Lindhout s] survival. --Holly Morris "O, the Oprah magazine ""

[A] remarkably keen-eyed, honest, and radiant memoir Moving and informative reading for everyone. --Barbara Hoffert "Library Journal ""

Writing with immediacy and urgency, Lindhout and Corbett recount the horrific ordeal in crisp, frank, evocative prose. But what readers will walk away with is an admiration for Lindhout s deep reserves of courage under unimaginable circumstances. --Kristine Huntley "Booklist (starred review) ""

A vivid and moving account of how Amanda kept alive the inner light and the spirit of forgiveness even as she found herself in the heart of darkness. --Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth"

"A House in the Sky" is a stunning story of strength and survival. It is sometimes brutal, but always beautiful as Amanda Lindhout discovers that in a fight for her life, her most powerful weapons are hope and compassion. --Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle and The Silver Star"

This is one of the most powerfully-written books I have ever read. Harrowing, hopeful, graceful, redeeming and true, it tells a story of inhumanity and humanity that somehow feels deeply ancient and completely modern. It is beautiful, devastating and heroic both a shout of defiance and a humbling call to prayer. --Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things"

"A House in the Sky" is the riveting story, exquisitely told, of a young woman s passionate quest to create an uncommonly large life, against all odds. Amanda Lindhout s journey is a singular one, an epic adventure that ranges from colorful to gripping, in which the stakes are nothing less than absolutely everything. With stunning honesty and clarity, Lindhout and Corbett have made certain of two things: No reader will ever forget this book or be able to put it down. --Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean"

Exquisitely told [A House in the Sky] is much more than a gonzo adventure tale gone awry it s a young woman s harrowing coming-of-age story and an extraordinary narrative of forgiveness and spiritual triumph .There s no self-pity or grandiosity in these pages. In the cleanest prose, she and Corbett allow events both horrific and absurd to unfold on their own. Lindhout s resilience transforms the story from a litany of horrors into a humbling encounter with the human spirit. --Eliza Griswold "The New York Times Book Review ""

Lindhout manages to tell her story and to transcend it. Her account stands as a nonfiction companion to Emma Donoghue s shattering, haunting novel about captivity, Room. --Emily Bazelon "Slate ""

Keenly observed and sprinkled with arresting details, A House in the Sky is more than one woman s heartbreaking tale of captivity. The book sheds light on a conflict area not often painted with nuance. It dares to explore the outer reaches of human empathy. A stunning, haunting, and redemptive read, Lindhout s story is one that stays with you long after the book has been closed. --Grace Bello "The Christian Science Monitor ""

A House in the Sky is a stunning story of strength and survival. It is sometimes brutal, but always beautiful as Amanda Lindhout discovers that in a fight for her life, her most powerful weapons are hope and compassion. --Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle and The Silver Star"

In this lyrical and inspiring book, Amanda Lindhout describes humanity's capacity for cruelty. Yet she also brings to life the deep compassion and courage that resides in all of us. A story of grace, insight and tenacity, A House in the Sky shows us the power and importance of perseverance, hope and forgiveness. --David Rohde, Reuters columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Rope and a Prayer and Beyond War"

A House in the Sky is the riveting story, exquisitely told, of a young woman s passionate quest to create an uncommonly large life, against all odds. Amanda Lindhout s journey is a singular one, an epic adventure that ranges from colorful to gripping, in which the stakes are nothing less than absolutely everything. With stunning honesty and clarity, Lindhout and Corbett have made certain of two things: No reader will ever forget this book or be able to put it down. --Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean" --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Amanda Lindhout is the founder of the Global Enrichment Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports development, aid and education initiatives in Somalia and Kenya. For more information, visit Amandalindhout.com and globalenrichmentfoundation.com

Sara Corbett is a contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine. Her work has also appeared in National Geographic; Elle; Outside; O, the Oprah magazine; Esquire; and Mother Jones.