During the spring of 1994, in a tiny country called Rwanda, some 800,000 people were hacked to death, one by one, by their neighbors in a gruesome...
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Feb 10, 2012
Joel
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This book is largely comprised of interviews from the men who perpetrated the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. I definitely enjoyed the authenticity of hearing from e men themselves. The author also inserts some background information and occasional observations about the nature of genocide.
I enjoyed several things about this book:
1. It gave me a great understanding of the historical background for the events in Rwanda.
2. It gave me a small sense of what it would have been like to be More...
I enjoyed several things about this book:
1. It gave me a great understanding of the historical background for the events in Rwanda.
2. It gave me a small sense of what it would have been like to be More...
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Mar 18, 2010
FiveBooks
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Writer Philip Gourevitch has chosen to discuss Jean Hatzfeld’s Machete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak on FiveBooks as one of the top five on his subject - Rwanda, saying that:
Hatzfeld wound up going back to Rwanda and the whole group of killers who had been pursuing the survivors he’d been writing about in his first book were all in one prison nearby. And he arranged to meet with them on a regular basis, individually and collectively, to hear their stories. And it’s the most di More...
Hatzfeld wound up going back to Rwanda and the whole group of killers who had been pursuing the survivors he’d been writing about in his first book were all in one prison nearby. And he arranged to meet with them on a regular basis, individually and collectively, to hear their stories. And it’s the most di More...
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Jan 23, 2011
Juliette
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Among the many published books dealing with the Rwandan genocide, Machete Season is perhaps the most direct and honest one I have come across in a long time. Told from the perspective of 6 accused killers/participants, the accounts are frank, deliberate and breathtaking. The author borders on anthropologist as he visits the prison each day, collecting the stories from these men. Although he admits to their deceptive ways in the beginning of their sessions together, by the end of the process, the
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Jan 17, 2011
Morgan
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Jean Hatzfeld interviews ten Hutus who participated in the Rwandan genocide while serving their terms in jail. The book is divided into sections of direct quotes made by the killers and some survivors and Hatzfeld's own challenge to understand how the killers' explanations fit into a larger context of genocides, politics and human nature. The killer's discussion about why and how the genocide happened and how they came to participate in it, and what they think of it now is nothing short of astou
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May 23, 2009
Maureen
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I noticed that one of my Goodreads friends who is a Holocaust librarian was reading this book, so I decided to follow his lead. Words cannot begin to convey the depth and complexity of emotions which this book elicits. More than anything else, it is devastating, and insightful: giving the reader a glimpse into the minds of the Hutu killers during the Rwandan genocide.
All I can do is provide you with one small, chilling example of what one Hutu farmer thought when asked about the word gen More...
All I can do is provide you with one small, chilling example of what one Hutu farmer thought when asked about the word gen More...
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May 26, 2011
Heather
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This is a very interesting series of interviews with some of the participants in the Rwandan genocide, who took up machetes and killed their neighbors. That said, I read this book in small doses, a chapter at a time, over a couple of months, and I can't imagine any other way. It takes time to absorb, and I think if you read it all at once it would lose some impact. I am glad the killers agreed to talk, and that they were interviewed - though their perspectives are, I admit, not something I ca
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Jul 02, 2007
david-baptiste
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this is a devastating book--jean hatzfeld presents in a lucid prose the situation of the men who speak in this book--released war criminals, men who had a daily job of killing from 9 to 5--with a lunch break--beer after work--a ride to and from work--and now are being slowly reintegrated back into their society--
none of the things tha a reader may expect or hope or imagine to hear from these men is here--the range of tones in which the words take place is a dimension which is at once so co More...
none of the things tha a reader may expect or hope or imagine to hear from these men is here--the range of tones in which the words take place is a dimension which is at once so co More...
Jul 03, 2011
Yvonne
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3.5 I found this book much more difficult to read than other accounts of the Rwandan genocide. It was chilling to read the words of these killers, spoken so casually in most cases, and to see their pictures, knowing that their faces were the last thing that many victims saw before being hacked to death. Yes, there is insight to be gained from their versions of history but I felt sullied by reading it and can only imagine how survivors could find it in their heart to forgive these men and move on
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Jul 28, 2010
Angela
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The layout of this book was awful, and the stories got repetitive. I feel like the author stayed away from the tough questions with regard to the men who killed, instead allowing them to tell only what they wished with no real challenge as to their frames of minds.
I may have learned a little more of the how, but I still don't really understand the WHY.
The tidbits related to culture were what kept me reading, but in the end they couldn't save this book, and I can't really More...
I may have learned a little more of the how, but I still don't really understand the WHY.
The tidbits related to culture were what kept me reading, but in the end they couldn't save this book, and I can't really More...
Aug 15, 2009
Jen
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This book is absolutely horrifying as it deals with first hand accounts of several killers from Rwanda during the genocide. I think I was looking for some kind of insight into the mentality of these killers, and how seemingly normal people could commit such acts of evil. Ultimately the complete banality and lack of remorse these killers felt, both during and after, the atricious murders of babies, neighbours, pregnant women etc., just left me feeling devasted.
May 14, 2008
Matthew
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Jean H did a great job coaxing interviews from the Rwandan killers, and their words, for the most part true, are shocking and insightful. Hard to draw any conclusions. Sometimes you feel fascination, like slowing down to view a car wreck- and that isn't necessarily healthy. You run through different emotions as you read what the killers have to say- and even wonder if thy aren't somehow victims themselves. Jean H isn't the most impartial journalist, and I often wished he would not interject his
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May 04, 2010
i made this poem from the book.
800,000 people hacked to death
one by one
woman, men, and children
same race and shared same language
first i cracked an old mama's skull
it was with a club
she was already lying almost dead
i didn't feel death at the end of my arm
i seized the machete
i struck at first blow
i jumped back a step
i closed my eyes in the brouhaha
800,000 people hacked to death
one by one
woman, men, and children
same race and shared same language
first i cracked an old mama's skull
it was with a club
she was already lying almost dead
i didn't feel death at the end of my arm
i seized the machete
i struck at first blow
i jumped back a step
i closed my eyes in the brouhaha
Sep 03, 2011
Jen
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I chose to not finish this one. I got about half way done but was a bit too disturbed to read any further. I do have to say that it was very well written, and I think it is an important book. Therefore, I applaud the author for taking such a brave step in gaining the trust of the killers so that our questions might be answered.
The interviews with the killers shed light on the mystery of how human beings could suddenly commit such horrendous acts for 100 days straight during the Rwan More...
The interviews with the killers shed light on the mystery of how human beings could suddenly commit such horrendous acts for 100 days straight during the Rwan More...
Dec 02, 2011
Marcia
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Whoa . . . so I am tuned into what is happening in this part of the world and I was not prepared for what I read. It was raw, but it was also very enlightening. I want to thank Jean Hatzfeld for doing all that it must have taken to acquire these testimonies. Also, his commentary was so interesting. I am looking forward to reading the survivor versions.
Mar 03, 2011
Patrick
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The most grotesque and difficult book I have ever finished. Its not the graphic descriptions that trouble me, but the tone of the killers as they discuss it. Methodical is probably the best word. Similar storytelling style to Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down but with less heartfelt enjoyment at the end.
Dec 30, 2008
Melissa
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Definitely a hard book to swallow. Gives a very in depth view of how the Hutus viewed (or were forced to view) the killings in the Rwandan genocide. Be prepared to take frequent breaks from reading this since the material can be heart-wrenching at times...difficult to read, but very raw and genuine.
Jul 07, 2008
Vanillabricot
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Un livre dur parcequ'un recueuil d'entretiens avec des hutus qui se sont livrés au génocide antitstutsien.
L'auteur qui avait déjà écrit un recueil de paroles de rescapés tutsis a réussit à réunir des conditions d'entretien où les tueurs ont pû être honnêtes dans leurs déclarations.
Le ton est tellement détaché, les crimes tellement surnaturels, les tueurs tellement inconscients de la monstruosité de leur acte, ils en parlent avec tellement de naturel: "ils allaient au trav More...
L'auteur qui avait déjà écrit un recueil de paroles de rescapés tutsis a réussit à réunir des conditions d'entretien où les tueurs ont pû être honnêtes dans leurs déclarations.
Le ton est tellement détaché, les crimes tellement surnaturels, les tueurs tellement inconscients de la monstruosité de leur acte, ils en parlent avec tellement de naturel: "ils allaient au trav More...
Jul 30, 2011
Deep and emotional. I learned so much from this book. It was quite interesting to read recounts of the Rwanda Genocide from those actually doing the killings. I wish the author would write a follow up book about their lives post prison and their reintegration into society with their Tutsi neighbors.
Jan 01, 2009
James
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This is a seriously depressing book. Jean Hatzfeld goes into a prison in Rwanda and interviews a dozen killers from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This book was fascinating and insightful. It explores how ordinary people can be swept up into inhumane acts. It's chilling really.
Jul 05, 2010
Hazel
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A truly chilling book. The story of the genocide in Rwanda from the killers' viewpoint. Extraordinary how the writer got into the mind-set of the otherwise very ordinary people who turned killing into daily work. Anyone with an interest in Rwanda should read this book as well as other books telling the stories of survivors.
Jun 10, 2009
Stephanie
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This book is heartbreaking, but honest in a way that makes you understand a little more about WHY genocide occurs. The expression "if all your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?" comes into play here, and the overwhelming answer is YES, most people would. Scary.
Jun 09, 2011
Cameron
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This book is heart-wrenching. I was on the verge of tears and sometimes getting sick at the blunt confessions of the Killers of the Rwandan genocide. I am glad to know this information, however it it overwhelmingly sad. It is so important to remember the humanity of every single person, regardless of arbitrary traits or even acts committed. We are all capable of great and terrible things but we are still a human family.
Jan 13, 2009
Adam82
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It may be a little difficult to read due to its explicit nature. It sucks that such actions are still occurring in the world. If you have heart, I would recommend checking this book out. I almost cried three times reading it. A must read!
Jan 08, 2011
Alexis
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This was a really good book. Read it for class and thought I was going to hate it since it's from the perspective of the killers and it actually shed really good insight on what they were thinking and how everything went down.
Aug 07, 2011
Kat
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Matter-of-Fact accounts of the Rwandan genocide as told by the killers. Could have been more moving and poignant with a bit of cleverer editing by the author. Still pretty chilling though.
Apr 15, 2009
Chris
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Very good book>> listens to the voice of the killers during the Genocide. Probably the most powerful line for me was,
"In truth, it came to me only afterward; I had taken the life of a neighbor. I mean, at the fatal instant I did not see in him what he had been before; I struck someone who was no longer either close or stranger to me, who wasn't exactly ordinary anymore, I'm saying like the people you meet every day. His features were indeed similar to those of the pers More...
"In truth, it came to me only afterward; I had taken the life of a neighbor. I mean, at the fatal instant I did not see in him what he had been before; I struck someone who was no longer either close or stranger to me, who wasn't exactly ordinary anymore, I'm saying like the people you meet every day. His features were indeed similar to those of the pers More...
Aug 02, 2011
Well written, but I wouldn't call it "good", very hard subject to read about. A lesson on what happens when we stop viewing each other as fellow human beings.
Feb 27, 2009
Michael T.
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This book let's the killers of the Rwandan Genocide speak. It is truly fascinating in a disturbed sort of way how normal people can do what these people did.
Jun 07, 2010
Kelsey
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A compilation of interviews of a group of killers from the Rwandan genocide. This is a harrowing, difficult book to read.
Mar 10, 2011
Laurel
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!!! Still can't believe this happened...was allowed to continue as long as it did....Horrifying story.
