A Heart for Freedom

I have some pretty mixed feelings about this book.

I very much enjoyed most of it... but, the end of the book did not sit well with me, though.
For the bulk of the story, we learn of an extremely intelligent, driven, and hard working girl who grows into a pretty amazing young woman (in spite of extreme hardship). Her account of her childhood and college years is a compelling read - I found that I had developed great admiration for the strength and leadership she developed. I continued to feel this way until the very end of the book.

In the closing chapters of the book, she becomes a self proclaimed “Jesus follower.” This (not surprisingly) entirely changes her outlook. In many ways, the consequences are not unfortunate... but in others... It made me very sad that she attributed her successes, hard work, and intelligence not to her own strength of character, but to god. This happens all the time, and it makes me sad every time it does.

The authors spends a fair amount of the closing pages trying to find a way to be forgiven for the forced abortions she had when she was young (and forgiving other women for the abortions - both forced and chosen). Seeking forgiveness for a forced abortion is like seeking forgiveness for being raped - you did not sin. No forgiveness is necessary. This made me sad and a little angry.

I finished the book, but I found the ending particularly problematic considering it was written by a woman who is spearheading a campaign to promote awareness of the rights of girls and women worldwide.

I'll give it more thought... but for now, I am glad to have read the book and learned the story of this amazing woman.