A Long Way Gone is Ishmael Beah’s noteworthy memoir published in 2007. Beah gives a firsthand account of his experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone civil war in the 1990s. Written by Beah in the United States after he returned to civilian life, the narrative gives real-life insight into how children can be coerced to commit terrible acts of war. His story is ultimately a striking portrayal of the horror of war, the innocence it crushes, and the small acts of kindness amidst the carnage.

Summary

Read our full plot summary and analysis of A Long Way Gone, chapter-by-chapter break-downs, and more.

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in A Long Way Gone and in-depth analyses of Ishmael Beah, Junior, Esther, and more.

Literary Devices

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Quotes

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