Book review: A Gift from Darkness by Patience Ibrahim & Andrea C. Hoffmann

I guess it is fitting to say that I read this book just about the right time. It took me roughly three days to read, however three more days to comprehend and write this review. Once again, the views and thoughts expressed are mine. These views I share are to persuade you into reading this book and to develop your views about the plight of kidnapping. 

I am still very shaken from reading ‘’A Gift from Darkness’’ I must say this openly. What makes me express my feelings is not only because I am aware of the kidnappings taking place to date. However, the notion that we as a continent cannot seem to find solutions to rid the plight of kidnappings. Instead we find ourselves crafting tactics of negotiating for the freedom of our Africans. It baffles me that we find ourselves as Africans needing to relinquish our identities to merely survive. 

Well, not Patience she shared a harrowing yet very inspirational story of how she escaped the captivity of Boko Haram. I don’t want to call Patience strong because very harsh circumstances pushed her to the edge. What I can rather say is that strength was her only option. She was not presented with any other option but strength. I agree with the notion that we need to rise above every occasion however, when an occasion is orchestrated to cause harm I disagree. 

Let me first mention my anger at the horrific events that take place in these camps described by Patience. When I read what happened to women in these camps not only was I frightened, however I was emotional. I was emotional because we have normalised violence and find ways to incite violence even amongst ourselves. It is appalling to read that not only are women being violated by the bandits however men captured in these camps also violate women. 

A Gift from Darkness skillfully tells a story of Patience survival and escape. There are three aspects that I took from reading this book and believe as an African continent we need to turn our eyes on. 

The first aspect when reading ‘’A Gift from Darkness’’ it exposed the violence that women and Africans are faced with on the African continent. Gender-based violence, rape, femicide, child marriages and terrorism are challenges that we need to end. As an African to have to be reminded that these challenges exist cause concern. Every chapter detailing violence had me questioning what will become of our African children. If going to school heightens the risk of kidnapping we indeed are in trouble Africans.

The second aspect from reading ‘’A Gift from Darkness’’ is that it amplifies the vulnerabilities of women. It was Patience who went around hoping that they wouldn’t see her pregnancy. It was the mothers in the camps hiding their daughters from the bandits not to forcefully marry them. Women being raped and beaten to death. The choice given to women was to either convert to the Islam religion or marry the soldiers. Therefore, this reminds us that the journey to liberating women lies ahead of us as a continent. 

Lastly, a call for women to be economically emancipated right now. Patience believed her husband’s existence would free her economically and forgot that too her husband was human. Her husband being human does not guarantee a long life. In her case, she lost him and was forced to fend for herself. Patience’s story is a reminder that women need to be free economically and not marry for economic reasons. We need to preach the message of women seeking opportunities to better their lives. The bettering of the lives of women should not only be equated to marriage. The value of women transcends through marriage. Patience lost all hope because she believed in her husband. It was the life she carried that kept her alive. May we use the story of Patience to take back our power and not live our lives through men. As individuals we all have God-given purposes to fulfill married or not. 

I highly recommend you read this book and if you feel like a Patience there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

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