Book SummaryA House In the Sky, by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of A House In the Sky

A House in the Sky is a memoir by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett that recounts Lindhout’s experience of being kidnapped and held captive in Somalia for 15 months. The book explores the circumstances that led to her abduction, the challenges she faced during her captivity, and the impact the experience had on her life. Lindhout’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of the human spirit to endure even the most difficult circumstances.

Lindhout is a Canadian journalist and humanitarian who has worked in conflict zones around the world. She is the founder of the Global Enrichment Foundation, which supports...

A House In the Sky Summary The Circumstances of Captivity

According to Lindhout and Corbett, Amanda and Nigel faced a long and uncertain captivity. They were captive for more than 100 days with no sign of release. Amanda suffered from health problems, including a spreading rash on her face, and endured sexual abuse by a captor. Though she confided in Nigel about the abuse, she was unwilling to talk about it further.

The captors threatened to kill Amanda and Nigel, but they also treated them with some kindness. Amanda and Nigel considered escaping, but they decided it was too risky. They were afraid of being killed if they were caught, and they were also concerned about the safety of the three Somali men who were being held captive with them. Nigel and Amanda converted to Islam, hoping it would make their captors treat them better. The captors assigned them new names and taught them to pray.

The Power of Religious Identity

In Terror in the Mind of God, Mark Juergensmeyer explains that in many cases of religiously motivated militancy, the crucial distinction is not between combatant and noncombatant but between those who are inside and those who are outside the community of faith....

A House In the Sky Summary The Experience of Captivity

Lindhout and Corbett describe how Amanda and Nigel faced immense challenges during their captivity, which lasted 15 months. During this time, Amanda was raped, and both suffered from hunger, beatings, and confinement in darkness. They tried to maintain optimism and provide mutual support, yet the experience left them traumatized and changed.

Following their release, they struggled to reconnect, finding their conversations disjointed and tense. Amanda founded the Global Enrichment Foundation with the aim of supporting Somali education, hoping to prevent others from experiencing what she went through. She strives to forgive her captors, recognizing they were shaped by their violent environment, and to forgive herself for the impact her decision to go to Somalia had on her loved ones.

Education as a Tool for Reducing Violence

Amanda’s decision to support Somali education may help prevent others from experiencing what she did. In Education and Conflict: Complexity and Chaos, Lynn Davies argues that well-designed, inclusive and equitable education systems in contexts of...

A House In the Sky Summary Key Terms and Definitions

Let’s now define key terms that Lindhout and Corbett use in their book.

Islamic Concepts & Somali Context

Lindhout and Corbett explore the concept of "jihad," both as a personal struggle and a violent struggle to defend Islam. Jihad is an Arabic word that means “the struggle.” Islam recognizes two forms of jihad: the major jihad and the minor jihad. The larger jihad is an inward struggle to be a better person and maintain faith. The minor jihad is an external, collective, and aggressive battle to protect Islam.

The authors also explore haram, an Arabic term meaning things that are forbidden. They describe how Muslim insurgents in Mogadishu enforced...

Shortform Exercise: The Decision to Travel to Somalia

Amanda Lindhout chose to visit Somalia despite the known risks. Explore the complexities of her decision and its consequences.

Why do you think Amanda was willing to travel to Somalia despite the dangers involved?