Spanning the years 1984-1998, this is a bildungsroman of a Rwandan boy, Nbuktu Jean Patrick who aspires to become an Olympic runner. The government is Hutu and there are escalating tensions with the minority population of Tutsi which play out in the fabric of Jean Patrick's life despite his ambitions. Swept up in events beyond his control, Jean Patrick must reconcile his grief, fear, hopes and optimism even as the assassination of the Hutu president becomes the flash point for genocide. Benaron provides a Tutsi protagonist and a details of the atrocities, but there is an odd narrative remove from the events. We hear of the violence; but don't really experience it to any degree and some of it is glossed over in poetic phrasing. It's a solid story but not particularly engaging. Its merits lie in invoking a desire in the reader to learn more about what really happened. ( )

Fantastic! ( )

I enjoyed this book, although the "relationship" aspect seemed to overpower the Hutu-Tutsi conflict. I felt the main character kept blinders on throughout the novel. It's definitely worth reading. ( )

Well written and a glimpse into an unknown world - we're taken into the life of a Tutsi young man as he tries to continue his education, become an Olympic caliber runner, and help his family survive during the Hutu uprising and control. The fear and anxiety he feels at all times, even doing the most mundane of things is so well conveyed that I would often feel tense when putting the book down. I always enjoy being transported to another part of the world - even learning about the worst parts of country's history. An emotional and enlightening read. ( )

Running the Rift is a slow moving novel but it is never boring. It gives great detail into what it is like as a young person growing up in Rwanda in political upheaval. I learned what being a student is like, you don't get to pick the subjects you study or how important family is, having Easter dinner all together, or how dating couples behave , no kissing in public... What it is like to be a Tutsi in a country where Tutsi are made into the political scapegots of the Hutu. The tribal likeness and differences are well described These traditions are alive and so well described in this book. Jean Patrick faces many trials in his young life as he tries to make his way as a 800 meter runner aiming for the Olympics. All these come to an abrupt halt when political murders cause the genocide that even in print is difficult to read let alone understand. Why was Rawanda abandon by the world? This book is important and I learned a lot. ( )