Even Silence Has an End

Even Silence Has an End
By Ingrid Betancourt

I must admit after watching Ingrid Betancourt on Oprah a few months ago, I raced to Amazon.com to download her book to my Kindle. Book club priority be dammed! It was imperative I read this story now. I started reading more online about the controversy surrounding Ms. Betancourt and I thought, hmmm…. Maybe I don’t want to read this book. I struggled with purchasing it for a bit and then decided no matter the controversy it is a story worth reading. As I sat awake last night finishing up her six-year adventure in captivity, I can in one word sum up her experience: unbelievable.

Throughout the book I felt so blessed to live where I do. Growing up in the United States far from any situation this terrifying and dramatic. While we have our challenges in this country, it is a remote possibility for a presidential candidate to be abducted and held prisoner in a violent section of our country controlled by armed terrorists. A surprising side effect was to grow more aware of the fundamental blanket of safety I live under.

I can’t imagine living under the conditions she did, chained up by her neck for most of her years under the FARC’s control and the abuse of the jungle. When I go camping under the threat of mild mosquitoes, occasional bee stings and a sometimes stinky outhouse, I have felt like I was really roughing it. Oh contraire! I was in the lap of luxury compared to her dwellings deep in the Amazon jungle.

Even Silence Has an End, for me, was a jaw-dropping story filled with insights into the human soul under pressure and deep anguish. When hope is all you have and you are relinquished to living as no more than a dog on a leash; what becomes of the human spirit? Do we see an ugly side of each other? Do we find beauty? Do we come to know hatred on a deep level? Are we forgiving? Ms. Betancourt’s portrayal of her experience is insight to all of this.

As for the controversy, I think reserving judgment for anyone who was held captive is key. Being in such a situation, no matter who you are, will bring out some pretty uncomfortable behavioral traits.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I looked forward to reading it everyday and have enjoyed how thankful it has made me for the life I am living.

Bravo Ingrid.

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