When I Was Elena

I came across When I was Elena by Ellen Urbani Hiltebrand this spring when my mother's friend passed it along to me. She had heard the author speak and thought I would enjoy the story. Feeling like I was under pressure to return the book, I moved it straight to the top of my pile. It just so happened it coincided nicely with the Non-Fiction Five Challenge.

When I Was Elena is the story of Hiltebrand's experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer during the early 1990s in Guatemala. In addition to describing the adventures in her life, she also includes several chapters told from the perspective of Guatemalan women, women without voices.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Hiltebrand was faced with some amazing challenges... all of which fueled a little anxiety I took with me to Peru. However, I did find myself more and more curious about the details of her Peace Corps assignment, which are sprinkled through the pages sparingly.

Recommendation: If you like to read about adventure from the safety of your own home, When I Was Elena offers plenty.

Note: I wish I could give a more detailed review. I read this book several months ago and returned it to the original owner. I'm working on pure memory.