Book Review: Prisoner 1056: How I Survived War and Found Peace
Note to the author:
Dear Roy,
As a fellow child of immigrants who fled war-torn Sri Lanka to find a better life in Australia, I want to thank you for your incredible book. It has helped me appreciate the struggles of my parents' generation, what they had to endure, and how blessed I am to live in one of the greatest countries on Earth with our freedoms.
Your book is a timepiece for the generations, ensuring that our story is not forgotten. Thank you again for sharing your story with the world.
Kind Regards
Noel
THE BOOK IN 1 SENTENCE:
A testimony to all humanity that you can truly achieve anything on this Earth no matter where your from, what your past is & how you’ve lived to date.
Who Should Read It?
Everyone! Especially people under the age of 40 who are born in a Western Country & have never lived in a war torn environment. BONUS: If you’re parents are from a Sri Lankan background or you want to learn more about Sri Lankan history, this book is a must.
HOW THE BOOK CHANGED ME.
Prisoner 1056 has opened my eyes to the hope and horrors of humanity, and how they can exist in such close proximity to each other. It has given me a greater appreciation for learning more about the history of my ancestors and ensuring that our generation is not ignorant of the past. It has given me a desire to live a life with all the opportunities in front of me and ensuring that future generations do not see the atrocities my ancestors faced. It has inspired me to aim high with my career and business after hearing how Roy changed the destiny of his family name in one generation.
My favourite quote’s from the book:
“I don’t want you to survive, I want you to live.”
“There are no winners in war, only survivors.”
About the Author
Roy Ratnavel was born in Point Pedro, the northernmost point of Sri Lanka. He grew up in one of the most tumultuous times in the country's history. He was imprisoned for no reason other than his race, and he arrived in Canada with only $50 to his name. However, he persevered and eventually became one of the country's top executives.
About the Book
Roy Ratnavel's Prisoner 1056 is a powerful and inspiring memoir that tells the story of his journey from war-torn Sri Lanka to a new life in Canada.
The book is divided into three parts:
Part One: The War Years
Part Two: The New Immigrant
Part Three: Winning in Canada
Part One: The War Years
The war in Sri Lanka was one of the least documented terrors of the 20th/21st century, with little to no material available to the wider public. In Part One, Roy shares his story from his point of view, highlighting the sheer atrocities that happened and need to be heard, along with the faith in humanity he experienced from those who were not his people.
Part Two: The New Immigrant
In Part Two, Roy tells the story of his miraculous entrance into Canada and recounts his experiences adjusting to life in Canada. He describes the challenges of learning a new language and culture, and the discrimination that he and his family faced. However, he also describes the kindness and generosity of the Canadian people, and the opportunities that he was able to find in his new home.
Part Three: Winning in Canada
In Part Three, Roy shows how he took his opportunities and succeeded in one of the world's greatest nations. He also shares his stern warning for generations to come about how culture is shifting.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed Prisoner 1056. It is a powerful and inspiring story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Roy's writing is honest and raw, and he doesn't shy away from sharing the difficult parts of his story. The book is well-paced and engaging, and I found myself reading it quickly via the Audiobook, his narration was excellent! Roy's story is inspiring and hopeful, and it reminded me of the power of the human spirit.
I would highly recommend Prisoner 1056 to anyone who is interested in reading a powerful and inspiring story. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
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