Book review:Damn Lucky by Valder Larka

DAMN Lucky is the remarkable true story of a young man who left his native Sweden to fight with the armed resistance during Uganda’s ‘war in the bush’. Against the fragile backdrop of war’s brutal theatre he found brotherhood, a sense of purpose and belonging and - in the most unlikely of places - true love.In 1982, aged 17, Valder Larka moved with his family to Nairobi, Kenya. Keen to explore the world outside the affluent suburbs, his curiosity led him to a bar in the slums where he learned of the conflict, upheaval and years of terror that had forced so many Ugandans into exile.After a brief return to Sweden, Valder came back to Nairobi determined to join Uganda’s armed resistance. He soon found himself in the midst of a brutal war, barely surviving a horrific attack on a village. Rescued by Jonathan, the commander of a guerilla unit, and nursed back to health by his beautiful niece, Sambana, Valder convinced the unit to let him stay and fight alongside them. Valder quickly learned that war’s path is unpredictable and its character ugly. An unforeseen chain of events set in motion a catastrophe that tore Valder’s world - and heart - apart. But from the ashes of war, love can offer redemption and peace can begin to heal.

Lifestyle

Book review:Damn Lucky by Valder Larka