Title: Das Mädchen, das aus dem Dschungel kam: Eine Kindheit unter Affen
Author: Marina Chapman
First published January 1, 2013
288 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9783499614590 (ISBN10: 3499614596)
Rating: 3.94
Overview
Marina Chapman’s life is a story of resilience, survival, and hope. At the tender age of five, she was kidnapped and abandoned in the Colombian jungle.
Left to fend for herself, Marina found solace and protection in a clan of capuchin monkeys. Through sheer will and determination, she learned to adapt and thrive in her new environment, forgetting her human past along the way.
But after five years, Marina was discovered by poachers and sold into a brothel. Despite the unimaginable horrors she faced, Marina never lost her will to survive.
After escaping, she embarked on a journey to find her place in the world, finally finding a family that allowed her to lead a normal life. This is the breathtaking story of a girl who overcame the odds and found her way home.
About the Author
Marina Chapman, who is now married to an Englishman and resides in Bradford, England, has a generous plan to donate the profits she earns from her book to support charities that fight against human trafficking and child slavery in Colombia.
Editoral Review
Das Mädchen, das aus dem Dschungel kam: Eine Kindheit unter Affen by Marina Chapman is a memoir that tells the incredible story of a girl who spent part of her childhood living with a group of monkeys in the Colombian jungle. Chapman’s book is a unique addition to the memoir genre, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, as it offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a young girl who was forced to adapt to life in the jungle.
Marina Chapman was born in Colombia and has lived in England for most of her adult life. She first shared her story with the world in 2013 through her memoir, Das Mädchen, das aus dem Dschungel kam.
The book has since been translated into multiple languages and inspired a documentary film and a TED talk. The narrative is framed by a dramatic prologue that sets the stage for the rest of the book.
The story begins when Chapman is only five years old and is kidnapped from her home by a group of strangers. After days of being kept captive and alone, Chapman manages to escape and finds herself lost in the jungle.
She soon meets a group of monkeys who become her protectors and teachers. Throughout the book, Chapman recounts her experiences living with the monkeys and how she learned to survive in the jungle.
She describes her interactions with the different members of the monkey group, the dangers she faced living in the wild, and the eventual rescue that brought her back to human society. Chapman’s memoir is definitely one of the most unique stories that have been told, and it is not an easy read.
The book has a dream-like quality that requires the reader to suspend their disbelief and accept the possibility of a young girl living with monkeys. The writing is descriptive, and the book has a sense of pacing that keeps the reader engaged throughout.
One of the book’s strengths is the character development. Chapman’s narrative is full of vividly drawn characters, but it is the monkeys that steal the show.
The book provides insight into the social structure of the monkey group and how they interact with each other and their environment. The book also touches on themes of identity, resilience, and the power of human adaptability.
Chapman’s journey is one of survival and resilience, and her story showcases the enduring strength of the human spirit. However, the book does have some limitations.
Some may find the narrative disjointed, and the writing style may not be to everyone’s liking. Additionally, the lack of concrete details about Chapman’s life before and after her time in the jungle may leave some readers with more questions than answers.
Overall, Das Mädchen, das aus dem Dschungel kam is an extraordinary memoir that is both compelling and thought-provoking. While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to suspend their disbelief and take the journey with Marina Chapman will be rewarded.
The memoir is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and adaptation and is definitely worth reading. Washington Press gives the book 4 out of 5 stars.
