Strength in What Remains: Tracy Kidder's Epic Saga of Resilience, Community, and the Triumph of the Human Spirit

In the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder journeyed to Sri Lanka to uncover the stories of those who had survived the unimaginable. Among the many survivors he met, Kidder was particularly drawn to the story of Tom and Colette O'Neill, a couple who had lost everything in the disaster, including their home, possessions, and friends.

Kidder's book, Strength in What Remains, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in the face of tragedy. Through Kidder's masterful storytelling and evocative prose, the O'Neills' journey comes to life, offering readers a glimpse into the depths of human suffering and the heights of human compassion.

Strength in What Remains

by Tracy Kidder

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2293 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	308 pages

FREE

A Tragedy Unfolds

On December 26, 2004, Tom and Colette O'Neill were enjoying a leisurely breakfast at their beachside home in Sri Lanka. The weather was perfect, and the couple was looking forward to a day of swimming and sunbathing. But their idyllic morning was shattered in an instant when a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that would claim the lives of over 230,000 people.

The O'Neills' home was destroyed in the tsunami, and they were swept away by the raging waters. Tom was miraculously able to grab hold of a tree and hold on for dear life, but Colette was not so fortunate. She was carried away by the current and spent the next 24 hours floating in the open ocean before she was finally rescued by a fishing boat.

When Tom and Colette were finally reunited, they were both physically and emotionally exhausted. They had lost everything they had, and they had no idea what the future held. But even in the depths of their despair, they were determined to rebuild their lives and find a way to move forward.

The Road to Recovery

In the aftermath of the tsunami, Tom and Colette O'Neill found solace and strength in the community around them. They were taken in by a local family, who gave them food, clothing, and a place to stay. They also received support from other survivors, who shared their stories and offered words of encouragement.

With the help of their community, Tom and Colette began the long and difficult process of rebuilding their lives. They found new jobs, built a new home, and started a new family. But even as they moved forward, they never forgot the loved ones they had lost in the tsunami.

In 2009, Tom and Colette returned to Sri Lanka to visit the site of their former home. They were overwhelmed by emotions as they stood on the beach where they had lost everything. But they also found solace in knowing that they had survived and that they had found a new life in the wake of tragedy.

Strength in What Remains

Tracy Kidder's book, Strength in What Remains, is a powerful and moving account of the resilience of the human spirit. The O'Neills' story is a testament to the power of community and the indomitable will to survive. It is a story that will inspire and uplift readers for years to come.

In the words of Tracy Kidder, "The O'Neills' story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. And that even when everything is lost, there is always something left to build upon."

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think made Tom and Colette O'Neill so resilient in the face of such tragedy?
2. How did the community around Tom and Colette help them to rebuild their lives?
3. What do you think the O'Neills' story teaches us about the human spirit?
4. How can we apply the lessons we learn from the O'Neills' story to our own lives?
5. What are some other stories of resilience that you know?

Strength in What Remains

by Tracy Kidder

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2293 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	308 pages

FREE