In The House at Sugar Beach (2008), author Helene Cooper takes a look at the troubled and violent past of Liberia, the country which she hails from. Particularly, she examines the effects of the 1980 military coup d'état had on her country. Partly autobiographical, The House at Sugar Beach also details the effect the coup had on Helene and her family. It also chronicles parts of her life, culminating in her near-death experience in 2003 in Iraq.
At release, The House at Sugar Beach received rapturously positive reviews and received a number of awards. Kirkus Reviews called the book "Elegant and eloquent, and full of news from places about which we know too little." Publisher's Weekly thought similarly, writing that the book is "compelling" and "fascinating." However, they also cautioned that parts of the book felt a little "flat."
A film version of the book is currently being developed. Alicia Keys has expressed interest in starring the film all the way back in 2011. No further information has been announced.
