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aylakay851's review
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Finally, a graphic novel telling the story that needs to be told. Having been to Cambodia, seen the killing fields, seen S-21, seen the pain, the skeletons… this truly feels like it was told by someone who is from Cambodia. From my experience, the Khmer people just want to forget. This book helps tell the story, a great first step. But I know that they need true healing, which is coming with time. Cambodia had a fantastic culture and people. I only hope that more stories come forward for a communal healing and the people continue to move forward in a healthy way. Great cartooning and great book.
koreanlinda's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
My usual limit of star ratings for a comic book is 4.0, but this one scored 4.75. This is one of the most condensed historical account told in graphic novel. It reminded me of Persepolis, but this book is even denser.
The book is filled with terror committed by Khmer Rouge page after page. It was so unbearable for me to witness the atrocity, even in drawings, that I had to take frequent breaks throughout the read. I'm very glad I read it though because I learned a lot about the painful history of Cambodia, which I knew very little before. The book is also filled with acts of kindness. Even in the most scary state of situations, kind people share what they have and help in the ways they can. The story wrecks your faith in humanity over and over while it also brings it back to you over and over. I strongly recommend this book to all people, especially students who are learning modern history of Cambodia or Asia at large.
Review by Linda (she/they) in Oct 2023
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
The book is filled with terror committed by Khmer Rouge page after page. It was so unbearable for me to witness the atrocity, even in drawings, that I had to take frequent breaks throughout the read. I'm very glad I read it though because I learned a lot about the painful history of Cambodia, which I knew very little before. The book is also filled with acts of kindness. Even in the most scary state of situations, kind people share what they have and help in the ways they can. The story wrecks your faith in humanity over and over while it also brings it back to you over and over. I strongly recommend this book to all people, especially students who are learning modern history of Cambodia or Asia at large.
Review by Linda (she/they) in Oct 2023
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Genocide, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Slavery, War, Trafficking, and Police brutality
dananana's review
dark
emotional
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Violence, and War