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linzer712's review against another edition
2.0
Because of the subject matter, a young person's experiences of the Cambodian genocide under Khmer Rouge (which is, of course, so painful and important), I think it's hard to say that you "like" or "don't like" this novel, but I sure do wish I liked it more.
Patricia McCormick novel is based on Arn Chorn-Pond's experiences as a young boy thrust into incredibly trying situations as he is separated from his family, witnesses countless deaths, is forced to become a member of Khmer Rouge himself, and must find a way to survive. The story stretches over about five years of Chorn-Pond's life, and he experiences more than most could imagine in that time.
McCormick chose to write the novel from Chorn-Pond's perspective and in broken English with simple, fragmented sentences. For me, this is where the problem lies. The narrative style is completely matter-of-fact, devoid of much depth of emotion, and completely lacks any imagery, metaphor, or abstractions. Unfortunately, as a result, I had a very difficult time emotionally connecting with the novel, and this very short book became very difficult to read.
Arn Chorn-Pond's story is essential for people to know; however, I think I would prefer to hear it in his true voice and in his words.
Patricia McCormick novel is based on Arn Chorn-Pond's experiences as a young boy thrust into incredibly trying situations as he is separated from his family, witnesses countless deaths, is forced to become a member of Khmer Rouge himself, and must find a way to survive. The story stretches over about five years of Chorn-Pond's life, and he experiences more than most could imagine in that time.
McCormick chose to write the novel from Chorn-Pond's perspective and in broken English with simple, fragmented sentences. For me, this is where the problem lies. The narrative style is completely matter-of-fact, devoid of much depth of emotion, and completely lacks any imagery, metaphor, or abstractions. Unfortunately, as a result, I had a very difficult time emotionally connecting with the novel, and this very short book became very difficult to read.
Arn Chorn-Pond's story is essential for people to know; however, I think I would prefer to hear it in his true voice and in his words.
beths0103's review against another edition
3.0
This book was difficult to get through simply because the subject matter was so gruesome but it's definitely a story that needed to be told. The Holocaust is so often the genocide story we read about in school, but there are many other genocide stories that dot the landscape of world history that seem to be ignored. The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia is one such genocide that is only recently becoming more commonly known.
I categorized this book as historical fiction and nonfiction because it is one of those books that's difficult to tell, especially once you read the author's note at the end.
I categorized this book as historical fiction and nonfiction because it is one of those books that's difficult to tell, especially once you read the author's note at the end.
caitcoy's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books that I always wanted to get around to reading but was too intimidated by its subject matter. Never Fall Down is the story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a Cambodian boy who survived the Khmer Rouge regime by volunteering for a band that played propagandistic songs for both their fellow workers and the high ranking Khmer Rouge officials. Arn's story is every bit as heartbreaking as I was expecting but it's absolutely impossible to put down once you start it. The author, Patricia McCormick, did some serious research for this book and it absolutely shows. She interviewed Arn, many of the other survivors in the book and even went with him to Cambodia on visits to the areas he was in at the time. The narration can occasionally be difficult to follow because it mimicks Arn's voice in simple sentences and broken English but this made it seem more authentic to me and wasn't anything that bothered me. The best thing about Arn's story is how human it is. Arn took part in both heroic and horrific things and it makes your heart break to see what he and the other Cambodian kids went through during the genocide including forced marches, random killing, starvation, force labor and the eventual use of them as child soldiers. I'd recommend it mostly to older teens and adults simply because there's a lot of graphic brutality, as you would expect in a book about genocide. These kids were constantly surrounded by death and brutality and as Arn puts it, the only way to survive was to never fall down. It's absolutely a must read!
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely one of the saddest books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of sad books. The author explains at the end of the book that Arn Chorn-Pond is a real person and the story is largely based on what really happened to him. This book often made me think of [b:What Is the What|4952|What Is the What|Dave Eggers|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328837457s/4952.jpg|3271214] and [b:Beasts of No Nation|413177|Beasts of No Nation|Uzodinma Iweala|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348904704s/413177.jpg|1655801] and the recent Printz winner [b:In Darkness|11451112|In Darkness|Nick Lake|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329102541s/11451112.jpg|16385066]. They're all tragic stories told in the voice a boy whose struggles are pretty much unimaginable for most of us.
asimilarkite's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I'm not sure what to say about this book besides that. If you think you understand what happened in Cambodia in 1970s as a result of the Khmer Rouge, and you haven't read this book, think again. You cannot possibly know how numb you can feel after watching person after person murdered in front of you. How hungry you can be after eating only water with a little bit of rice in it for years. How terrifying it can be to have the only thing between you and death be not making a mistake on an instrument you've never played before. How bad you can feel about yourself after you realize that the only way to survive is to become a killer yourself.
While this is a novel, basically everything in this book is true, and really happened to Arn. I cannot even imagine how you can live through something like this and live on and have a normal life. Except I can, kind of, because I've read this book.
Not an easy thing to read, but highly highly recommended, especially to anyone studying this horrific event in history.
While this is a novel, basically everything in this book is true, and really happened to Arn. I cannot even imagine how you can live through something like this and live on and have a normal life. Except I can, kind of, because I've read this book.
Not an easy thing to read, but highly highly recommended, especially to anyone studying this horrific event in history.
evirae's review against another edition
3.0
This Book Was: Shocking, Eye-Opening, Heart-Breaking, A MUST-Read
Content Rating: Rated R for disturbing themes, abuse, murder and violence
Maturity Rating: High Maturity - Could be called "heavy reading," requires skilled reading comprehension and ability to endure some disturbing content.
Would I recommend it? -- Yes
Content Rating: Rated R for disturbing themes, abuse, murder and violence
Maturity Rating: High Maturity - Could be called "heavy reading," requires skilled reading comprehension and ability to endure some disturbing content.
Would I recommend it? -- Yes
kimmyp11's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly moving. Disturbing. Yet also triumphant. I thought McCormick did a great job capturing Arn's voice and illustrating the horrific scenes of the genocide he endured and somehow survived.
electrachet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
I know very little about the Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979 and the labor camps of the Khmer Rouge. But the horror and awful things humans will do to other humans - sometimes it's just too much to believe.
But this is an important story - and should be told Although it's hard to read, although it breaks your heart - it's important for that very reason. We should remind ourselves what others have done and remember the horror - so we never let it happen again.
This is an amazing story told from the POV of a young boy who sees and hears and lives through all the nightmare that is Khmer Rouge. I think this is the perfect way to tell this story to Young adults - because some of the horrors he witnesses he doesn't fully explain or comprehend. But as an adult reading it, ugh, this is...it's a tough book.
but I'm glad I read it.
But this is an important story - and should be told Although it's hard to read, although it breaks your heart - it's important for that very reason. We should remind ourselves what others have done and remember the horror - so we never let it happen again.
This is an amazing story told from the POV of a young boy who sees and hears and lives through all the nightmare that is Khmer Rouge. I think this is the perfect way to tell this story to Young adults - because some of the horrors he witnesses he doesn't fully explain or comprehend. But as an adult reading it, ugh, this is...it's a tough book.
but I'm glad I read it.