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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
The story of the Cambodian genocide told sparingly and "matter-of-factly" by a young boy whose family is imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge. After his family is split up into prison work camps and stripped of their possessions and their dignity, Arn is first selected as a musician and then as a child soldier, thereby increasing his chance for survival through his talent and through violence. I didn't even realize that this was a true story, a fictionalized memoir of a living man, until halfway through the book, which eventually leads you to discover that he survives and is adopted by an American family. The length of this book is short, but it is incredibly deep and it will not let you forget what you have read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very haunting and sad. I have actually never heard of Khmer Rouge or the Cambodian genocide, but I'm glad I got the chance to read this story.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
This was a very difficult book to read because of its subject matter. I had a little knowledge about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, but reading about it from the voice of a child was heartbreaking. If you decide to read this young adult novel, it does end well.
One of the saddest books I've ever read. McCormick does an excellent job of telling the story from within her young narrator's head and apparently (according to the man whose experience it is based on) captures his experience faithfully. But I will have trouble encouraging any of my students to read it. Just too sad and awful, even more so than a memoir like A Long Way Gone, which addresses similar territory.