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amandasbookreview 's review for:
Beautiful Hero: How We Survived the Khmer Rouge
by Jennifer H. Lau
I won this book on Goodreads as a giveaway. So thank you to the author and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book.
Beautiful Hero: How We Survived the Khmer Rouge by Jennifer H Lau is a memoir about her young life in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. She was 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975. The author’s mother, Meiyeng, is the center of the story. They were evacuated from their home and placed in camps. Any wrong move could result in their death. They were severely punished for anything and risked starving to death or dying of thirst. Meiyeng took great risks to ensure her family’s survival. She was firm and often referred to as “stone-hearted.” However, as the author closely studied her mother, she realized she acted this way purely for the survival of her family. She also led her family to escape to Thailand, where they had to endure the dangers of the jungle. Even though they survive, they carry the scars and nightmares from there journey every day.
The Khmer Rouge murdered a quarter of the population of Cambodia. Their atrocities were unfathomable. As I sit down to write this review, I really don’t have to words to express my feelings about this book. It ripped my heart out and then stepped on it, put it back, then ripped it out a few more times. I did study a little bit of this history in college. However, if I didn’t have friends that currently live in Cambodia working at an orphanage, I wouldn’t know the severity of these events and how they still impact life in Cambodia.
This memoir should be a requirement to read in high school or college. The way the author discusses their life during these events is clear and raw. She also discusses many themes like tyranny and democracy, life and death. She goes into great detail. Some details may be difficult to read and they are extremely graphic. There is so much suffering and death from all ages. I think it is necessary too. This is a part of history that we can’t forget. I can’t tell you how many times I had to put this book down because I had tears streaming down my face.
Throughout the pain and suffering, I kept thinking, “Humans are terrible. Why do we do this to each other?” But the strength and courage of the family shine through. Bravo. This book needs to be read by everyone. This book deserves more than 5 stars.
Beautiful Hero: How We Survived the Khmer Rouge by Jennifer H Lau is a memoir about her young life in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. She was 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975. The author’s mother, Meiyeng, is the center of the story. They were evacuated from their home and placed in camps. Any wrong move could result in their death. They were severely punished for anything and risked starving to death or dying of thirst. Meiyeng took great risks to ensure her family’s survival. She was firm and often referred to as “stone-hearted.” However, as the author closely studied her mother, she realized she acted this way purely for the survival of her family. She also led her family to escape to Thailand, where they had to endure the dangers of the jungle. Even though they survive, they carry the scars and nightmares from there journey every day.
The Khmer Rouge murdered a quarter of the population of Cambodia. Their atrocities were unfathomable. As I sit down to write this review, I really don’t have to words to express my feelings about this book. It ripped my heart out and then stepped on it, put it back, then ripped it out a few more times. I did study a little bit of this history in college. However, if I didn’t have friends that currently live in Cambodia working at an orphanage, I wouldn’t know the severity of these events and how they still impact life in Cambodia.
This memoir should be a requirement to read in high school or college. The way the author discusses their life during these events is clear and raw. She also discusses many themes like tyranny and democracy, life and death. She goes into great detail. Some details may be difficult to read and they are extremely graphic. There is so much suffering and death from all ages. I think it is necessary too. This is a part of history that we can’t forget. I can’t tell you how many times I had to put this book down because I had tears streaming down my face.
Throughout the pain and suffering, I kept thinking, “Humans are terrible. Why do we do this to each other?” But the strength and courage of the family shine through. Bravo. This book needs to be read by everyone. This book deserves more than 5 stars.