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mandaoof's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was going to originally say that the book would be three stars. It is written with broken English from the perspective of a child in Cambodia trying to survive the Khmer Rouge. What I do love about the book, is that the book was written after the author spent two years with the man who the book is based off of, retelling his story. The book was written with respect and was good at conveying the horrible situations that the author had to survive during the genocide.
My biggest critique, one I will readily rescind if the man who the story is based off of thinks it is better this way, is the fact the book is written with broken English. The survivor did not learn English until in his teens, and I am leaning towards the train of thought of a writing style that shows the character youth as it already does, but does not mimic how he perhaps would have sounded when still learning the language.
I decided to raise the rating after reading the acknowledgements and epilogue, showing how much effort was put into telling the story, and how the survivor had been involved in the retelling. I suppose I'm simply curious about the artistic decision to use broken English as a way to convey the story, versus using the language style a child would witnessing and surviving these horrors in their native tongue, creating perhaps less of a barrier between the reader and the book.
Additionally, there really is no holding back on the graphic content. It would be next to impossible to convey all of the content warnings. Just a heads up.
My biggest critique, one I will readily rescind if the man who the story is based off of thinks it is better this way, is the fact the book is written with broken English. The survivor did not learn English until in his teens, and I am leaning towards the train of thought of a writing style that shows the character youth as it already does, but does not mimic how he perhaps would have sounded when still learning the language.
I decided to raise the rating after reading the acknowledgements and epilogue, showing how much effort was put into telling the story, and how the survivor had been involved in the retelling. I suppose I'm simply curious about the artistic decision to use broken English as a way to convey the story, versus using the language style a child would witnessing and surviving these horrors in their native tongue, creating perhaps less of a barrier between the reader and the book.
Additionally, there really is no holding back on the graphic content. It would be next to impossible to convey all of the content warnings. Just a heads up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Murder, Trafficking, and War
Moderate: Rape
jammy09's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, and Genocide
kmbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is very sad and made me go through an emotional roller coaster. I had to read this book for school and glad I did because it gave me perspective. I’m not one for devastating books like this but did find it quite interesting. I would recommend this book for 15 year olds and up and people that want to learn about Cambodia’s history.
The book does have a happy ending which I’m very glad about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Cannibalism, Death, Genocide, and Hate crime
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Rape and Bullying
frauleinbunny's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Slavery, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Genocide, Excrement, Emotional abuse, Death, Child death, Cannibalism, Blood, and Animal death
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