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bibliophile1019's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminded me of Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone not only in its topic, but its straightforward and matter-of-fact voice. The main character, Arn, is a child when the Khmer Rouge take him to the Killing Fields. Arn's attitude toward the terrible treatment he and the other refugees experience under the Khmer Rouge was simple: no matter what, never fall down. This attitude serves him well, and he eventually becomes a musician in a band before he is sent to the front lines to act as bait in the Khmer Rouge's fight against the Vietnamese. At first I was put off by the simplistic nature of Arn's voice, but once I was immersed in the story, I appreciated it. McCormick has a knack for telling powerful stories in a deceptively simple way, and Never Fall Down was no exception.
ihateava's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
sducharme's review against another edition
5.0
Horrific first person account of a Cambodian boy's survival during the mass genocide by the Khmer Rouge. The author tells his story as a novel but with his voice: lilting accent, bravado, and gut-wrenching fear.
emilyelisee's review against another edition
5.0
This book was...intense. I'm glad I discovered it here on GR, I don't recall ever learning about the Cambodian genocide or the Khmer Rouge in school. If I did it was only a small paragraph or a couple sentences in a book that hardly registered and went unremembered. I won't forget now. Arn's account (told through McCormick) of his years spent just trying to survive the labor camps, later being forced to become a child soldier, and many other cruelties suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge were chilling and eye opening.
avafink's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeously and brutally illustrates every aspect of humanity. The beautiful to the disgusting to the dispicable. The very best and the very worst.
Based off the first hand account of Arn-chorn-pond.
Written from first person and so masterfully that you at times almost feel like you may be right there with him. The voice McCormick uses in this text is as she puts it is Arn’s “distinct and beautiful voice” which truly as she says “captures the courageous and unforgettable person he is.” It makes this book unlike any I’ve read, Arn’s story will stick with me indefinitely. 5/5 stars doesn’t even begin to capture to capture how incredible this book is.
Based off the first hand account of Arn-chorn-pond.
Written from first person and so masterfully that you at times almost feel like you may be right there with him. The voice McCormick uses in this text is as she puts it is Arn’s “distinct and beautiful voice” which truly as she says “captures the courageous and unforgettable person he is.” It makes this book unlike any I’ve read, Arn’s story will stick with me indefinitely. 5/5 stars doesn’t even begin to capture to capture how incredible this book is.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=5657
When I started Never Fall Down, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I began it because Ricki recommended it to me, but I didn’t read the back or have any prior knowledge about the book. So, when I began, I had no idea how tough this book was going to be.
I also have to preface with my ignorance of the Cambodian Genocide. I blame my lack of world history education because this is a time of history that should be taught. It, along with the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide, was based in racism and the attempt to purify a country. Reading Arn’s story throws you right in the middle of the genocide, and Patricia McCormick doesn’t hold anything back. Every time you think nothing can get worse for Arn and the Cambodians, something does, but you also have such hope for Arn’s survival as you seen him overcome every obstacle he faces. Even though death actually stares him in the face throughout the book, this young boy somehow continues. He continues through starvation, excessive work, lack of sleep, and murder surrounding him. Arn stated in interviews with McCormick that music saved his life, but I think it was more about his willingness to do whatever was needed to survive and especially anything to help those he cared for to survive.
Patricia McCormick tells our story in a broken English dialect that was influenced by “Arn’s own beautiful, improvised English” that McCormick heard in her head after interviewing him and traveling with him to Cambodia over a couple of years. The extent that Ms. McCormick went to ensure that Arn’s story was a true representation of his trials and heroism is honorable.
When I started Never Fall Down, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I began it because Ricki recommended it to me, but I didn’t read the back or have any prior knowledge about the book. So, when I began, I had no idea how tough this book was going to be.
I also have to preface with my ignorance of the Cambodian Genocide. I blame my lack of world history education because this is a time of history that should be taught. It, along with the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide, was based in racism and the attempt to purify a country. Reading Arn’s story throws you right in the middle of the genocide, and Patricia McCormick doesn’t hold anything back. Every time you think nothing can get worse for Arn and the Cambodians, something does, but you also have such hope for Arn’s survival as you seen him overcome every obstacle he faces. Even though death actually stares him in the face throughout the book, this young boy somehow continues. He continues through starvation, excessive work, lack of sleep, and murder surrounding him. Arn stated in interviews with McCormick that music saved his life, but I think it was more about his willingness to do whatever was needed to survive and especially anything to help those he cared for to survive.
Patricia McCormick tells our story in a broken English dialect that was influenced by “Arn’s own beautiful, improvised English” that McCormick heard in her head after interviewing him and traveling with him to Cambodia over a couple of years. The extent that Ms. McCormick went to ensure that Arn’s story was a true representation of his trials and heroism is honorable.
laura_m_j's review against another edition
5.0
I must like stories of genocide because I read so many of them. The Khmer Rouge seemed to be ruthless just for the sake of being ruthless. I don't really understand their political objective except to over turn the status quo.
This account, retold by Patricia Mccormick, is about one amazing survivor, a young boy named Arn, who has spent his life after leaving Cambodia in 1979, speaking about the Khmer Rouge and promoting traditional Cambodia music, which nearly died out as the educated were exterminate.
Our sophomores research genocide and man's inhumanity to man each year, and this would be a great book to include in the study.
This account, retold by Patricia Mccormick, is about one amazing survivor, a young boy named Arn, who has spent his life after leaving Cambodia in 1979, speaking about the Khmer Rouge and promoting traditional Cambodia music, which nearly died out as the educated were exterminate.
Our sophomores research genocide and man's inhumanity to man each year, and this would be a great book to include in the study.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished reading Barbara Ward's review, and I can't help but agree that Patricia McCormick illuminates stories that are often untold. This is the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, who is now a powerful human rights activist. I had not heard his story before this book, and I can confidently say that I will never forget it.
This title can be appreciated by audiences of all ages, and while Arn is only eleven years old when the harrowing tale begins, I am not sure if all readers of his age could handle the horrid acts of violence. The book gave me terrible nightmares, so I can imagine it might be very traumatizing for a child who is not ready to handle the content yet.
Written in broken English, McCormick sheds light on the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s--the largest act of genocide of a country against its own people. Arn is separated from his family and works in the "Killing Fields," where he bears witness to the dark side of man. Arn's story will stay with me forever.
This title can be appreciated by audiences of all ages, and while Arn is only eleven years old when the harrowing tale begins, I am not sure if all readers of his age could handle the horrid acts of violence. The book gave me terrible nightmares, so I can imagine it might be very traumatizing for a child who is not ready to handle the content yet.
Written in broken English, McCormick sheds light on the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s--the largest act of genocide of a country against its own people. Arn is separated from his family and works in the "Killing Fields," where he bears witness to the dark side of man. Arn's story will stay with me forever.
rvarghese's review against another edition
5.0
Intense read - very graphic and authentic first-person narrative tracking a young boy's journey through the war in Cambodia and even life as a refugee in America. It was hard to swallow at times and gripping. It probably wasn't my most favorite book ever, but another timely, challenging read that was well-written.