One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung's family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed.
Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.
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"I don't even know where to begin with this book except to say it's a truly amazing account of one woman's tragic story of her life during the years of Khmer Rouge tyranny in Cambodia. One of my best friends lived through this and none of us can ever really imagine what life, if you could call it that, was like for millions of Cambodians who survived this horrific era. Be sure to have a box of tissues, or two, handy."
— Tanya (5 out of 5 stars)
“Ung relates her experience in the present tense, and Tavia Gilbert takes us on that journey with a superb performance that includes a myriad of emotions—from audible crying to fear and anger…[and] she certainly captures the emotional experience.”
— AudioFileUng's memoir should serve as a reminder that some history is best not left just to historians but to those left standing when the terror ends.
— Booklist Starred Review“It’s a tough read, but definitely a worthwhile one, and the author’s personality and strength shine through on every page.”
— Amazon.com“A harrowing true story of the nightmare world that was Cambodia in those terrible times of mass murder and slow death through overwork, starvation, and disease. Will affect even readers who cannot find Ungs homeland on a map.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Ung’s memoir should serve as a reminder that some history is best not left just to historians but to those left standing when the terror ends.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Skillfully constructed, this account also stands as an eyewitness history of the period, because as a child Ung was so aware of her surroundings and because as an adult writer she adds details to clarify the family’s moves and separations.”
— Publishers Weekly" I felt like I was with this girl, this is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever listened to or would read. My heart will forever be next to this girl, and her poor family and the people of Cambodia. "
— Frank Mathis , 10/6/2017" Oh my gosh, so good!!! I LOVED it. "
— Nicole, 2/16/2014" Great book. Learned about what really did occur in Cambodia from a child perspective during Khmer Rouge. "
— Corinna, 2/10/2014" I read this book a number of years ago but still remember so much of it. It is a good introduction to what happened in Cambodia under Pol Pot, written from a child's viewpoint and memories. "
— To, 2/10/2014" Wow. I learned a lot from this book. Loung Ung has done a terrific job in recreating the dreadful condition Cambodia was left in after the American evacuation of Vietnam. "
— Scott, 2/7/2014" I think that my favorite part about this book is that although the author is writing about her memories as a 5-9 year old, she still has such vivid ones. And she writes as a child would write, with simple yet powerful descriptions to make it horrifying and real. I think this would be a good one to have in a Holocaust Lit class, or to use in studying memoirs. "
— Lauren, 1/28/2014" this was sooo sad!! im scarred for life! really good book! "
— Hanyah, 1/27/2014" Not the most subtly or artfully written book (and what's with some of the typos?), but there's no denying the power and importance of the story. I'm looking forward to using this one again in book clubs next year. "
— Pei, 1/24/2014" extremely heart wrenching but amazing story. "
— Gabriella, 1/20/2014" A fantastic travel book, giving you a personal and moving account of Pol Pots genocide. War and famine from the eyes of a child. "
— Issi, 12/26/2013" Incredible story! I read this while traveling in Cambodia and its really came alive! "
— Tori, 11/28/2013" Very difficult book to read. Had to set it down several times. Sad, intense, overwhelming....you name it. "
— Tamara, 11/7/2013" Another survivor's incredible journey. This is about the author's time from 6 - 10 years old. She saw and remembers with clarity the horrors of Cambodian killing fields. "
— Fran, 7/19/2013" Unforgettable story of middle class Cambodians forced into hard labor and starvation by the Khmer Rouge. Honest and heart-wrenching. Photos were helpful and interesting. "
— Elise, 4/12/2013" Absolutely incredible... I learned so much about the recent history of Cambodia I hadn't known before. Her story is heart-breaking and moving. Her strength is unbelievable. "
— Cassie, 4/3/2013" A very moving,memoir. It really brings Cambodia alive. Highly recommended. "
— Cat, 3/3/2013" This book is a powerful memoir of Camboda's revolution. It is a difficult read, as the author is terribly hungry and loses much of her family. However, it gives a strong, child's eye view of the revolution. "
— Jana, 12/9/2012" So sad and unbelievable that this happen and not that long ago. Such an amazing story of how a small girl survived. Be ready for a reality check. "
— Aimee, 7/5/2012" I question certain aspects of this book...definitely moving but not for me. "
— S_saleh, 12/3/2011" Pol Pot destroys girl's family. Girl joins Red Army. Girl eventually escapes Red Army and lets world know that both Pol Pot and land mines suck. Pretty depressing. "
— Daisy, 8/23/2011" This is not exactly a fun read, but it is very worthwhile. Granted, the fact that I just returned from Cambodia made it particularly relevant for me. Hearing all the details from that horrible time had a sobering effect that drove home the reality of the events in a way my trip did not. "
— Zak, 7/24/2011" once again, not sure how someone can live through something like this, but a gripping tale indeed it was. "
— Teresa, 7/19/2011" Amazing first person account. It's haunting. I find myself thinking about Loung and wonder how she's doing... reflecting on her story and how she's managed to cope. Of course, it's not just her. Millions of Cambodians lived through that nightmare. "
— Vicky, 7/7/2011" Absolutely loved this book. A quick read that taught me a lot about the Khmer Rouge and the Pol Pot Regime in the 1970s. Informational and truly a moving story. "
— Rashmi, 6/22/2011" I found this book pretty riveting after about the 1st 10 pages. Especially since it is a true story. "
— Unc, 6/22/2011" such a sad story. cried a few times but it was very good! "
— Shelby, 6/18/2011" reminds you that u are lucky to be alive ... "
— Shazia, 6/11/2011" A remarkable story of perseverance. Ung writes vividly yet succinctly. "
— Kristin, 6/7/2011" A memoir of child's life in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. Learned more about the genocide in Cambodia in this book than I ever learned in school. "
— Denelle, 5/30/2011" Was a very poigniant, and often painful read. Told from the point of view of a 5-7 year old child, alternately inspiring and devastating. am starting to sequel, Lucky Child, ASAP! "
— Rosa, 5/29/2011" This woman's account of what she and her fellow Cambodians went through was literally traumatizing to read about. Very powerful and disheartening. Good read<br/><br/> "
— Erica, 5/25/2011" There are certain books where "style" is an obscenity - this book's truth outshines its minor writing flaws. "
— Ron, 5/24/2011" I will be meeting this author in October at the Women Like Us tea at the Columbia Club. "
— Deanna, 5/24/2011" A really heart-wrenching novel about this poor little girls story through the Khmer Rouge. What a nasty and horrible time for these poor people. So hard to believe that happened in my lifetime. Horrible. Great book though. "
— Amanda, 5/21/2011" This is a true story about a family facing the life under the Khmer Rouge, in Cambodia during 1975. It holds a very special place in my heart due to the fact that Jacklyn was adopted from Cambodia. Even still ...i would give this book 5 stars! "
— Joan, 5/20/2011Loung Ung is a national spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, a program of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, and the author of First They Killed My Father and Lucky Child.
Tavia Gilbert is an acclaimed narrator of more than four hundred full-cast and multivoice audiobooks for virtually every publisher in the industry. Named the 2018 Voice of Choice by Booklist magazine, she is also winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She has earned numerous Earphones Awards, a Voice Arts Award, and a Listen-Up Award. Audible.com has named her a Genre-Defining Narrator: Master of Memoir. In addition to voice acting, she is an accomplished producer, singer, and theater actor. She is also a producer, singer, photographer, and a writer, as well as the cofounder of a feminist publishing company, Animal Mineral.