I don’t know when I was last moved by a novel as I have been by In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner which releases tomorrow by Simon & Schuster. The novel is based on the author’s own experiences during a time when Khmer Rouge regime committed horrific things to the people of Cambodia. This novel shook me to my core and I can’t stop thinking about it – the horror of how people were treated and what they lived through. What shines through in every page though is the resilience of the human spirit and the love of family no matter the circumstances.
This story is told through the eyes of seven year old Raami as her safe and comfortable life is turned upside down. When Raami learns that a war has overtaken her world she really doesn’t understand. What she does understand though and feels is her parent’s fear and uncertainty. When they are ordered from their home with very few belongings Raami is terrified. She can never begin to imagine the life that is ahead of her. Over the next four years she faces things that most of us can’t imagine. Her life is very uncertain and horrifying but the one thing that she keeps falling back on is her father’s words to her that she can soar above anything and get past it to a better life. This novel, although told through the eyes of a child is disturbing but I think so important too. This is a heartbreaking story, that, being based on truth, makes you think of this time in history that should never be forgotten for all the people that were lost which was one to two million.
What really hit me about this story is that the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia was between the years of 1975-1979. I was nine years old and to this day had no idea this was going on. To think that I was living my life day to day while people were suffering so much really hurts me deeply. Nobody should have to live through the atrocities that the Cambodian people lived through but the children is what affected me the most. To lose their parents, family, friends and then be put put to work and starved. Well I can’t imagine it and wouldn’t want to but my heart goes out to each and every one who has ever lived through any such thing.
The author said that she wanted to write this book to give voice to the memory of her father who she lost and to all those who were silenced in this horror. I commend her for bravery in reliving this horror to put this story out there. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel. To read it makes you value even more how you grew up and what you have now. I cried when I turned the last page on this book knowing how deeply it affected me. It is without a doubt an excellent and beautifully written novel.
I would like to end the review with a quote from the author’s note:
“For all the loss an tragedy I have known, my life has taught me that the human spirit, like the lifted hands of the blind, will rise above chaos and destruction, as wings in flight.’ (author’s note, uncorrected proof – final copy may be different)
Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. No compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
A wonderful review, Dar. It is amazing what goes on outside our “world”, especially the unimaginable horrors of war. This book also sounds like a wonderful book for a book club discussion. Thanks for sharing it!
Suzanne
I recently read a memoir, First They Killed My Father, about the same thing and it made a big impact on me. I’m embarrassed to say I was in college the years of 1975 to 1979 and was too self involved to worry about the rest of the world. I’m really anxious to read this book.
Khmer Rouge is a subject that interests me… particularly in the time following the Vietnam War. I think this book is important for us to read…given the subject matter…which many of us know little about.
Thanks for again reminding me I need to find a copy of this book.
Have you read this interview with the author? It is very insightful: http://publishingperspectives.com/2012/08/a-cambodian-genocide-survivors-long-journey-into-fiction/
I have never reading anything about it so yes I would be interested
This sounds *amazing*! Have you read Camilla Gibb’s Beauty of the Humanity Movement? It’s not enormously similar (hers is set in Vietnam) but it sounds like there’s overlap in terms of the lovely storytelling and tensions, horrors in the story. I’m so getting this one!
This is a book that I have been wanting to read, and have been thinking about for some time. It is a sad story, but one that needs to be told. It sounds like it is very moving, and you have captured the intense spirit in this review. Great job, Dar.
A very nice review. I’ve just checked my library and they have this book ordered so I’m really looking forward to reading it.
I read the same book that Kathy talked about, and the atrocities are shocking. Just horrible. For some added insight, you should see the movie “The Killing Fields”. It is an amazing movie, and based on a true story. Bring the tissues for that one.
These are important books and I am glad there are writers willing to write them. I just finished two on the Holocaust, one fiction and the other non.
This sounds like such a worthwhile read. Thanks for mentioning it today.
I’m not surprised that you were not aware of it at the age of 9. Back then, there wasn’t much coverage of international news. Not like today where we comes across it on Twitter, etc. My son knows more about world news today than I ever did at his age.
I wasn’t aware of this time period either, Dar. But I must read this book to hear her story and to tell other people about what she lived through. I’m pretty sure that another blogger listened to this one on audio and I put it on my audible.com list. I might listen to it but either way, I will be reading it!
I’m glad you reviewed this one — because I had it on my TBR list. Good to know it’s a very good read. thanks!