First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

Reviews

Books & Ameerah

Luong's book is a difficult read but also an incredibly important one. This book floored me. Now living as part of a society that murders its citizens for being intellectuals, professionals and ethnic minorities, Luong and her family must hide their true identities in a desperate effort to survive. Thankfully she does escape and has been able to share her harrowing and brave story with the world.

The Cambodian Genocide is not one you learn about in schools or often hear people mention when they are asked to recall genocides that have happened in the 20th century, but it should be. I had to often remind myself that what I am reading is a recollection of factual events and not fiction because they were so horrific and described humanity it is utmost cruellest form. She takes us along on her journey as a young girl living in opulence and stability, ripped away from everything she knows and thrown into a world of unrelenting violence and torture, totally void of any compassion and mercy. Books like this fill in the gaps of history that would have been either forgotten or erased over time.

And if she does, how will she be able to live a normal life after witnessing the atrocities she did. The Khmer Rouge aimed to establish a classless communist state based on a rural agrarian economy and a complete rejection of the free market and capitalism. This resulted in the abolishment of money, religious practices, places of worship and schools.

Anything that signified they were 'impure' would have cost them their lives and the Khmer Rouge did not extend any mercy to children. Universities and government buildings were either closed or turned into reeducation camps and prisons. There is a constant sense of hopelessness whilst reading and thinking about how this young girl will not only survive but escape a ruthless regime.

We see the story unfold through Luong's eyes, starting as a 5-year-old.