In the Shadow of the Banyan - Vaddey Ratner

[Jane B]

This is a heart wrenching story of just one family torn apart by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia during the 1970s. Their story is told through Raami, 7 years old when the family is ousted from their home in Phnom Penh. This is a book that will stay with you. The story of what happened in Cambodia during the Pol Pot regime is shocking and heart breaking. Vaddey Ratner in an afterword says that Raami's story is essentially her own and that she chose to fictionalise her story because her...'purpose was to honour the lives lost and to endeavour to turn suffering into art.' She has succeeded, this is a beautiful and graceful book.

[Merilyn]

Great to hear from you Jane it has been a while. This is on my too read list.