The Khmer Rouge was a radical Communist regime in Cambodia (1975 - 1979). They herded the entire population of Cambodia into work camps in the countryside, the Killing Fields. One in four people died during this horrific genocide.
April 1975
Arn Chorn Pond is 11 years old. He lives in Cambodia. His family used to be wealthy and educated, but since his father's death, they live in poverty. Arn and his two sisters and younger brother live with their aunt.
April 1975. Thousands and thousands of people are marching by the city on the main road. They carry various baggage as they trudge along. The men in the Jeeps blast their message:
"We are Khmer Rouge," they say. "We are Red Cambodia."
The Khmer Rouge say that the Americans are coming to bomb the city. Everyone needs to leave the city for three days.
Arn and his family join the parade. Marching for days, Arn becomes accustomed to death and he starts to learn the truth about the Khmer Rouge.
I learn a lesson already. Be invisible around these Khmer Rouge guys.
Finally Arn and his family arrive at their destination. A field. Everyone is expected to give information to the Khmer Rouge about their neighbors. No one is safe.
"Now you grow rice," they say. "We all the same now. No more elite. Even city people have to grow rice."
People can no longer own any personal belongings. Everything belongs to the Angka now. There is no need for money, education, shopping, or religion. Listen closely and obey because the Angka has many eyes.
"In Cambodia, now it's Year Zero."
New work units are created and Arn's family is divided. He is forced to move away from everyone he knows and loves.
"No crying," my aunt says, very strict. "You cry only in your mind."
"Do whatever they say," she whisper. "Be like the grass. Bend low, bend low, then bend lower. The wind blow one way, you bow that way. It blow the other way, you do, too. That is the way to survive."
Never Fall Down is a gripping emotional novel that is based on the life of Arn Chorn Pond. It is raw and gritty and impossible to put down.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
*graphic violence, language, sex
