This is one of the most important, haunting memoirs I have read. Under The Naga Tail tells the true story of Mae Taing’s fight to survive during the Cambodian genocide. During the rule of the Khmer Rouge, minorities, including Chinese people, were targeted. Mae himself is half Chinese, half Cambodian. From the moment he is forced to leave his home, Mae must endure some of the cruelest parts of humanity from the infamous Killing Fields of Pol Pot’s Cambodia to facing death as a refugee in Thailand. This was one of the most difficult books I’ve read because of the haunting content, I had to space reading out over a month. Shamefully, I knew little to nothing about the genocide before this book and I’m very grateful BookishFirst sent me a copy. Under The Naga Tail was written by Mae’s son, often in his own words. Readers be advised that all dialogue in this book is not to standard novel quality. However, this does not reduce the book’s importance or message. Rather, it shows how painfully impactful these events have stayed in Mae’s memories. 5/5. 6/5 if ever it were possible.