Whoa, what a harrowing journey! I can't even imagine surviving the horrific time the Cambodians went though under the rule of the Khmer Rouge Regime. Reading, "Under the Naga Tail", the first hand account of Mae Bunseng Taing, as told to his son, James Taing, of his experience in the Cambodian genocide years, brought an awareness that I didn't have. (I was in junior high school at the time with not a care in the world. I had no idea this was going on.)
The story is told so well, with details that the reader can see the sites, imagine the smells, hear the sounds and feel the terror. My heart goes out to all the suffered.
I enjoy reading autobiographies and this one didn't disappoint. The story is so graphic at times that I had to put it down a couple of times, so I wouldn't have nightmares. So, I totally understand why Mae had to stop telling the story too; especially since he was reliving it.
Hats off to Mae, for being able to retell the story, and to his son, that knew the story needed to be told. This book should be mandatory reading to all high schoolers.
The story is told so well, with details that the reader can see the sites, imagine the smells, hear the sounds and feel the terror. My heart goes out to all the suffered.
I enjoy reading autobiographies and this one didn't disappoint. The story is so graphic at times that I had to put it down a couple of times, so I wouldn't have nightmares. So, I totally understand why Mae had to stop telling the story too; especially since he was reliving it.
Hats off to Mae, for being able to retell the story, and to his son, that knew the story needed to be told. This book should be mandatory reading to all high schoolers.