A really good read; absorbing, and emotional. I've not seen the film or read the original newspaper articles but I will try to now. The 2 main characters you get to know very well and connect with them. It does read quite like a film, in the sense that there is a lot of dialogue and plot rather than descriptions. The brutality of the Khmer Rouge and

the suffering of Dith is eviceral. The final reunification of Sydney and Dith is extremely moving and the resolution of sydneys unjustified guilt is inspirational

. Its an extremely moving book and the fact it's largely true makes it even more intense - 4*

2nd Read

This stood up to a second read brilliantly and I think I enjoyed it even more the second time than the first. I've still not watched the film but I will probably read this a third time later. I've upped the rating to 4.5 as I can't find much at fault with the book. I really want to read more about Cambodia and visit the country now to see how far it's come since these terrible times.