Ghost Mountain
What started off as a win from Goodreads turned out to be an emotional story oh which I was not prepared for.
Synopsis
Forced from his home by the Khmer Rouge, teenager Mae Taing struggles to endure years of backbreaking work, constant starvation, and ruthless cruelty from his captors—supposed freedom fighters who turned against their own people. Mae risks torture and death to escape into the dark tropical jungles, trekking across a relentless wilderness crawling with soldiers.
When Mae is able to overcome unthinkable odds in the hopes of reuniting with his family, fate takes cruel turn as he flees war-torn Cambodia. He becomes trapped as a refugee with thousands of others on the ancient temple mountain, Preah Vihear, a place surrounded by countless deadly landmines. Caught up in the terror once more, it is only his willpower to survive and dreams of a better country that give Mae the strength to face the dangers ahead.
From Goodreads.
Thoughts
Under the Naga Tail is a book that I was not emotionally prepared to read. I went from being excited about winning a Goodreads giveaway to a feeling of being overwhelmed in a very short period of time.
If you have read books like Night by Elie Wiesel, or really anything about the Holocaust, then that should give you a hint about what this story is like. Mae Bunseng Taing and his family endured suffering unlike anything I could imagine and most likely anything that I could have survived.
The utter disregard for human life and basic decency is a prevailing theme, yet, it is a story of redemption and survival. The entire time reading the story I could not help but question my ability to survive such an ordeal. There is a large part of me that does not feel as if I would have been as strong to make it out alive.
These stories are so important to capture and preserve. I’m embarrassed to admit that I knew nothing of this, but thanks to this story being told, I am not only aware but have the ability to pass this along to others so they can learn as well.
Documentary
“The Cambodian genocide took the lives of up to three million people - between 1975 and 1979. Many were forced to work at labor camps where they faced abuse, torture and starvation.
But this is only part one of the story. The lesser known part is the story of Preah Vihear Mountain, where over forty thousand refugees were forced to climb to their death.”
Source: Connecticut Public
After reading this book, I saw that a documentary had been filmed. Though only 45 minutes in length, it packs quite a punch. One of my favorite aspects about reading non-fiction is the ability to find photos and videos of the actual events that took place. This makes the stories far more personal and powerful. Mae Bunseng Taing returns to “Ghost Mountain” an area that cannot be fully explored due to the number of land mines still buried there. It is emotional but important to watch.
What the documentary for free via NPR.
Explore Further
Explore more books on Khmer Rouge on Goodreads.
Khmer Rouge, genocide museum &killing field tour via Trip Advisor