Loung Ung's First They Killed My Father provides a harrowing account of her childhood under the Khmer Rouge regime. Praised for its vivid, honest portrayal and emotional depth, it effectively immerses readers in the tragedies and resilience of a survivor. However, some critics find its narrative style occasionally inconsistent. An essential yet challenging read about human endurance.

Readers who were captivated by The Diary of Anne Frank or Night will find First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung equally compelling. This memoir appeals to those interested in survival stories, historical accounts of war, and personal narratives about resilience in the face of terror.

First They Killed My Father is a memoir by Loung Ung recounting her experiences and survival during the Cambodian genocide under Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. The story follows young Loung and her family's struggles as they are forced to leave Phnom Penh, endure various labor camps, and face the horrific deaths of family members. During the Khmer Rouge reign, Ung is separated from her family, encounters extreme hardships, and eventually escapes to a Thai refugee camp before resettling in America with her brother Meng. The book contains descriptions of genocide, starvation, and death.

Dark / Mysterious / Emotional / Challenging / Melancholic

Loung Ung

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Daughter of Cambodia

Nonfiction

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First They Killed My Father Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

First They Killed My Father Chapters 1-2 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 3-6

First They Killed My Father Chapters 3-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-11

First They Killed My Father Chapters 7-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-14

First They Killed My Father Chapters 12-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-18

First They Killed My Father Chapters 15-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-24

First They Killed My Father Chapters 19-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 25-Epilogue

First They Killed My Father Chapter 25-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Introduction

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Before Reading

First They Killed My Father Before Reading

During Reading

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After Reading

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First They Killed My Father

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