Reviewer: Gretchen Fronk
Published: 2023
Series: N/A
Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Asia, Biography, History, Survival
Grade Levels: N/A
Content Warnings: violence, PTSD, war, genocide
Goodreads Link: Under the Naga Tail
Publisher’s Summary:
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.
This gripping and inspiring memoir, written with Mae’s son, James, is not merely an incredible story of survival, but a testament to the human spirit’s capacity in us all to endure and prevail in spite of great adversity. Under the Naga Tail will find its place among the most epic true stories of personal triumph.
Review:
This was quite a lesson about Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. I knew I did not know much, but after reading this book, I realized I really did not know much at all. This book was heart wrenching at points, heroic at other points, and just plain informative. I appreciated that the author, son of the main character, allowed the story to unfold as his father related it to him. By doing this, I feel that there is authority, truth, and rawness on the written page. There is no glorification of any side or people group during this time period, only lived facts. This is most certainly a book that can be added to any class studying Asian history, Asian culture, Communism, or history class that covers this time period. Though the reading is slow due to the dense nature of the story, the product of reading it is knowledge and empathy.
