When Broken Glass Floats -- Book Reveiw

When Broken Glass Floats

Book Review

 By: Wade Bruffey

 

The Book, When Broken Glass Floats by Chanrithy Him is a true story of the author growing up as a Cambodian under the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge was a group of Cambodian extremists who forced the natives to do hard labor for no pay.  they ruled over Cambodia from 1960- 68. Many died during the time the Rouge was dominant, and this book recounts one girl’s experience growing up during their reign. I greatly recommend this book to all who enjoy a rich plot, interesting characters, and a touching story of love, hardship, and family.

         

   The book begins in a city called Year Piar, and Chanrithy, (the main character, as well as author) is with her family at home.  One day they are told that the Khmer Rouge has assumed control of most of the Cambodian capital and are taking people away to work. Chanrithy and her family are advised to stay indoors. The plot of the story advances from this area onward. The family is separated; their father, Pa, killed, and many are sick and starving. Chanrithy’s mother gets very sick, and without medical aid, it appears as though she will surely die. There is a theme that becomes apparent towards the end of the book. This is that as the Khmer Rouge loses support, troops, and money, they get crueler and crueler. There is a chapter where one of Chanrithy’s sisters, Ra, has to get married to a rich man just so they all can stay alive. The plot is a highlight of the overall read. It has many twists, so you are always anxious about what will happen next.

            Understanding all the different characters in the book is critical to understanding the boo

k as a whole. Chanrithy comes from a large family, so it is sometimes hard to understand all the different people she is talking about. The characters that play the main roles in the story are: Chanrithy, the main character, Ra; her sister, Ry; another sister, Mak; their mother, Poo Seng, which is Uncle Seng, and Pa. Chanrithy is a sweet, shy , loving girl who is scared of losing her family, and her feelings are shared by Ry and Ra. Mak is sickly, and she is tortured by being unable to help her kids survive, while Uncle Seng is noble and brave. Chanrithy cares so deeply about all these people, so reading about her losing some of them can be very difficult.  The characters can sometimes be hard to follow, but if you do understand them, it greatly enhances your experiences with the book. It is also interesting to watch Chanrithy grow up during such hardships, you really get to see her mature and get braver and braver throughout the book.

            The writing style of the book can sometimes be erratic and difficult to follow, but it is an overall excellent book. There is sometimes some confusion over all of the different characters, and because there are so many, it is hard to remember who exactly the author is talking about. The plot develops well throughout the book, and although true and depressing, it is interesting and will keep you wondering what will happen next.

            Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about historical events through the point of view of someone who experienced it. If you feel confident in your ability to follow the plot of a story, this is the book for you. When Broken Glass Floats, by Chanrithy Him will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.