First They Killed My Father is a memoir written by Loung Ung. The book tells the story of Ung’s life during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. The book is divided into four parts, with each part focusing on a different period of Ung’s life during the regime. The book is a harrowing account of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge and the impact they had on the people of Cambodia.
Summary of Part One: “The Childhood”
Part one of First They Killed My Father is titled “The Childhood.” In this part, Ung recounts her early years growing up in Phnom Penh. She describes her happy childhood and her close relationship with her family. However, as the Khmer Rouge takes over Cambodia, Ung’s world is turned upside down. Her family is forced to leave their home and move to the countryside to work on a farm. Life in the countryside is hard, and Ung and her family are subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.
Summary of Part Two: “The Training”
Part two of First They Killed My Father is titled “The Training.” In this part, Ung and her family are forced to leave the countryside and return to Phnom Penh. However, when they arrive, they are taken to a training camp where they are forced to undergo brutal training. Ung and her siblings are separated from their parents and subjected to physical and psychological abuse. They are taught to kill and to hate anyone who is not a Khmer Rouge soldier.
Summary of Part Three: “The Revolution”
Part three of First They Killed My Father is titled “The Revolution.” In this part, Ung and her family are sent to work in a labor camp. They are forced to work long hours with little food or water. Ung and her family are subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of the Khmer Rouge soldiers. They are forced to witness the execution of their fellow workers and are subjected to beatings and torture.
Summary of Part Four: “The Return”
Part four of First They Killed My Father is titled “The Return.” In this part, Ung and her family are finally allowed to return to Phnom Penh. However, the city is in ruins, and Ung and her family are forced to live in poverty. They are subjected to the same brutal treatment that they experienced in the countryside. Ung’s family is eventually able to escape Cambodia and move to the United States. However, Ung is haunted by the memories of her past and the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge.
Conclusion
First They Killed My Father is a harrowing account of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge and the impact they had on the people of Cambodia. Ung’s memoir is a powerful reminder of the horrors that can be committed in the name of ideology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to overcome even the most horrific of circumstances. First They Killed My Father is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of war and genocide on individuals and communities.
Interested in reading the whole book?
Buy the book “First They Killed My Father” on Amazon
