Chanrithy Him

Chanrithy Him is a Cambodian-American author and speaker best known for her 2000 memoir "When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge," which chronicles her experiences as a child survivor of the Cambodian genocide. After escaping Cambodia as a refugee, Him resettled in Oregon in 1981. She went on to study biochemistry at the University of Oregon and later became a research associate for the Khmer Adolescent Project, studying post-traumatic stress disorder in Cambodian youth. Her memoir received widespread recognition and was awarded the Oregon Book Award. The work provides detailed firsthand accounts of life under the Khmer Rouge regime, including Him's experiences in forced labor camps and the deaths of several family members. Beyond her writing, Him serves as a speaker and advocate for Cambodian genocide awareness and refugee rights. She has contributed to various academic studies on trauma and resilience among Southeast Asian refugee populations.

Readers connect deeply with Him's raw, unflinching account of survival during the Cambodian genocide. Her memoir "When Broken Glass Floats" resonates for its authentic child's perspective and detailed documentation of daily life under the Khmer Rouge. What readers liked: - Direct, clear writing style that conveys trauma without sensationalism - Personal family dynamics and relationships woven throughout - Cultural details and Cambodian proverbs that provide context - Balance between hope and harsh realities What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing uneven in certain sections - A few noted difficulty keeping track of all family members - Several mentioned wanting more details about her later life in America Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) Reader quote: "Him writes with such vivid detail that you feel transported into her memories - both beautiful and horrific. The child's perspective makes the history immediate and personal." - Goodreads reviewer

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge (2000) A memoir detailing Him's personal experiences as a child survivor of the Cambodian genocide, chronicling her family's struggles during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979 and their eventual escape to the United States.

Loung Ung writes first-person accounts of survival during the Cambodian genocide through a child's perspective. Her memoirs "First They Killed My Father" and "Lucky Child" parallel Him's experiences under the Khmer Rouge regime.

Vaddey Ratner tells stories of Cambodia's killing fields through semi-autobiographical fiction based on her own escape. Her novel "In the Shadow of the Banyan" chronicles a child's journey through loss and survival during the revolution.

Jung Chang documents multi-generational experiences of political upheaval in Asia through personal narrative. Her work "Wild Swans" follows three generations of women through China's cultural revolution with similar themes of family separation and resilience.

Kao Kalia Yang writes memoirs about the Hmong refugee experience following war in Southeast Asia. Her books "The Latehomecomer" and "The Song Poet" examine displacement, cultural identity, and family bonds.

Elie Wiesel shares first-hand accounts of genocide survival through both memoir and fiction. His works like "Night" focus on preserving historical memory while processing childhood trauma during mass atrocity.