The Killing Fields of Cambodia: Surviving a Living Hell

by Sokphal Din

If you like an authentic, powerful narrative from the horrors of the Killing Fields in Cambodia, this riveting memoir is a must read. From 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia under the deadly rule of Pol Pot. Mass extermination, slavery, malnutrition and disease resulted in the genocide of two million people - a quarter of Cambodia’s population.



When the Khmer Rouge invade Phnom Penh, hometown of 17-year-old Sokphal Din, he is torn away from his school, friends and childhood. Instead, his life is dictated by fear. From loss of family members, hard labour in the Killing Fields and refugee camps we follow Sokphal’s agonising journey under a violent and unforgiving regime.

˃˃˃ The Killing Fields of Cambodia is a tale of survival through generosity, resourcefulness, and the strength of family.Harrowing yet always hopeful, Sokphal's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.

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Genres: Nonfiction, History, Historical, War, Biography

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2020

About the author

Sokphal Din BEM is a survivor of the Killing Fields of Cambodia.

Reviews

[Michael Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of a family that survived inhuman hardship and brutality during the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 (Pol Pot and his generals). And killed two million people (or more). Sokphal Din, the main voice, is only 17.
It is a tough book and it takes a "hard heart" to deal with it and a certain ability to keep the horror at arm's length. And even if you are able to keep it under control, you cannot help but think, "If this happened to me and my family, how would I protect them? How would I save them?"
But if you choose to read it, despite the cruelty of the circumstances, you will find that even after the darkest night, there is a bright dawn. There is always hope. Always.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still genuinely shocked this is something that has happened in such recent history, yet I’d never even heard about it until I visited Cambodia. The hardships and torture Cambodian people had to endure at the hands of the Khama rouge was absolutely devastating, and at times hard to believe it’s true. As for writing, some paragraphs didn’t feel fully formed and I wish it contained a little more in depth information, but what doesn’t lack is the honest brutality of the situation. Deffo worth a read, it is simple, easy to follow and gives a great insight. I need to read a little more into the politics of it all to get a better understanding as this is the pov of the authors experiences, and he did not offer the ins and outs of how everything came to be. Lost 1 star just because I couldn’t fully connect with the writing style and the structure of the book, but 4 stars because I absolutely recommend reading it!

[N Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read . A true story from the perspective of worn torn refugees , very interesting and quite emotional .
I will read a second time as it makes you realise this could happen to any family .
Excellent book

[Edie Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic and deeply harrowing!! A must read

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sad account of life under the Khmer Rouge and the incredible hardships he and his family survived.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit, I don’t know much about the Cambodian genocide, but reading about this man’s personal experience was shocking and eye opening.

Imagine being driven from your home, starved, lots executed, never allowed to settle in the one place. Separated from family and taken to multiple work camps, where there isn’t enough food to sustain and live so you are constantly having to supplement your food with plants. Battling constant diseases because your body isn’t ever getting nourishment to heal. Never being able to talk to fellow prisoners incase they accuse you, target, and betray you to keep themselves alive. Trying to keep yourself hidden and not stand out.
Coming from a city and educational background, and suddenly having to work and survive in harsh jungles, rice fields without any help.

Surviving through it all where majority didn’t and moving to another country/culture where no one will ever understand your experience.

Wow

[Janine Claire Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic story thrilling read

Its weird to say I enjoyed this book as it's full of sadness and terror but it was so well written I couldn't put it down. It's scary now humans can treAt I e another but also amazing that we still have the ability to trust, love and care. Thanks Sokphal for sharing your story

[Akigwe Chidera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certain books about historical facts upon being read seem surreal. But yet all these happened, Sokphal Din lost his father, brother, almost his entire extended family, friend's and distant relations to the madness of the Khmer rouge!
Approximately 2.1 million died so that Pol Pot could claim communism has been achieved in Cambodia. And the world sat and watched and did nothing save condemn Vietnam for saving millions of Cambodians from perpetual extinction.
Sokphal Din is lucky to have survived to tell this horrid tale of man's wickedness to his fellow man. Yet I blame his mother as I blame the grandma of the author classic 'The Aquariums of Pyongyang' for her obstinacy in leaving Cambodia as her husband begged her to! For if she had left many a painful death would have never occurred. Sokphal Din's father who loved his adopted son and family so much is a tragic character, as is everyone in this tale of woes and pain.

I must confess that I wept while reading this book, and tears cloud my eyes as I pen down this review. I was sad that Sokphal Din never got to actually speak frankly to the guy who loved him, the guy he had feelings for, Punlork.

[Zhelana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was rough to read. Despite only being 150 or so pages long, it took me 3 months to read because I couldn't sit down and read it straight through. I guess that is typical of genocide survivors' literature, but this one seemed rougher than most. That said, I got the feeling that Sokphal Din's life was a little tedious for large parts of the time Pol Pot was in charge, because the writing became tedious at times, with one work site running into another. Also, it ended at a weird time. I mean, the regime fell in 1979, and then it goes on a bit with him getting his life back. But the book doesn't end until 2000 when his mom died, which didn't really feel like part of the story being so far disconnected from the events of the 70s. Anyway, I'm not sure this was really a good book. I didn't actively dislike it, but I also didn't really like it either, even compared to other books in the same genre.

[Paige]

I started this because I wanted a quick read to keep me on my reading goal track, but having finished it surprised me how little is know about what happened. Every country had its own racist or extremist ideologies that take a thriving population, and force them back to more simplistic (though not the right word in any way) times. It makes you wonder if such things didn’t happen, how advanced would these places be? It’s heartbreaking to hear such struggle and realize this didn’t happen too long ago. It makes you want to look further at what’s happening and possibly investigate patterns that lead us to that place. And, of course, learn about them so hopefully the cycle will stop.

[Veronicazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books on the Cambodian genocide, and each one leaves a deeper mark on my heart. This book is no exception—it vividly portrays the unimaginable cruelty, profound loss, and countless heartbreaks endured during that harrowing period. Yet, amidst the darkness, I am continually amazed by the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of such atrocities.

While the writing style could be refined, this is a minor issue compared to the importance of the story it tells. Thank you for sharing this experience with the world, so we can learn and reflect on this dark chapter of history.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational and powerful. An insight into the reality of the sudden and brutal impact Khmer Rouge had on Cambodian civilians. The ending chapters on life after was particularly thought provoking. Disconnected narrative at parts- potentially the broken memory of trauma?

[Nancy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating story of true hardship

First hand account of a life is struggles , constant set backs . He always helped others and for that he survived. Amazing story

[Sabrina_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an underrated book, most people read ‘first they killed my father’ to get a first hand account of the Cambodian genocide I wanted to read this first and it is incredibly heartbreaking. The experiences during the Cambodian genocide is something that people must not forget and it made me truly sad. But there is hope in the story.