If a genie granted me three wishes, I'd use one to erase my memory of this book so I could read it again for the first time, weekly. Kittisak Khongkha's masterful weaving of a profound narrative was enough to keep me glued to the pages. But meticulous prose isn't the only reason this book is going straight onto my "I'd pay a million just to read this again for the first time" shelf.
Rithura and Uthid haunted my thoughts for three days after I finished the book. Their unforgettable journey left a beautiful, yet agonizing, imprint on my heart. The raw emotional depth and intricate character development truly elevate this book beyond simple historical fiction, immersing the reader deeply in their struggles. My first thought after finishing this book was a desperate wish to hug Rithura and Uthid, to absorb some of their pain and offer them solace. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity testifies to the human spirit's enduring capacity for hope and resistance, urging readers to reflect on their own definitions of life.
The next paragraph contains a potential spoiler.
Initially, the letters seemed like a nice touch, but as the story progressed, they evolved into an indispensable narrative device that made my heart race when I read the very last one.