A rather grim look into a Cambodian farming family, ruled by a a doctorial father, who is often at his worst due to excessive drinking. Each chapter contains moments in the life of one character in the family. A family whose elder members are still scarred by the Khmer Rouge and the civil war that ensued.

Chapters divided by family member is not my favorite way of telling a story. It breaks up, for me, a cohesive whole. Each chapter also deals with a different, subject, problem that kept any one thing from being fully explored. The Cambodian culture does come across, in the background of the stories. One gets a clear picture of the powerlessness of women, who are unable to make their own decisions.

A sliver of hope does emerge in the final telling of the youngest daughter, who manages to take minimal control of her own life. It was for the most part interesting reading, I just wanted a more thorough picture.

ARC from Edelweiss. ( )