63 pages • 2 hours read
First They Killed My Father
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
238
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Cambodia • 1970s
2000
Adult
15-18 years
920L
Super Short Summary
First They Killed My Father is a memoir by Loung Ung recounting her experiences and survival during the Cambodian genocide under Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. The story follows young Loung and her family's struggles as they are forced to leave Phnom Penh, endure various labor camps, and face the horrific deaths of family members. During the Khmer Rouge reign, Ung is separated from her family, encounters extreme hardships, and eventually escapes to a Thai refugee camp before resettling in America with her brother Meng. The book contains descriptions of genocide, starvation, and death.
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Challenging
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
55,771 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Loung Ung's First They Killed My Father provides a harrowing account of her childhood under the Khmer Rouge regime. Praised for its vivid, honest portrayal and emotional depth, it effectively immerses readers in the tragedies and resilience of a survivor. However, some critics find its narrative style occasionally inconsistent. An essential yet challenging read about human endurance.
Who Should Read First They Killed My Father?
Readers who were captivated by The Diary of Anne Frank or Night will find First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung equally compelling. This memoir appeals to those interested in survival stories, historical accounts of war, and personal narratives about resilience in the face of terror.
55,771 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Pa (Sem Im Ung)
Pa (Sem Im Ung)
Loung's intelligent and resourceful father who works for the Cambodian government, using his skills and connections to help his family survive the early years of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Ma (Ay Choung Ung)
Ma (Ay Choung Ung)
Loung's mother, initially reliant on her husband and children during the Cambodian genocide, who shows resilience and capability as she navigates through the hardships her family faces.
Keav
Keav
Loung's oldest sister, known for her wild and smart nature, whose fate is intertwined with the challenges imposed by the Khmer Rouge.
Chou
Chou
Loung's sensitive, slightly older sister who remains in Cambodia and lives a happy life with her own family, maintaining a strong bond with Loung.
Geak
Geak
The youngest of Loung's siblings, whose presence is a significant, albeit quiet, part of Loung’s early memories.
Meng
Meng
Loung’s soft-spoken and responsible oldest brother who ultimately takes care of Loung and brings her to America, playing a pivotal role in her eventual journey.
Khouy
Khouy
Loung’s brother known for his strength and skills such as karate, who experiences a transformation through the difficult years of the Khmer Rouge era.
Kim
Kim
The youngest brother, Kim endures and survives abuse and hardship under the Khmer Rouge, taking significant personal risks to help his family.
238
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Cambodia • 1970s
2000
Adult
15-18 years
920L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.