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Cover of When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge
Biography & Memoir· Cambodia

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge

by Chanrithy Him
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2000English
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About This Book

Few works of biography & memoir have earned the sustained critical attention that When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge (2000) by Chanrithy Him continues to receive. This memoir provides a vivid account of Chanrithy Him's experiences as a child during the Khmer Rouge regime. It captures the horrors of the genocide while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The book is an important contribution to understanding the impact of the Khmer Rouge on Cambodian society and the personal stories of survival. Themes of genocide, survival, family run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorChanrithy Him
Published2000
Country of Origin🇰🇭 Cambodia
LanguageEnglish
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780393048638
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇰🇭 Cambodia

This book is part of Cambodia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Cambodia →

Editorial Assessment

Chanrithy Him published When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge in 2000, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of biography & memoir from Cambodia. The book's treatment of genocide, survival, family, resilience accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 0 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge is how it handles its central concerns — genocide, survival, family, resilience — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within Cambodia's literary landscape, Chanrithy Him occupies a significant position. When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
✍️
About the Author
Chanrithy Him
Cambodia
View Author →

Chanrithy Him is a Cambodia author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge about?

This memoir provides a vivid account of Chanrithy Him's experiences as a child during the Khmer Rouge regime. It captures the horrors of the genocide while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The book is an important contribution to understanding the impact of the Khmer Rouge on Cambodian society and the personal stories of survival.

Who wrote When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge?

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge was written by Chanrithy Him, from Cambodia. First published in 2000.

What awards has When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge won?

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge worth reading?

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in genocide, survival, family.

Where can I buy When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge?

You can buy When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge?

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge from?

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge originates from Cambodia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Cambodia on our country page.

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