In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner is an incredible novel based on true events in Cambodia at the time when the Khmer Rouge came to power in the late 70’s.  Ratner lived through this with her mother when she was a little girl, the rest of her family was killed and only she and her mother got out alive. She went back as an adult and researched this story for many years.

What makes it a truly incredible book is her art of storytelling, her love of language. This is a beautifully written book that tells of one of the most horrible times of our human history. A heart wrenching story of hope and survival, although at times painful to read, I highly recommend this novel.