Camron Wright
Shadow Mountain
First edition (August 27, 2012)
HC, 304 pp,
$22.99,978-1609071226.
Sang Ly, a twenty-nine year old young mother, her husband Ki Lim and son, Nisay live on the top of a large mountain in Cambodia. Rather than pristine rolling landscapes and crystal clean running streams, they are surrounded by piles of noxious and dangerous garbage. They live at the very bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchy. The place is called Stung Meanchey, and this is their home, a shelter that consists of a couple of poles and a canvas roof. Within are the bare essentials for survival. Each day is spent with one goal in mind, to make enough money to eat a dinner. Hopefully, with luck they will earn enough at the end of the month to pay rent to The Rent Collector, a merciless, stone hearted drunk. They call her the cow, but her name is Sopeap Sin. Nisay is a very sick child and all attempts to treat his chronic diarrhea fail. His belly is large and Sang Ly fears for his life. One day when Sopeap arrives for the monthly rent, Sang Ly witnesses her sobbing after she discovers a torn children’s picture book in Nisay’s hands. Later, Sang Ly is sure that Sopeap must know how to read. How is it possible, that this wretched woman, also amid such poverty is able to read? Sang Ly is determined to save her son and she now knows that there is a way.
This is an amazing story of challenges, determination, guilt, gratitude and forgiveness. Seriously, a book that is difficult to break away from. Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin discover through their love of storytelling lessons that will surprise everyone. I will savor this book, the characters, the message and my personal thoughts about life’s perspective. THE RENT COLLECTOR is a passionately rare and memorable gift for all readers.
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2012].
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012].
DISCLOSURE: A free kindle version of this book was made available by Net Galley for review.
Wisteria Leigh
September 29, 2012
2 comments:
This book is on my TBR list, I really like the sound of it.
Glad to reconnect with your blog. Hope you've been doing well (and you amazing dogs as well).
Hi Diane...It is fantastic. Definitely worthwhile. I had read about it a few weeks back and really couldn't wait to read it. I have seen nothing but favorable reviews too.
I am doing much better. Thanks for asking. It feels good to get back to my blog. It's been a long time. The kids (Lion and Wizard) are a okay. In fact, Lion will be going to school on Friday as I speak to my students about rescued greyhounds. Should be fun. Take care...W
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