Survival for Ki Lim and Sang Ly is a daily battle at Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. They make their living scavenging recyclables from the trash. Life would be hard enough without the worry for their chronically ill child, Nisay, and the added expense of medicines that are not really working. Just when things seem most bleak, Sang Ly learns a secret about the … about the hated, ill-tempered woman, the “the rent collector”-she can read! Reluctantly she agrees to teach Sang Ly and does so with the same harshness she applied to her collection duties until they both learn how literacy has the power to instill hope and transcend circumstance.
Based on a true story, set in the abject poverty of Cambodia against the backdrop of political oppression and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.
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For Ki Lim and Sang Ly, our unthinkable is their reality. Living in a shanty on the edge of the largest municipal waste dump in Cambodia, they fight for survival against gangs, thieves, and daily want while scavenging for recyclables to make their living. This simply told, touching glimpse into how the other half live manages to both inform and inspire, leaving the reader with a reason to hope for the best.
This is one of those books that turned out to be completely different from what I expected. And absolutely wonderful! And, as you find out at the end, it’s based on a true story.
Adjacent to a huge public dump, in one of the poorest areas of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Sang Ly, her husband Kim Lim, and baby Nisay scrape by each day by scrounging around the mounds of garbage, hunting for items they can sell to buy food. That is, if the patrolling gangs don’t steal their money first. The family home is cobbled together from metal scrap and tarp, offering only meager protection from the elements. Nisay is constantly ill and, despite continual effort, his parents can’t seem to find a cure that lasts.
One of the most hated figures in their lives is the Rent Collector, an older woman who relentlessly hounds her customers, instantly threatening eviction anytime they are late with even one payment. Then, one day, Sang Ly notices the Rent Collector tearing up after glimpsing the cover of a discarded book. This leads Sang Ly to conclude that the Rent Collector knows how to read. Desperate to do whatever she can to improve the prospects for her young son’s future, Sang Ly asks the Rent Collector to please teach her how to read.
Thus begins a relationship between these two women, from vastly different backgrounds, who slowly begin to uncover each other’s life story and develop a friendship. The Rent Collector’s mysterious story dates back to the brutal Khmer Rouge regime while Sang Ly’s is rooted in a small country town. There is also the touching love story between Sang Ly and her husband and a glimpse at how, poor as they are, the two of them are able to make a big difference in the lives of those around them. It’s also a glimpse into the world of illiteracy and the difference one person’s skill can make in the lives of everyone around her.
Don’t miss this lovely, deeply human novel!
Loved this book—a huge favorite of mine!
Borrowing the author’s own words, this sotry was “renewing, restoring, astonishing, redeeming.” I loved the glimpse into Cambodian life and history, and the theme of literacy as a gift of hope.
A beautiful story of hope, friendship, and the power of words despite a hopeless setting. Sang Ly is a young mother in Cambodia. She and her husband and sickly child live at the dump. Literally the dump. Her husband spends his days picking through trash to make ends meet. They rent a shack from a woman called The Rent Collector.
But on the day Sang Ly discovers a secret about The Rent Collector, it sets off a series of events that change her life.
As a life-long reader and writer and former English teacher, I loved the discussions about the power of words and literature.
Overall, there were moments of humor, sadness, joy, and deep understanding. Some have criticized the book because they felt the voice was off but I was captured by Sang Ly, her attitude, and sense of optimism. Don’t read this book thinking it’s an example of Own Voices. The author is a white guy from Utah writing about an illiterate mother in Cambodia. But I think he did a wonderful job.
Number of Ugly Cries: 1
This book was based on the true story of a Cambodian family who live in a dump. It made me grateful for all the things I take for granted everyday. It was truth on so many levels. Although much of it tragic, it was uplifting and give hope.
It was a big eye-opener to a side of life in a diffferent world that I knew nothing about. However, out. of life’s crushing crcumstances, comes some amazing redeeming, life-giving and hopeful outcomes. A very powerful story that needed to be told!
This book is beautiful and now I see why it received so many awards. Needed tissues by the end, but so inspirational and gives you a lot to think about.
I was a bit reluctant to read this book. It sounded downright grim. The setting is a huge municipal waste dump in Cambodia where the residents live and eke out a meager living scavenging through the garbage. How could it not be grim? Was I ever wrong! The book is uplifting, heart-opening, and often gently humorous. The characters, Sang Ly and her family, and the notorious rent collector, Sopeap Sin, unfold before us through the author’s skill and remarkable story-telling. The book is insightful, wise, and a soaring testament to the power of books, words, and ideas. I didn’t want this book to ever end (though the ending was, of course, perfect). This one is going to be with me for a long, long time.
The setting was so foreign to me but very realistic. The chapters showed emotions that most of us keep hidden. The rent collector teacher us about literature on a different plane than we learned. You’ll identify with the main character as she shows an array of emotions, understanding and compassion for others. Her understanding and learning is broken down into steps that most of us take for granted. Her faith is amazing!
This is the story of Sang Ly who live in the garbage dump in Stung Meanchey, Cambodia. They make their living by looking for recyclable material and selling it. They barely make enough money to stay alive. What makes matters worse is that they have a chronically ill child. It is hard to pay for a doctor, but even when they do take him, after a few days of medicine, his symptoms return.
Who Sang Ly and her husband fear the most is the rent collector. She is bad tempered and doesn’t have time for excuses of people who cannot pay rent. Sang Ly knows they will be short of money because her husband was recently robbed, however, when the rent collector shows up at their house and sees a child’s book that Sang Ly has found in the dump, she forgives their rent in return of getting to keep the book.
Soon – the story of Sang Ly – and her desire to learn to read – and the rent collector start to unfold. The rent collector agrees to teach Sang Ly to read and as they begin to spend time together, they learn about each other’s past. What Sang Ly discovered about the rent collector, whom she comes to love and trust, teachers her about love, trust, and truth. And that everyone deserves a second chance.
This was a really great book. It isn’t a long tale, so I was able to read it quickly. The book flows nicely and the writing is beautiful. The story of the hardship of living in the dump in Cambodia is hard to imagine. Learning to read opens up a whole world for Sang Ly, and in turn, will open a whole world for her son. She is hopeful that one day education and literature will help her son escape the hardship of the life in the dump.
The truth about the rent collector’s past, and her story, is a heartbreaking one. And not one I will spoil in a review. You should not miss a chance to read this book.
I loved this book. Sang Ly’s desire to read and make a better life and future available for her son Nisay in spite of the odds against her was inspirational to me. Also, the friendship that slowly developed between Sopeap and Sang Ly was beautifully written. Even though she lived and worked in a dump Sang Ly’s interaction with the people there brought much joy. I highly recommend this book.
Learn about life in Cambodia, living in desperation, and friendship.
Don’t miss this book!! A Must-Read!
I highly recommend this wonderful book!
A thoroughly good book.
This book was eye opening in regards to living conditions in 3rd world countries and the ability to overcome obstacles.
Great, educational read. Learned a lot about Cambodia. Will be proposing it to my Book Club.
This book had great characters. It had a wonderful story and extoled the value of reading. I found it inspirational. I liked the author’s style of writing. I highly recommend it.
This book, in spite of the tragic circumstances, leaves one with a hope for the future and faith in the now.