50 pages • 1 hour read
Vaddey RatnerIn The Shadow Of The Banyan
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In the Shadow of the Banyan follows Raami, a seven-year-old girl from a Cambodian royal family, living in 1970s Phnom Penh. Her family is forced from their home by the Khmer Rouge and faces intense persecution. To survive, they pose as farmers but are gradually separated and endure harrowing experiences as they navigate the brutal realities of the Cambodian genocide. Descriptions of war and trauma are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner is a poignant tale that masterfully illustrates the Cambodian genocide through a child's eyes. Readers praise its lyrical prose and emotional depth. However, some feel the narrative pace can be slow. Overall, it's a compelling fusion of historical tragedy and enduring hope.
Who Should Read In The Shadow Of The Banyan?
Readers who appreciate The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung will find In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner compelling. It appeals to those drawn to poignant, personal narratives set against turbulent historical backdrops.