At age 5, Loung Ung packed whatever she could carry and set out on foot with her family for a distant relative’s home in the countryside. She and her family were among the millions of Cambodians fleeing the Khmer Rouge regime. Though she eventually immigrated to the U.S. at age 10, the regime claimed the lives of roughly 2 million people, many of Ung’s family members among them.
This story is the basis for Ung’s bestselling, award-winning memoir “First They Killed My Father,” this year’s selection for Metropolitan State University of Denver’s 16th annual 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform program. Ung will visit campus for a keynote discussion on April 2.
The Early Bird spoke with Shayla Bischoff, program manager for Undergraduate Studies and 1 Book co-chair, and Judith Lynn Strathearn, Ph.D., lecturer in Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies and 1 Book faculty co-chair, to learn about this year’s book selection and upcoming events.
Mark your calendar
Keynote with Loung Ung
April 2, 11 a.m.
St. Cajetan’s
How was this year’s book chosen?
SB: Each year, we send a survey to keynote attendees from the previous year. Those surveyed last year expressed interest in immigration, colonization, indigeneity and homelessness. We saw a lot of these subtopics within “First They Killed My Father,” and then, considering world events happening right now in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the topic of war has been front-of-mind. So we thought this was a good time to uplift this author.
What do you think readers will enjoy about this book?
JLS: I think folks will enjoy the releasing of pain and trauma that the author does in the book — and the resilience and humanity that come along with that. Too often, we forget that people have so many traumas that we don’t see. I think people will enjoy seeing how the author not necessarily forgets, and perhaps not even forgives, but moves forward with her life with that trauma as part of her.
SB: Stories like this should be read and spoken about, even if they’re hard, because it’s important for history to not repeat itself.
The book was adapted into a film directed by Angelina Jolie in 2017. How do you think the film will enhance the reader’s experience of the book?
SB: I want to note that Ung co-produced the film, so she worked alongside Jolie to make it pretty accurate, which I think is exciting. Authors aren’t often given that seat to make their books come alive. For people who have a hard time visualizing these places and locations, this is a really good opportunity to engage even deeper with the content.
JLS: I also think the film adds the idea of adaptations to the conversation. What was left in; what was left out? The fact that the author was side-by-side with the production will lead to very interesting discussions.
What are you most excited about for this year’s program?
SB: I think the cooking class is going to be so much fun. It’s a break from the more serious topic but also a reminder that underneath this pain and war and trauma that impacted the people in Cambodia, there’s still a vibrant, beautiful culture. And it gives time to celebrate that, and we really, really hope that our Cambodian community members outside of MSU Denver will come and be a part of this too.
How can MSU Denver students, faculty, staff and community members get free copies of the book?
SB: We have a form that’s linked on our website to request books. You can request a copy right now. If you’re not on campus, you do have to come pick them up from my office in the Jordan Student Success Building. Otherwise, I can arrange to have them delivered to your office. We’ll also have a limited supply of e-reader and audio copies available if people need them.
Is there anything else that you want people to know?
SB: Don’t be afraid of this book. I definitely had an emotional reaction to it, and I’d say tissues are required, but it’s worth the read.
JLS: Sometimes, reading is so solitary; this program gives you the opportunity to create a community. You can dive into the book, and then you can have folks to talk it over with because the material is definitely something you’ll have to process. 1 Book is a community for that.
