Never Fall Down

A Boy Soldier's Story of Survival

By: Patricia McCormick

Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

When soldiers arrive at his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock 'n' roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever.

Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp. Working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to be invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim.

One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand - and steal food to keep the other kids alive.

This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated from the Khmer Rouge, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. He lives by the simple credo: Over and over I tell myself one thing: never fall down.

Based on the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, this is an achingly raw and powerful novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace, from National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick.

©2012 Patricia McCormick (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

incredible

i downloaded and listened while I was travelling in Cambodia. it was hard to listen to...so disturbing and then I sobbed so much listening to this. it helped me understand why i felt so sad and angry while in Cambodia. this book is so excellent and the story teller really captured the essence of the Arn and such a stark honesty. such simple truths.

Heartbreaking.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it was so enlightening as to the plight of the Cambodians in the years right after the end of the Vietnam War.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Never Fall Down?

When the main character had to decide whether to kill his younger sister or leave her to die.

What about Ramon De Ocampo’s performance did you like?

Truly credible for all characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book was so depressing but I think when the main character understood why he had lived when almost everyone around him died.

compelling story of triumph and survival

Would you listen to Never Fall Down again? Why?

Yes this was a remarkable story told honestly about survival during the khmer rouge killing fields days of Cambodia's dark hour.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked this man (boy) Arn and his energy, intelligence and drive to survive. Also his humanity and generosity.

What about Ramon de Ocampo???s performance did you like?

It felt like it was Arn himself speaking. very convincing performance. Heartfelt.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book was moving. It was an unbelievable epic of man's cruelty to man and the survival of one boy admidst the chaos and unhumanity,

Survivor

Where does Never Fall Down rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

100% DEEP!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Arn. Arn is very brave , strong and ambitious young man

Have you listened to any of Ramon De Ocampo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had a super extreme reaction. I CRIED my husband Cried. It cut deep to know that this is an actual real life story :_ (

Any additional comments?

In the end I am happy that Arn survived may the lord bless his heart. I pray for persons across the world to not got through the same experience has Arn and the persons of Cambodia.

Important life story

What made the experience of listening to Never Fall Down the most enjoyable?

the presentation of the young man's story, the reality of the material

What other book might you compare Never Fall Down to and why?

Books from the Nazi occupation in WWII. The horrors of madmen do not diminish and continue.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scene where he was finally able to begin the huge task of processing the horribleness of what had happened to him, and to let the toxicity that was forced on him to escape.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The truth that Kamer Rouge perpetrated on Cambodian people

Any additional comments?

This is a very important story, it is important to hear and to learn from it. Somehow this kind of craziness must be ended where whole innocent peoples are subject to this type atrocity.

I had to give it at least 1 star!

What an awful book to listen to. I'm sure the story is inspiring but listening to someone speak pidgin English is not my thing.

Broken English dumbed it all down

Found it very challenging to enjoy a book written and read in broken English. A true story would’ve been much more interesting with use of rich language.

must read

A powerful story. Absolutely heart wrenching. It will give you a newfound respect for refugees.

I'd advise parents to read before their kids

Very graphic. Rape is spoken of and described. Uses a lot of curse words. Very violent. Bashing in of skulls is described. My son was assigned this to get into 9th grade honors language arts. I feel the graphic nature makes it more appropriate for a college age student.

surprised book

was not thinking I would like a book recommended by a teacher but I really enjoyed it.