The Rent Collector

By: Camron Wright

Narrated by: Diane Dabczynski

Survival for Ki Lim and Sang Ly is a daily battle at Stung Mean Chey, 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 working. Just when things seem worst, Sang Ly learns a secret about the ill-tempered rent collector who comes demanding money - a secret that sets in motion a tide that will change the life of everyone it sweeps past. The Rent Collector is a story of hope, of one woman's journey to save her son and another woman's chance at redemption. It demonstrates that even in a dump in Cambodia - perhaps especially in a dump in Cambodia - everyone deserves a second chance.

©2012 Camron Wright (P)2013 Shadow Mountain

A feel good type of book.

Another book club book and I loved it. This is not my normal type of book and I wouldn't have read it if this book wasn't a book club selection. I have recommended this book to many people and those that have read it have enjoyed it. My favorite part is the Cambodia version of Cinderella. I had read this book first and I liked it so much I purchased the book with a full credit. Unfortunately the narrator sounded too young for this story. but that doesn't distract too much from the wonderful story.

surprisingly loved this book!

I put off starting this book thinking it would be depressing and dark, but the further I got into it I was drawn in and so taken by the tenacity of the main characters. I would call it one of my favorites and will likely listen to it again soon.

Inspirational

A book of beauty set in the most unlikeliest of places. Interesting and heartwarming. Sad and difficult to imagine such a life, too. The power of education is an overriding theme. Would be an outstanding high school literature choice.

Lovely narration.

I was thoroughly invested in the character's desire to learn to read, and cheered her on through her dogged determination to do so, especially in her discovery of how this new skill could improve her life and those around her. An interesting depiction of life spent humbly yet honestly at a Cambodian dump.

Out of the Ashes

Enjoyed this book. Really liked the narrator's voice and cadence.
Happiness came from a very depressing life.