Call number
FIC WRI
Collection
Genres
Publication
Shadow Mountain (2013), Edition: Reprint, 288 pages
Description
Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML: Based on true events. Sang Ly lives at Cambodia's city dump and is grateful she can help earn a living for her family by sifting through the trash for recyclables and things that can be repaired and sold. On a good day, she can earn enough to buy food for her family. She needs enough good days so she can pay the rent collector, Sopeapâ??a grumpy old woman who shows no mercy and who is willing to evict any tenant who can't pay their rent on time. When Sang Ly is unable to pay her rent for the month, she fears her family will have to leave the dump and their shanty home, a place where her only possessions can be carried in two hands. Little does she know that a discarded children's book found among the mounds of trash would save her. When Sopeap sees the book lying on Sang Ly's cardboard bed, her mood changes. Sang Ly offers her the book if she is allowed to keep her family at the dump. An unlikely friendship develops between the two women, and Sang Ly learns that Sopeap knows how to readâ??something that Sang Ly has always wanted to learn. Being able to read could transform Sang Ly's world beyond the predictable confines of the dump and lead to a future with possibilities and hope. But the rent collector has a secret and tragic past, one that will not be easy for Sang Ly to navigate. With the help of her supportive husband, Ki Lim, and a helpful and humorous boy, Lucky Fat, Sang Ly embarks on a life-changing journey to give her young son, Nisay, a better life and future. The Rent Collector is about the power of literacy, the influence of the past, and finding hope, resiliency, and empowerment in the face of seemingly endless hardship… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
The Rent Collector, Camron Wright
Although it is fiction, this story is based upon the experiences of the poverty-stricken individuals who lived and earned their livings at the largest municipal garbage dump in Cambodia, Stung Meanchey. It describes a life of courage and fortitude in the face of
This story was imagined with actual facts describing the way the inhabitants lived and struggled, trying to manage day to day, trying to bring up a family, maintaining health, “hearth and home” in what passed for life in that appalling atmosphere. They survived by searching through the detritus of other people’s lives, picking out the plastic and metal and other substances that they thought had value. Then they sold their “bounty” for a pittance if they weren’t beaten before they got to the buyers. They had no creature comforts or modern conveniences. What they had was each other.
In the midst of all that despair, they also held on to hope. One of the messages of the book that came through loud and clear was that it was not what material advances one made in life, but rather, how one lived life that was important.
The rent collector, Sopeap Sin was a drunk. She was a hard and seemingly unfeeling woman, totally lacking compassion. She collected the rent and brooked no excuses. When Sang Ly’s husband Ki was beaten, robbed and severely wounded, they had no rent money. As Sopeap demanded her money and made threats to evict them from this “paradise”, she happened to look around the home. Her eyes lit upon a book, an odd sight, indeed, in this wasteland. She was suddenly emotionally overcome. The book obviously had special meaning for her. When she left, she took the book with her.
When Sang Ly realized that Sopeap could probably read, she made a deal with her to teach her how to read. She would then teach her own son, hopefully providing him with a ticket off the “mountain” of Stung Meanchey. She hoped that her son, who was often ill, would improve his lot in life and someday get well, enabling him to live a more productive life in the city.
Although the subject explored in this book is grave and really heart-rending, the story is told with such a light touch of humor and a simple common sense approach to life, that reading it is not as difficult as one would suppose. However, the reader will be forced to deal with the fact that although no one should have to live under those conditions, these very real people actually did survive in this barbaric lifestyle. It was often all that was available to these poor people. The beauty of the story is that as they lived this way, they actually created a community that worked together in order to survive, and they, often, even shared what little they had and protected each other when they could. They existed as a viable community.
Underlying the larger fictional story is the history of Cambodia’s political struggles. The brutal, uneducated masses belonging to the Khmer Rouge, rose to power and quickly set about randomly murdering all those they encountered who were educated, successful, productive, and well-to-do. They did not believe in anything but the principal of working the land. The rice crop would sustain them all. Such revolutions always fail. It is almost impossible for a society to simply live off the land without some kind of greater organization, governed by something other than the principal of control by the ignorant who maintain it through violence, cruelty and brutality. The life of Sopeap Sin, an educated teacher, was utterly changed with their rise to power. In her current life as the rent collector, she drinks to excess to escape from her memories of the horror she lived through under the rule of the Khmer Rouge barbarians.
The story is like a universal parable contrasting good vs. evil, hope vs. desperation. For the most part, the characters treated each other with kindness and offered advice to each other with statements that sounded much like proverbs, basic simple truths that explained life and the circumstances surrounding their experiences. Although uneducated, they were wise in their understanding of what made life worth living. Of course, the unattainable accumulation of luxuries was never a consideration, although they did dream of a better life. Subsistence and survival, love and family, community and their social order took precedence over everything else. When they were faced with danger, when the innocent were victims, they came together to protect each other and their “way of life”.
The references to literature, with the quotes and stories from famous authors, added a magical quality to the tale. The messages wrought, from each piece presented, were sincere and meaningful. They representing universal concepts. The story of Moby Dick was one of the examples used. Using literature as the tool, with simple explanations, life was explored and explained, and the value of thinking things through and learning on one’s own from experience and mistakes, was illustrated. The Cambodian folk tales, and others, like folk tales from most cultures, opened a window on the life of the simple citizens who eked out their existence in the dump and in the small surrounding subdivisions that provided a bit more structure and convenience. Sadly, the story of their subsistence is commonplace in many third world countries.
The history of Cambodia was traced through the stories so that within each chapter, there were stories and messages within the larger story. The rent collector was so much more than the tale of Sang Ly, Sopeap Sin and the garbage pickers. The tale imparted a wonderful message about the value of an education and the enduring value of literature. Reading, learning and broadening her mind through the information gleaned in the books, opened doors for Sang Ly. It provided hope for the future, for herself and others.
The people in Sang Ly’s life were largely gentle. They lived off the wasteland, surviving in the only way they could in the face of a world which offered them nothing but the dump, a place where people threw away the things that meant nothing to them, and yet meant everything to those that lived in Stung Meanchey, who existed because of that very garbage. What made the story most powerful for me was the fact that the families featured were real, and this was the limited life they lived, all the while maintaining a happy outlook and a hopeful aspect.
Although it is fiction, this story is based upon the experiences of the poverty-stricken individuals who lived and earned their livings at the largest municipal garbage dump in Cambodia, Stung Meanchey. It describes a life of courage and fortitude in the face of
Show More
abject hardship and privation. Since the production of the documentary by the author’s brother, the dump has been closed, but you cannot remove the fact that the dump was a wretched place to live. The filth and the stench permeated the homes which were built from scraps. They had no solid construction or protection from the elements or disease. There were no doors, no locks and no protection from the roving gangs that robbed and preyed upon the poor pickers. To have to sort through that garbage, fearful of falling into toxic waste, being run over by a garbage truck, being infected by the bacteria that must have lived in the environs, or being attacked by the vermin that crawled through it, to say nothing of what the smell might be like in that place, is beyond my ken and beyond the expectations of normal people in developed countries. In our wildest imagination and nightmares, we could not reproduce such a world order.This story was imagined with actual facts describing the way the inhabitants lived and struggled, trying to manage day to day, trying to bring up a family, maintaining health, “hearth and home” in what passed for life in that appalling atmosphere. They survived by searching through the detritus of other people’s lives, picking out the plastic and metal and other substances that they thought had value. Then they sold their “bounty” for a pittance if they weren’t beaten before they got to the buyers. They had no creature comforts or modern conveniences. What they had was each other.
In the midst of all that despair, they also held on to hope. One of the messages of the book that came through loud and clear was that it was not what material advances one made in life, but rather, how one lived life that was important.
The rent collector, Sopeap Sin was a drunk. She was a hard and seemingly unfeeling woman, totally lacking compassion. She collected the rent and brooked no excuses. When Sang Ly’s husband Ki was beaten, robbed and severely wounded, they had no rent money. As Sopeap demanded her money and made threats to evict them from this “paradise”, she happened to look around the home. Her eyes lit upon a book, an odd sight, indeed, in this wasteland. She was suddenly emotionally overcome. The book obviously had special meaning for her. When she left, she took the book with her.
When Sang Ly realized that Sopeap could probably read, she made a deal with her to teach her how to read. She would then teach her own son, hopefully providing him with a ticket off the “mountain” of Stung Meanchey. She hoped that her son, who was often ill, would improve his lot in life and someday get well, enabling him to live a more productive life in the city.
Although the subject explored in this book is grave and really heart-rending, the story is told with such a light touch of humor and a simple common sense approach to life, that reading it is not as difficult as one would suppose. However, the reader will be forced to deal with the fact that although no one should have to live under those conditions, these very real people actually did survive in this barbaric lifestyle. It was often all that was available to these poor people. The beauty of the story is that as they lived this way, they actually created a community that worked together in order to survive, and they, often, even shared what little they had and protected each other when they could. They existed as a viable community.
Underlying the larger fictional story is the history of Cambodia’s political struggles. The brutal, uneducated masses belonging to the Khmer Rouge, rose to power and quickly set about randomly murdering all those they encountered who were educated, successful, productive, and well-to-do. They did not believe in anything but the principal of working the land. The rice crop would sustain them all. Such revolutions always fail. It is almost impossible for a society to simply live off the land without some kind of greater organization, governed by something other than the principal of control by the ignorant who maintain it through violence, cruelty and brutality. The life of Sopeap Sin, an educated teacher, was utterly changed with their rise to power. In her current life as the rent collector, she drinks to excess to escape from her memories of the horror she lived through under the rule of the Khmer Rouge barbarians.
The story is like a universal parable contrasting good vs. evil, hope vs. desperation. For the most part, the characters treated each other with kindness and offered advice to each other with statements that sounded much like proverbs, basic simple truths that explained life and the circumstances surrounding their experiences. Although uneducated, they were wise in their understanding of what made life worth living. Of course, the unattainable accumulation of luxuries was never a consideration, although they did dream of a better life. Subsistence and survival, love and family, community and their social order took precedence over everything else. When they were faced with danger, when the innocent were victims, they came together to protect each other and their “way of life”.
The references to literature, with the quotes and stories from famous authors, added a magical quality to the tale. The messages wrought, from each piece presented, were sincere and meaningful. They representing universal concepts. The story of Moby Dick was one of the examples used. Using literature as the tool, with simple explanations, life was explored and explained, and the value of thinking things through and learning on one’s own from experience and mistakes, was illustrated. The Cambodian folk tales, and others, like folk tales from most cultures, opened a window on the life of the simple citizens who eked out their existence in the dump and in the small surrounding subdivisions that provided a bit more structure and convenience. Sadly, the story of their subsistence is commonplace in many third world countries.
The history of Cambodia was traced through the stories so that within each chapter, there were stories and messages within the larger story. The rent collector was so much more than the tale of Sang Ly, Sopeap Sin and the garbage pickers. The tale imparted a wonderful message about the value of an education and the enduring value of literature. Reading, learning and broadening her mind through the information gleaned in the books, opened doors for Sang Ly. It provided hope for the future, for herself and others.
The people in Sang Ly’s life were largely gentle. They lived off the wasteland, surviving in the only way they could in the face of a world which offered them nothing but the dump, a place where people threw away the things that meant nothing to them, and yet meant everything to those that lived in Stung Meanchey, who existed because of that very garbage. What made the story most powerful for me was the fact that the families featured were real, and this was the limited life they lived, all the while maintaining a happy outlook and a hopeful aspect.
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LibraryThing member elsyd
This is a book of fiction that reads like a historical memoir. A good look at a different culture as well as a look at someone's introduction to reading and literature.
LibraryThing member Beamis12
It is hard to believe that families live on the edge of the largest trash heap in Cambodia, in shacks that have as doors only tarp. They also have to pay rent for this dubious privilege, and are evicted if they cannot. Their job is to collect recyclables or other worthy garbage and exchange this
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for money. Sang Ly is one such character, living in this situation with her sick son and husband. Her dream is to get her family out of there, to a better house where they can all thrive. She believes that if she can learn to read it will help lead her out of their current situation. The Rent Collector, is perceived as cruel and a drunkard to boot, but as Sang Ly soon learns there is much more to her than what appears on the surface. Loved these two characters, loved the fact that Sang Ly never gives up hope and that Sopeap, the Rent Collector, has a whole back story that slowly emerges. It was totally unexpected to find the many ways literature, stories and hope are portrayed, in a situation as untenable as this. The story flowed well, my only criticism is the teaching, using these folk tales and metaphors became a little too constant for my taste. It did not , however, ruin for me the wonderful tone of this novel, nor the message that it conveyed. Hope can exist anywhere if one does not give up, I think that is important. Show Less
LibraryThing member WisteriaLeigh
Sang Ly, a twenty-nine year old young mother, her husband Ki Lim and son, Nisay live on the top of a large mountain in Cambodia. Rather than pristine rolling landscapes and crystal clean running streams, they are surrounded by piles of noxious and dangerous garbage. They live at the very bottom of
This is an amazing story of challenges, determination, guilt, gratitude and forgiveness. Seriously, a book that is difficult to break away from. Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin discover through their love of storytelling lessons that will surprise everyone. I will savor this book, the characters, the message and my personal thoughts about life’s perspective. THE RENT COLLECTOR is a passionately rare and memorable gift for all readers.
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012].
DISCLOSURE: A free kindle version of this book was made available by Net Galley for review.
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Maslow’s Hierarchy. The place is called Stung Meanchey, and this is their home, a shelter that consists of a couple of poles and a canvas roof. Within are the bare essentials for survival. Each day is spent with one goal in mind, to make enough money to eat a dinner. Hopefully, with luck they will earn enough at the end of the month to pay rent to The Rent Collector, a merciless, stone hearted drunk. They call her the cow, but her name is Sopeap Sin. Nisay is a very sick child and all attempts to treat his chronic diarrhea fail. His belly is large and Sang Ly fears for his life. One day when Sopeap arrives for the monthly rent, Sang Ly witnesses her sobbing after she discovers a torn children’s picture book in Nisay’s hands. Later, Sang Ly is sure that Sopeap must know how to read. How is it possible, that this wretched woman, also amid such poverty is able to read? Sang Ly is determined to save her son and she now knows that there is a way.This is an amazing story of challenges, determination, guilt, gratitude and forgiveness. Seriously, a book that is difficult to break away from. Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin discover through their love of storytelling lessons that will surprise everyone. I will savor this book, the characters, the message and my personal thoughts about life’s perspective. THE RENT COLLECTOR is a passionately rare and memorable gift for all readers.
© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012].
DISCLOSURE: A free kindle version of this book was made available by Net Galley for review.
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LibraryThing member reb922
Based on a true story The Rent Collector is set in a garbage dump in Cambodia where people work and live picking through the garbage around them. When a young mother with a sick child find a book it will change her life and help redeem a woman still suffering from the not to distant horrors of the
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countries past. This was a wonderful story that gives glimpses into the tragic past of Cambodia and the struggles its residents are still enduring. It also show how powerful the ability to read can be. Show Less
LibraryThing member hopefully86
I won a copy through the Goodreads' Firstreads program!!!
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright gives a look into the life of trash pickers living in a huge dump of Cambodia.
That is the basic plot, but the story does so much more. There is hope / loss, joy / sadness, and a myriad of emotions tied
Perhaps what stuck with me the most is the main character Sang Li's neverending faith in a better tomorrow. Her family and struggles are based on a real person, even if the story itself is a fiction write.
The author does an amazing job of making a Cambodian family relatable to the everyperson. I tell people every day that I'm reading this wonderful novel, and encourage all of you to do so. I will pass this around until the spine falls apart!
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright gives a look into the life of trash pickers living in a huge dump of Cambodia.
That is the basic plot, but the story does so much more. There is hope / loss, joy / sadness, and a myriad of emotions tied
Show More
within. I thought about my position in the world, and how lucky I am to enjoy basic necessities every day. Perhaps what stuck with me the most is the main character Sang Li's neverending faith in a better tomorrow. Her family and struggles are based on a real person, even if the story itself is a fiction write.
The author does an amazing job of making a Cambodian family relatable to the everyperson. I tell people every day that I'm reading this wonderful novel, and encourage all of you to do so. I will pass this around until the spine falls apart!
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
The interweaving of the two stories-Sang Ly's struggle to care for her ailing child and Sopeap's life with her terrible burden-is masterfully done. As Mr. Wright describes the changes Sang Ly goes through as she learns to read and then to understand literature, he gives the reader glimpses of
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Sopeap-little things that leave the reader guessing there's more to her story. It isn't until the end that the full import and tragedy of her life is revealed, making a powerful statement about the history of Cambodia and the triumph of hope despite the odds. Show Less
LibraryThing member amillion
Wow. After seeing the documentary by 10x10 called Girl Rising (see this if you haven't!), this book happened into my periphery. How timely. While the book is fiction, it is based on real characters from the author's son's documentary "River of Victory" about the "garbage pickers" who lived in the
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dump of the same name Stung Meanchey - hardly a river. Wright took the documentary's characters and imagined how their lives and community could be different with an opportunity for education. The book beautifully weaves fairy tales, literature, poetry, and original short stories into the understanding of life and culture in the poorest populations of Cambodia. Girl Rising and this lovely book prove that education, whether reading or history, changes our perspectives. A true gem. Show Less
LibraryThing member clprice
A story worth reading. Especially for all my friends who have visited Nicaragua and the dump.
LibraryThing member bandpmom
Awesome! Loved loved loved!
LibraryThing member booklovers2
The Rent Collector is a fictional story based on an actual family that lived in Stung Meanchey, which is a dump in Cambodia where families live and work;searching thru the mountains of trash to earn a living by selling recycable items. Living day by day. Sang Ly her husband Ki and son Neshay are
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the main characters. Neshay is very sick by living at the dump. Sopeap Sin is an old woman who is known as the 'Rent Collector'. Sopeap Sin it turns out was a teacher, who survived Khomer Rouge when all of the educators were exterminated. One Day, Ki brings a child's book home to Sang Ly for Neshay, a picture book. Although no one in the family can read, Sang Ly makes up a story based on the pictures. The day Sopeap sees the book lying on the floor of Sang Ly's hut, she is overwhelmed with emotion. This one event changes both of their lives forever. Great emotional story of hope and how a relationship thru teaching and learning to read changes all the lives around them. Show Less
LibraryThing member poetreegirl
A family of trash pickers lives in the Stung Meanchey dump of Cambodia barely surviving. When the wife learns to read, their lives begin to change, and beauty is found in unexpected places.
LibraryThing member kmmt48
I did enjoy this story about a family that lives and survives in a complex existence in the largest trash dump in Cambodia. It is not a depressing saga but one of hope, family values and friendship. I would have rated it higher but it takes a long time to get to the main story line and that is when
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the book becomes of interest. The characters could also be more highly defined. A good story that deserved a little more depth. Show Less
LibraryThing member CheryleFisher
THIS BOOK RANKS AS MY #1 READ OF 2016. TOLD AS A TALE IT RELATES HOW READING CAN CHANGE PEOPLES LIVES. THE DESIRE TO LEARN TO READ TO IMPROVE A WOMANS LIFE THAT SHE IS LIVING IN THE GARBAGE HEAPS OF THAILAND.
LibraryThing member Carolee888
This is the second book that I have read about people living in a dump; the other one was set in India, this one is a big contrast to the other one, this is a book of hope rather than hopelessness.
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright gives a look into the life of trash pickers living in a huge dump
Their daily life is roasting hot, dirty from the discarded articles, muddy from the rains, dangerous because of the smoldering piles, files and vermin. What they retrieve from the dump is not a living but sometimes enough to sell to buy rice and if they are lucky. They are forbidden to build houses so they look for materials from the dump to build three walls and use a canvas cover to block the rain. Their clothing, cooking pots and all other possessions came from the dump.
Sang Li is poor but is not aware of what people take for granted outside of the dump. This is her world. Her baby boy, Nissay is constantly sick with diarrhea and can’t keep any food down so he doesn’t grow. This is a constant worry of his parents. Sang Li’s husband is Kim Lim, a hard working picker and loving father and husband.
You would think that the pickers wouldn’t have to pay rent because of where they live But Sopeap Sin, aka the Cow collects the rent every month. She seems to be just a very angry old drunk woman who hates everything except her high grade wine. But because of what Kim Lim find in the trash one day, all of their lives change including the rent collector.
and the fact that they build their own day shelters.
This story is much than what it is a life of daily survival in the dump; it is the story of hope, understanding, redemption and secrets dating back the Pol Pots’ devastating regime.
I recommend this book highly because of the strong message of hope and the many questions for thought that it generates. One of them being, don’t be to judge people. Read this book, you will learn!
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review; I did not receive any financial compensation. The review reflects my own thoughts and feelings.
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright gives a look into the life of trash pickers living in a huge dump
Show More
of Cambodia.Their daily life is roasting hot, dirty from the discarded articles, muddy from the rains, dangerous because of the smoldering piles, files and vermin. What they retrieve from the dump is not a living but sometimes enough to sell to buy rice and if they are lucky. They are forbidden to build houses so they look for materials from the dump to build three walls and use a canvas cover to block the rain. Their clothing, cooking pots and all other possessions came from the dump.
Sang Li is poor but is not aware of what people take for granted outside of the dump. This is her world. Her baby boy, Nissay is constantly sick with diarrhea and can’t keep any food down so he doesn’t grow. This is a constant worry of his parents. Sang Li’s husband is Kim Lim, a hard working picker and loving father and husband.
You would think that the pickers wouldn’t have to pay rent because of where they live But Sopeap Sin, aka the Cow collects the rent every month. She seems to be just a very angry old drunk woman who hates everything except her high grade wine. But because of what Kim Lim find in the trash one day, all of their lives change including the rent collector.
and the fact that they build their own day shelters.
This story is much than what it is a life of daily survival in the dump; it is the story of hope, understanding, redemption and secrets dating back the Pol Pots’ devastating regime.
I recommend this book highly because of the strong message of hope and the many questions for thought that it generates. One of them being, don’t be to judge people. Read this book, you will learn!
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review; I did not receive any financial compensation. The review reflects my own thoughts and feelings.
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LibraryThing member RobynELee
great book!
LibraryThing member anacskie
There are times that life is so frustrating and you're on the verge of giving up hope. And no amount of kind words from your family and friends could console you. All you want to do is to escape and try to temporarily forget. Then you came across this book...a book that gives you hope, inspires you
Philippines, have their own Stung Meanchey, we call it Smokey Mountain. I have never been there but have heard a lot of stories about the place. It's a dump and it's also a dangerous place. But sometimes you hear stories of hope that truly inspires you. Stories about people who in spite of their adversities rise up and pursue their dreams.
The story revolves around Sang Ly, her husband Ki Lim and their sick son Nisay. And how one day Sang Ly discovered the secret of the Rent Collector, Sopeap Sin. A secret that change both Sang Ly's life and Sopeap's life. A beautiful story about never giving up hope and also about redemption. It also made me laughed most especially with Sang Ly's innocence and naivety.
But not only that, I also have learn some literature history lessons from this book. I found out that each countries in the world have their own version of Cinderella story. And that the Cambodian version is called Sarann. I also found out that William Shakespeare's rumored inspiration for Romeo and Juliet is actually an old story called Pyramus and Thisbe. It is very interesting.
Definitely, a beautiful book and I'm looking forward to read more books from this author.
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and warms your heart. Yes, this is that kind of book. It gives you hope, courage and even makes you count your blessings.Philippines, have their own Stung Meanchey, we call it Smokey Mountain. I have never been there but have heard a lot of stories about the place. It's a dump and it's also a dangerous place. But sometimes you hear stories of hope that truly inspires you. Stories about people who in spite of their adversities rise up and pursue their dreams.
The story revolves around Sang Ly, her husband Ki Lim and their sick son Nisay. And how one day Sang Ly discovered the secret of the Rent Collector, Sopeap Sin. A secret that change both Sang Ly's life and Sopeap's life. A beautiful story about never giving up hope and also about redemption. It also made me laughed most especially with Sang Ly's innocence and naivety.
But not only that, I also have learn some literature history lessons from this book. I found out that each countries in the world have their own version of Cinderella story. And that the Cambodian version is called Sarann. I also found out that William Shakespeare's rumored inspiration for Romeo and Juliet is actually an old story called Pyramus and Thisbe. It is very interesting.
Definitely, a beautiful book and I'm looking forward to read more books from this author.
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LibraryThing member anacskie
There are times that life is so frustrating and you're on the verge of giving up hope. And no amount of kind words from your family and friends could console you. All you want to do is to escape and try to temporarily forget. Then you came across this book...a book that gives you hope, inspires you
Philippines, have their own Stung Meanchey, we call it Smokey Mountain. I have never been there but have heard a lot of stories about the place. It's a dump and it's also a dangerous place. But sometimes you hear stories of hope that truly inspires you. Stories about people who in spite of their adversities rise up and pursue their dreams.
The story revolves around Sang Ly, her husband Ki Lim and their sick son Nisay. And how one day Sang Ly discovered the secret of the Rent Collector, Sopeap Sin. A secret that change both Sang Ly's life and Sopeap's life. A beautiful story about never giving up hope and also about redemption. It also made me laughed most especially with Sang Ly's innocence and naivety.
But not only that, I also have learn some literature history lessons from this book. I found out that each countries in the world have their own version of Cinderella story. And that the Cambodian version is called Sarann. I also found out that William Shakespeare's rumored inspiration for Romeo and Juliet is actually an old story called Pyramus and Thisbe. It is very interesting.
Definitely, a beautiful book and I'm looking forward to read more books from this author.
Show More
and warms your heart. Yes, this is that kind of book. It gives you hope, courage and even makes you count your blessings.Philippines, have their own Stung Meanchey, we call it Smokey Mountain. I have never been there but have heard a lot of stories about the place. It's a dump and it's also a dangerous place. But sometimes you hear stories of hope that truly inspires you. Stories about people who in spite of their adversities rise up and pursue their dreams.
The story revolves around Sang Ly, her husband Ki Lim and their sick son Nisay. And how one day Sang Ly discovered the secret of the Rent Collector, Sopeap Sin. A secret that change both Sang Ly's life and Sopeap's life. A beautiful story about never giving up hope and also about redemption. It also made me laughed most especially with Sang Ly's innocence and naivety.
But not only that, I also have learn some literature history lessons from this book. I found out that each countries in the world have their own version of Cinderella story. And that the Cambodian version is called Sarann. I also found out that William Shakespeare's rumored inspiration for Romeo and Juliet is actually an old story called Pyramus and Thisbe. It is very interesting.
Definitely, a beautiful book and I'm looking forward to read more books from this author.
Show Less
LibraryThing member grigoro
Inspiring.
An illiterate woman living the the garbage dump (and eeking out a living picking through the garbage for things to sell) learns how to read.
The title is who teaches her to read.
An illiterate woman living the the garbage dump (and eeking out a living picking through the garbage for things to sell) learns how to read.
The title is who teaches her to read.
LibraryThing member ccheripka
Loved the story of how the soul can soar above the chains of poverty with the help of the written word and the love of reading...
LibraryThing member Brumby18
Really liked the story and the writing. had a bit to get into it ( garbage aint my thing) but then found the lyric and enjoyed it. I liked the camarderie of the village in such squallor.
LibraryThing member bereanna
Well written hopeful book in which the main character lives in a dump in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Despite a sick son, dismal living conditions, and little hope for the future, sang Ly dreams, learns to read by befriending the rent collector, and appreciates who she has in her life.
LibraryThing member judithrs
The Rent Collector. Camron Wright. 2012. Sang Ly and her husband Ki Lim live with their sick baby in the largest garbage dump in Cambodia. They subsist, barely, by gathering and selling things they find in the dump. It is a hard, hard life but they love each other and their baby. They have friends
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and family near. Sang Ly accidentally discovers that the vile, hateful old woman who collects the rent and constantly threatens to evict them can read! She convinces the Rent Collector to teach her to read. Very gradually as Sang slowly learns to read, she slowly learns the story of how college literature professor from a wealthy family becomes a lowly rent collector and her life as well as the lives of her family are changed. A testament to the human spirit. Very uplifting. Writing is somewhat pedestrian Show Less
LibraryThing member hamiltonpam
This is a story that stays with you, will put things in perspective. We in the West live with so much!! Then you hear a story of a life where they are grateful even with so little. Highly recommend.
LibraryThing member zmagic69
This reads like non fiction and as it turns out the characters in the book are real people but the story is made up. Some good basic history of Cambodia though it is very light.
The narrator is a little too polished considering where she is in life.
In the end a bit of an uplifting book with a
The narrator is a little too polished considering where she is in life.
In the end a bit of an uplifting book with a
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lesson to be taught. Show Less
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2014)
Land Of Enchantment Book Award (Nominee — 2024)
Whitney Award (Winner — 2012)
Pages
288
ISBN
1609077059 / 9781609077051
UPC
783027077056