Pol Pot's reign tore apart the lives of one fifth of the population in Cambodia during the period stretching from 1975 to 1989. Luong Ung's `First They Killed My Father' exemplifies the extent of power one must possess to overcome the adversity and hardships of the civil war. It becomes apparent family ties drive the majority of the power within the characters. The family ties illustrated in the Ung family gives the remaining family members the might to survive and also a sufficient reason to fight. They further prove valuable, as one experiencing Pol Pot's upheaval needs immeasurable support.

It is evident that the impact of family bonds contributes to the survival of those who endured Pol Pot's reign. The family make immense sacrifices for one another, these carry significant risks to their lives. Despite this, the family...