Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of In the Shadow of the Banyan
Historical Fiction· Cambodia

In the Shadow of the Banyan

by Vaddey Ratner
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2012English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner is a landmark work of historical fiction, first published in 2012. Vaddey Ratner's novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a young girl's survival during the Khmer Rouge era. Through lyrical prose, the book explores themes of loss, hope, and the enduring power of storytelling. It is acclaimed for its ability to convey the beauty and brutality of Cambodia's history, offering readers a poignant and immersive experience. Themes of loss and hope, family, identity run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorVaddey Ratner
Published2012
Country of Origin🇰🇭 Cambodia
LanguageEnglish
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9781451657708
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇰🇭 Cambodia

This book is part of Cambodia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Cambodia →

Editorial Assessment

In the Shadow of the Banyan intricately weaves the personal and political, as Vaddey Ratner recounts a childhood shattered by the Khmer Rouge regime through the eyes of a young girl. The narrative's lyrical prose contrasts starkly with the horrific realities of war, exploring themes of memory, survival, and the longing for home. Ratner's own experiences lend authenticity to this poignant tale of resilience, making it a significant contribution to the literature on Cambodia's tumultuous history.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
list · global
20120
✍️
About the Author
Vaddey Ratner
Cambodia
View Author →

Vaddey Ratner is a Cambodia author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Employees
The Management Companion
Happy Employees
What Evolution Tells You About Leading People
Lead with human nature, and your team won’t just perform — they’ll thrive.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Tin Drum
literary-fiction

The Tin Drum

Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
Cover of Celestial Bodies
literary-fiction

Celestial Bodies

Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is In the Shadow of the Banyan about?

Vaddey Ratner's novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a young girl's survival during the Khmer Rouge era. Through lyrical prose, the book explores themes of loss, hope, and the enduring power of storytelling. It is acclaimed for its ability to convey the beauty and brutality of Cambodia's history, offering readers a poignant and immersive experience.

Who wrote In the Shadow of the Banyan?

In the Shadow of the Banyan was written by Vaddey Ratner, from Cambodia. First published in 2012.

What awards has In the Shadow of the Banyan won?

In the Shadow of the Banyan has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is In the Shadow of the Banyan worth reading?

In the Shadow of the Banyan is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in loss and hope, family, identity.

Where can I buy In the Shadow of the Banyan?

You can buy In the Shadow of the Banyan on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is In the Shadow of the Banyan?

In the Shadow of the Banyan is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is In the Shadow of the Banyan from?

In the Shadow of the Banyan originates from Cambodia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Cambodia on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🗺️More Historical FictionBrowse all Historical Fiction books🇰🇭Books from Cambodia🇰🇭 Cambodia literature📅2010s BooksPublished in the 2010s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time