Ruling Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge were the Communist Party of Kampuchea led by Pol Pot and his followers in the state known as Democratic Kampuchea. The regime was notorious for social engineering resulting in mass murder, famine, diseases, arbitrary executions, and even purges and torture of its own members for violations such as engaging in free market activity. Once the Khmer Rouge regime fell, the remaining guerrilla forces became known as the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea. The party itself was dissolved in 1981, to be substituted by the Party of Democratic Kampuchea, itself in turn succeeded (1993–94) by the Cambodian National Unity Party. Both Sara – also called Navy Cheap – and Kimberly (Chapter 10) lived through the Khmer Rouge period. Each has a quite different response to that time.

Q. Hi, Auntie. How are you?

Good, good. Still hungry [after Thanksgiving]. So what you want to know?

Q. How old are you, Auntie?

Me? Old; next question.

Q. Aren’t you just around forty, though? About mid-forties?

Yeah, forty [is a] good number. [Sara laughed.]