What We Are Reading Today: Under the Naga Tail
This book is a courageous and poignant memoir of a young man's daring escape from Cambodia's genocidal regime.
Forced from his home by the Khmer Rouge, teenager Mae Taing struggles to endure years of backbreaking work, constant starvation, and ruthless cruelty from his captors — supposed freedom fighters who turned against their own people. Mae risks torture and death to escape into the dark tropical jungles, trekking across a relentless wilderness crawling with soldiers, according to a review on goodreads.com.
This gripping and inspiring memoir is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and prevail in spite of great adversity.
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Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: Under the Naga Tail
Author: Mae Bunseng Taing This book is a courageous and poignant memoir of a young man's daring escape from Cambodia's genocidal regime. Forced from his home by the Khmer Rouge, teenager Mae Taing struggles to endure years of backbreaking work, constant starvation, and ruthless cruelty from his captors — supposed freedom fighters who turned against their own people. Mae risks torture and death to escape into the dark tropical jungles, trekking across a relentless wilderness crawling with soldiers, according to a review on This gripping and inspiring memoir is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and prevail in spite of great adversity.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Arab News
‘Hostage,' Eli Sharabi's memoir about life in Hamas captivity, is coming to the US
NEW YORK: A memoir by an Israeli man held in captivity for more than a year by Hamas is coming out this fall in the US Eli Sharabi's 'Hostage,' written in Hebrew and already a bestseller in Israel, is the first published memoir by anyone kidnapped by Hamas during the deadly surprise attack of Oct. 7, 2023. Harper Influence, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Tuesday that the English-language edition of his book will come out this Oct. 7, the 2-year anniversary. Sharabi, 53, was released in early February and has said that he had shrunk to under 100 pounds — less than the weight of his youngest daughter, who was killed along with his wife and older daughter. More than 1,000 were killed in the attack and more than 200 taken hostage. 'It was important to me that the story come out as quickly as possible, so that the world will understand what life is like inside captivity,' Sharabi said in a statement. 'Once they do, they will not be able to remain indifferent. But I also want readers to know that even in the darkest of times, you can always seek out the light and choose humanity.' According to Harper Influence, Sharabi writes about his experience with his captors in 'stark, unflinching prose, detailing the relationships the hostages formed with one another, including Alon Ohel, still a hostage in Gaza, with whom Sharabi formed an unbreakable father-son bond.' 'Along the way, Sharabi reveals how his faith gave him the resilience to endure the horrific conditions and overcome mental anguish,' the announcement reads in part.
Al Arabiya
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- Al Arabiya
Fugitive capybara caught by China zoo after two months on the run
Officials have captured the last member of a runaway capybara gang that escaped from a zoo in eastern China two months ago, a statement said Tuesday. The missing female rodent, named 'Doubao' -- 'Bean Bun' in Chinese -- absconded from an enclosure at the Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area along with two other capybaras in early April. Doubao remained at large for weeks after her companions were caught by zoo officials. 'The runaway child has returned home!' the zoo wrote in a social media post. The capybara walked into a humane trap early Tuesday morning and was returned to her enclosure by zoo staff. Despite spending two months on the run, Doubao gained weight and her fur was still 'smooth and glossy,' the zoo said. 'It looks like she was doing well out there!' it added. A video published by the zoo showed Doubao sniffing around a cage and pawing at its sides while a person can be heard saying 'welcome home Doubao.' Capybaras are native to South America but in recent years have become popular attractions at zoos worldwide, with the semi-aquatic rodents becoming unlikely darlings of the internet. The zoo said the trio made their April breakout when another capybara Bazong -- 'Big Shot' -- broke through a fence. Bazong was later found relaxing in a lake. It took seven or eight zoo staff to trap the second accomplice, Duoduo or 'Hide Hide,' in a rubbish bin. But Doubao eluded capture, with the zoo in May issuing a mock wanted poster accusing her of engaging in a mass jailbreak. Officials at one point offered a reward of frozen fried rice, a carton of eggs, capybara-themed merchandise and lifetime entry to the zoo to anyone with information about her whereabouts.
