By Jessica HarrisonDeseret News
Published: Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009
"UNPOLISHED GEM: My Mother, My Grandmother, and Me," by Alice Pung, Plume, 304 pages, $15, softcover
In 1974, the Khmer Rouge army headed by the dictator Pol Pot took over Cambodia, ruthlessly initiating a communist program that forced the entire population to work as laborers on collective farms.
The regime persecuted or eliminated anyone in opposition, as well as professionals and intellectuals. Minority groups — ethnic Vietnamese, ethnic Thai, ethnic Chinese, Cham Muslims, Christians and Buddhists — were the demographic targets of persecution.
As ethnic Chinese, writer Alice Pung's family was among thousands who fled the killing fields of Cambodia.
After walking from Cambodia, across Vietnam to Thailand, the Pungs were placed in refugee camp. A year later, they were relocated to Australia, where Alice was born shortly after their arrival.
In "Unpolished Gem," Alice shares her family's trials and triumphs as they try to build a new life in a strange and fascinating new country.
When the Pungs arrive in Australia, they are amazed at the outpouring of generosity.
Not only are they given clothes and a place to live, but they get a check each month from the government, too.
And what luxuries the country offers. Who knew that pushing a black squishy button could make cars stop for pedestrians?
Water coming clean from the tap is unheard of, and the novelty of an escalator keeps them entertained for hours.
Shopping at a grocery store is a huge transition. The aisles and aisles of food in colorful packages leave Alice's mother in awe. Overwhelmed by the experience, the family can't believe their luck, buying cans of meat that are inexpensive and tasty.
It's only when they see a commercial on TV that they realize the meat is not for humans. Such wonders that dogs in Australia should eat so well, they can't help but think.
As the years pass by and the family puts down roots, Alice finds herself straddling two worlds — East and West.
Her family wants her to take advantage of the education offered and assimilate into society.
At the same time she is expected to carry out traditions of her parents' homeland, preparing herself for the day when she marries an Asian doctor who they may or may not choose for her.
"Unpolished Gem" is poignant tale of potential and heartbreak. Pung's natural storytelling abilities shine through as she focuses on the fragile relationships between three generations of women — Alice, her mother and paternal grandmother.
Though set in Australia, Pung's memoir is one American readers will easily identify with.
In fact, if it weren't for different uses of words like "trolley" or "jumper," "Unpolished Gem" could have taken place in anywhere U.S.
Pung's sophisticated and humorous prose is mature beyond her years. Enveloping the reader from the start, this comfortable, intelligent and inviting writing style captures the magic of her childhood imagination, anxieties of adolescence and the hope of young adulthood.
Tender and insightful, "Unpolished Gem" is well worth a read.
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