Title: Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace
Author: Kim Phuc Phan Thi
Major Themes: Vietnam War, Hope, Healing
Synopsis: The story of the napalm girl’s journey to hope, healing, and forgiveness through Jesus.
I first heard of Kim Phuc Phan Thi when I was listening to an interview on Focus on the Family. When she mentioned her book, I knew I wanted to read it sometime—the interview was far too short to ever possibly include all of her life’s story!—but it took several years before that wish became a reality.
Kim Phuc was nine when the war came to her Vietnamese village. There had been small skirmishes before, and the adults sometimes talked about it—but as a youngster, Kim paid little attention to the rumors, immersing herself in school, play, and the occasional chance to sneak away and read one of her favorite books. But one day, when the fighting got too close, she and some of the other parents and children in their village had to hide in the local temple. Soon, however, napalm bombs were dropped on their hiding place—and Kim found herself running away from the scene, her clothes burned away and skin seared by the toxic flames. A press photographer happened to be there that day, and captured the scene, creating one of the most iconic images of the war. Kim, meanwhile, was left for dead in a morgue. But God had other plans for her life.
Though some memoirs can tend to feel a bit dry, Fire Road never was. It kept my interest up all the way through—even after Kim’s life started to settle down a bit. Watching her go through everything was a testament to God’s overwhelming goodness. Even in the times when her life seemed to go all wrong—at the wrong place, at the wrong time—God guided her steps. And that, I feel, is the true joy of the believer: The steady trust in a God who never fails. Kim’s physical wounds healed, at least to some extent—but then she had government officials constantly after her, using her to speak their propaganda. Eventually, she moved to Cuba…which is very difficult to escape from, once you’re there. But God was with her in that, too.
I came away from this book greatly encouraged. The trials we go through today may be extraordinarily difficult, but we have a God who is in control—even of the minutest details, like having Kim be placed in a morgue for several days, though she was still alive! Prepare to be challenged and inspired by this story. It’s a good one.
WARNING: In chapter 1, a woman sees people being blown up by a bomb outside of her shop, and end of the chapter a little girl sees a bomb exploding. Chapters 2-3 describe how a girl is badly burned and nearly dies. Chapters 4-5 have some descriptions of burned flesh and how a mother finds her child in the morgue with some gruesome details around that. Children are threatened with death by robbers in chapter 6. Chapter 9 speaks of seeing decapitated animals and soldiers’ bodies. A woman contemplates suicide in chapter 12, and in chapter 19, a woman remembers seeing people jump off a balcony to commit suicide. Chapter 24 has a mention of women’s cycles as a woman was wanting to get pregnant.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Book Depository: Paperback
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