The Rent Collector

Author: Camron Wright

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published Date: August 2012/October 2013 (Paperback)

Hardcover/Paperback/Audible/Kindle/Nook: 304 pages

Genre: General Fiction

ISBN# 978-1609071226

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a softcover ARC in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Goodreads)

Survival for Ki Lim and Sang Ly is a daily battle at Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. They make their living scavenging recyclables from the trash. Life would be hard enough without the worry for their chronically ill child, Nisay, and the added expense of medicines that are not working. Just when things seem worst, Sang Ly learns a secret about the bad-tempered rent collector who comes demanding money–a secret that sets in motion a tide that will change the life of everyone it sweeps past. The Rent Collector is a story of hope, of one woman’s journey to save her son and another woman’s chance at redemption.

Review

The Rent Collector is a humbling read that taught me a little about Cambodian history and a lot about human nature, hope, sacrifice, and love.

I can honestly say I’ve never read a book quite like The Rent Collector. It is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a young woman, Sang Ly, and her husband, Ki Lim, who support their little family by picking through the garbage at the dump to find recyclable items they can exchange for enough money for food to eat that day.

Sang Ly strongly dislikes Sopeap Sin, the woman they call the Rent Collector, because she is harsh and angry. But when she comes to collect rent one day, her reaction to a book Ki Lim found and brought home for their son causes Sang Ly to realize that the woman she hates could be the one to help her give her son a better life–if she agrees to teach Sang Ly how to read.

The events that follow Sang Ly’s request result in her seeing Sopeap in a way she never could before. She learns that Sopeap used to be a teacher of literature, and that she suffered something horrible in her past that causes her to drink so much rice wine. When Sang Ly is ready to move beyond basics and begin studying literature, Sopeap agrees to continue their lessons. It is then that Sang Ly’s education truly begins.

Whether we like it or not, hope is written so deeply into our hearts that we just can’t help ourselves, no matter how hard we try otherwise.  –page 125

I truly enjoyed reading The Rent Collector. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was soon caught up in the story and couldn’t put it down. As Sang Ly’s heart changed regarding the calloused and angry woman some called the Cow, I found my heart changing as well. I was reminded that everyone has a story. I liked Sang Ly’s personality and voice, and loved watching her grow as a character.

As I sit on my comfortable couch, pausing to eat a filling and balanced meal, clean drinking water only a few steps away, I have no way of knowing what the type of life Sang Ly lives would be like. Yet she is able to find happiness living her simple life, and feels privileged to have gained the ability to read with hope for a better future for her son.

The Rent Collector is a memorable read, one that will stay with me for a long time. It’s a perfect choice for book groups, providing plenty of discussion material. I highly recommend The Rent Collector to everyone.

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