A collaborative creative writing Stanford class project to write a 224 page graphic novel over six weeks, resulted in “Shake Girl” and the results are now available as a free online book. I read it today and was very impressed. The story is based on real events, and its purpose is to raise awareness of violence against women in Cambodia. It’s not a happy story but I’m glad I read it. From journalist Eric Pape’s original article on the tragic story of Tat Marina whose story inspired the book:
The government …is dominated by former Khmer Rouge members who have shown their willingness to use any means necessary to retain their positions of power, from the murder of political opponents to widespread spying and torture. In high society, wives are prepared to battle tooth and nail to avoid losing their husbands and thus their social status to “second wives.” There is even a traditional Cambodian warning to pretty young girls: Beware of powerful men: They may kill you if you refuse their advances. And beware of their wives: They may kill you if you do not.
Link to Eric Pape article.
