Patricia McCormick - Author of “Never Fall Down”

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, we sit down with Patricia McCormick, a two-time National Book Award finalist and the acclaimed author of Never Fall Down, a powerful novel based on the true story of Arne Chorn-Pond, a boy who survived the Khmer Rouge by playing music. With a background in journalism and a passion for storytelling, McCormick has spent her career shedding light on issues of trauma, healing, and resilience, tackling difficult subjects such as child soldiers, human trafficking, and genocide in her critically acclaimed books.

We talk about the challenges of writing about real-life atrocities, the emotional toll of interviewing survivors, and the importance of preserving history through literature. McCormick shares her experiences working closely with Arne, how music became a lifeline for him in the killing fields, and why storytelling is a vital tool for both healing and historical awareness.

This conversation is a deep dive into the responsibility of writers in shaping how future generations understand genocide, war, and survival. It also highlights why survivors’ voices matter and how books like Never Fall Down serve as crucial records of Cambodia’s painful history.