Review them novels based in Bangkok

[The Gentleman Scamp]

For an inanimate object, i.e. a book - to capture my attention and keep me focused for more than two minutes is rare, it has to be a very good read. In the UK recently I very much enjoyed 'A bit of a blur' The biography of cheese loving Blur bass player Alex James. Gordon Ramsay's 'Playing with fire' was more of a struggle and only really lasted me the Easyjet flight from Luton to Aberdeen.

Novels based in Thailand or Bangkok all seem to be about bargirls and/or corruption and murder and wear a bit thin after reading the rear cover of half a dozen - either that or they are real life accounts of life in the Bangkok Hilton etc... all been done before.

I have managed to get through only three books of this genre in my 7 years here, and they are Stephen Leathers Private Dancer, The Damage Done(Warren Fellows) and Murder at the Horny Toad Bar and other short stories - the latter being the most enjoyable, and that was by a bloke called Dean Barrett.

A friend recently dumped some books with me including Pole Dancer by some one calling himself R.D. Lawrence - because for some reason authors think it sounds godlike to have your first and middle name in initials, I managed a few pages of that last night but and it was actually not too bad but was written in that irksome style of goody goody farang author that only observes and reserches from a distance the seedy night life, but that might be just be me being a cock.

I also have John Burdett's Bangkok Tattoo which I have been assured is a good read but only if one has read Bangkok 8 beforehand which I have not as I don't have it. I once acquired the aptly named Yawn by Collin Piprell and ummm, well any one of these authors could be a member here so I ain't gonna give any strong reviews.

What do y'all recommend when it comes to books written by blokes in Thailand......and does anybody care to do a temporary swap of Tattoo for 8?

[Humbert]

Try The Falcon of Siam by Axel Aylwyn. A swashbuckling tale of early Siam. Most of the books about farangs and bar girls are pure tripe.

[The Gentleman Scamp]

Most of the books about farangs and bar girls are pure tripe.

That's actually what I wanted to say but most of the authors are probably members here so I posted in the manner of glass being half full. Last time I gave somebody a negative review it turns out they were dying of cancer.

[Humbert]

Most of the books about farangs and bar girls are pure tripe.

That's actually what I wanted to say but most of the authors are probably members here so I posted in the manner of glass being half full. Last time I gave somebody a negative review it turns out they were dying of cancer.

I guess there are probably some good ones but the genre is just so exploitive. Farang visits Thailand, Farang becomes enchanted with Thailand, Farang buys books to get a Thailand fix at home. Writer cashes in.

[rickda]

I agree that most books are about being in Thai Jails or the outcome for whorists who become infatuated with a bargirl.

That said I think Private Dancer should be read by all as a bewareguide on flights to BKK and A Farang Strikes back is also good.

I have read Bangkok Tattoo and not Bangkok 8 and it was still a good read

[Bobcock]

I read Bangkok 8, it was readable but I can't say it inspired.

Private Dancer is every cliche rolled into one unbelievable volume. A light hearted read but I wouldn't pay for a copy.

Butterfly Trap was a more pleasant read, certain more like the reality of the bar scene that I see and more how I would imagine a newbies experiences would go as opposed to PD.

The Private Eye Books by Warren Olsen are OK, the first is ghost written by Stephen Leather in the style of a 1920's detective.....I hated the style and the repetition of Warren's standard phrases. The second book written exclusivly by Warren is an easier read.

[killerbees]

I'd agree with someone up above... you don't need to read Bangkok 8 to read Bangkok Tattoo. They were both okay, not great or even all that good.

Most of the books I've seen written by expats in Bangkok/Thailand are of the "Joe-Joe was fed up with fat Western women and decided to fuck off to Thailand to bang hookers/meet the love of his life/teach English. There he met Noi/Lek/Somchai, a street-smart but tender-hearted strumpet who... blah blah blah... several drug deals gone wrong later, a trip to the Northeast, and Joe-Joe is a much wiser but slightly jaded individual." Just read the book by that douchebag who got done for LM a while back. Niccolaides, or something like that.

[killerbees]

Oops, forgot about this book. It was actually interesting, as it was written by a Thai but in English.

Sightseeing by Rattawut Lapcharoensap: Reviews

[Roger Ramjet]

When flying out of Phuket to Germany in April, I picked up a copy of "My Thai Girlfriend" on the Airport book stand...not the sort of book I normally select, ...but with a quick flick through, the style and quality of writing caught my fancy!
I found this book most entertaining, and extremely well written ....and often thought "been there ..done that" often finding myself myself audibly having a spontaneous "chuckle" . We spend most of the year in Australia, but usually spend at least a few weeks a year travelling on holiday in Thailand.
My fantastic X Isaan farmer/now Australian wife, also read it after we returned home to Australia, and it really proved the quality of the humour when she also frequently started to laugh out load. She was born and raised in a large Isaan family, and has been to England, so understood the unbiased descriptions of some of the really funny experiences and quaintness of the "English." We have passed the book on to friends who have never been to Thailand, and they also enjoyed it!
We both agreed we would like to look up the Author and his wife while touring in Isaan and have a beer with them!

[nidhogg]

I also have John Burdett's Bangkok Tattoo which I have been assured is a good read but only if one has read Bangkok 8 beforehand which I have not as I don't have it. I once acquired the aptly named Yawn by Collin Piprell and ummm, well any one of these authors could be a member here so I ain't gonna give any strong reviews.

What do y'all recommend when it comes to books written by blokes in Thailand......and does anybody care to do a temporary swap of Tattoo for 8?

Hmm. Yawn as stated was dull. Kicking dogs by the same author was however enjoyable.

"Platform" by Michel Houellebecq is a cut above the normal Thai based novels (think it is also published under another name).

really struggle with deans barratts books, find them too contrived. Think he has a web site somewhere.

Burdetts books pass a pleasant time reading. A bit above the normal run.

Christopher G. Moore churns them out. Personally think the first three are the best, and the very first, "A killing smile" the best of the lot.

If you are prepared to expand slightly geographically (at least down to malaysia), Anthony Burgess's "A malayan trilogy" is unbeatable.

[The Fresh Prince]

Solitary Man by Steven Leather

Story of a master jail breaker planted inside a Bangkok prison by the IRA to breakout one of their amigo's. Very enjoyable read, I couldn't put it down.

[madjbs]

^Yes, I thought that one was quite good to.

[rickda]

Solitary Man by Steven Leather

Story of a master jail breaker planted inside a Bangkok prison by the IRA to breakout one of their amigo's. Very enjoyable read, I couldn't put it down.

Sounds good will check it out

[forreachingme]

The worst i could just read a few lines is: last seen in Bangkok !

[rickda]

The worst i could just read a few lines is: last seen in Bangkok !

Is that down to not being able to read or the quality of the book???

[November Rain]

Try The Falcon of Siam by Axel Aylwyn. A swashbuckling tale of early Siam.

Yeah, that one's not too bad. A little fanciful, but still a good read & interesting to read about some early customs & traditions

[Humbert]

Try The Falcon of Siam by Axel Aylwyn. A swashbuckling tale of early Siam.

Yeah, that one's not too bad. A little fanciful, but still a good read & interesting to read about some early customs & traditions

Yes, a piece of fluff similar to Wilbur Smith's stuff. But at least it doesn't appeal only to purient interest.

[forreachingme]

Is that down to not being able to read or the quality of the book???[/quote]

Da Kwality !

Here from the preview :


Jeed, seductive as ever, was leaning back in her chair, right leg crossed over left and wearing his Wanderers top.

"Honey talk to me no talk to bottle," she exhaled a chest full of smoke and leaned towards him " I think you all the time and send for you e mail every day."

Vinny looked up and smiled, she leaned over and kissed his neck, he smiled again, and kissed her on the lips.

Hopefully after the scheming he'd done with Pete Jensen this was going to be the last time he he'd be returning to England. Pete had been on at him for a week and had closed his pitch two days previously with, "I know it's risky, but nothing ventured nothing gained. The greater the risk the higher the reward."

Pete had even made it sound legitimate. Vinny agreed so long as he didn't tell Jeed, shook his hand, scribbled his name and address on a scrap of paper and downed a shot of whiskey to celebrate the Rubicon he'd just agreed to cross.

Outside Soi Yamoto was bustling as normal. The midday Pattaya sun beat down on its host of misfit residents and bleached the signage of the bars, shops and guesthouses.

The usual assortment of farangs, long and short term sat around the bars in various states either recovering from yesterdays' abuse or embarking on another attempt at the drinking grand slam. They were all throwing their unspent baht about and girls in their twenties hung around hoping to catch a spare thousand or so.

"Honey you make me feel like young man again. I miss you at home," he'd been speaking a hybrid of English and Thai for a fortnight and was going to have to adjust to English again. He kicked the sports bag at his feet and gestured with his head towards the street, "We get Taxi airport now honey?"

Jeed started to lift off his football shirt.

"No no, keep. When Bolton play TV you wear and think of me."
It was three sizes too big for her and added to her waifish charm.


and bla bla bla, may be it is just a bad cutting choice ?? But that stuff is not my read, thanks...

[tjyflhol]

Agreed, I've tried with a few of those Bangkok novels and not been able to get through the first chapter, badly written and full of cliches and always seem to be about the same subjects.

Best book I have read based in Thailand is Alex Garland's 'The Beach', but it's not really about Thailand at all, just uses the country as a convenient location.

[Spin]

Last time I gave somebody a negative review it turns out they were dying of cancer.

You reviewed the food didn't you?, not the person. If I read the thread correctly.

[November Rain]

Is that down to not being able to read or the quality of the book???

Da Kwality !

Here from the preview :


Jeed, seductive as ever, was leaning back in her chair, right leg crossed over left and wearing his Wanderers top.

"Honey talk to me no talk to bottle," she exhaled a chest full of smoke and leaned towards him " I think you all the time and send for you e mail every day."

Vinny looked up and smiled, she leaned over and kissed his neck, he smiled again, and kissed her on the lips.

Hopefully after the scheming he'd done with Pete Jensen this was going to be the last time he he'd be returning to England. Pete had been on at him for a week and had closed his pitch two days previously with, "I know it's risky, but nothing ventured nothing gained. The greater the risk the higher the reward."

Pete had even made it sound legitimate. Vinny agreed so long as he didn't tell Jeed, shook his hand, scribbled his name and address on a scrap of paper and downed a shot of whiskey to celebrate the Rubicon he'd just agreed to cross.

Outside Soi Yamoto was bustling as normal. The midday Pattaya sun beat down on its host of misfit residents and bleached the signage of the bars, shops and guesthouses.

The usual assortment of farangs, long and short term sat around the bars in various states either recovering from yesterdays' abuse or embarking on another attempt at the drinking grand slam. They were all throwing their unspent baht about and girls in their twenties hung around hoping to catch a spare thousand or so.

"Honey you make me feel like young man again. I miss you at home," he'd been speaking a hybrid of English and Thai for a fortnight and was going to have to adjust to English again. He kicked the sports bag at his feet and gestured with his head towards the street, "We get Taxi airport now honey?"

Jeed started to lift off his football shirt.

"No no, keep. When Bolton play TV you wear and think of me."
It was three sizes too big for her and added to her waifish charm.


and bla bla bla, may be it is just a bad cutting choice ?? But that stuff is not my read, thanks...

Nauseatingly bad.


We have some better real life stories on here (somtamslap, Shitman & tsicar spring immediately to mind).

[patsycat]

Forget You Had a Daughter is good - or so I thought until I watched the woman in question on Banged up Abroad. Still, it was well written. Forgotten her name. Sandra Lawrence, i think.

[SEA Traveler]

Try The Falcon of Siam by Axel Aylwyn. A swashbuckling tale of early Siam. Most of the books about farangs and bar girls are pure tripe.

....and a magnificant sequel to "The Falcon of Siam" by the same author is"THE FALCON TAKES WINGS". Both real nice reads. Enjoy.

[Bangyai]

Try The Falcon of Siam by Axel Aylwyn. A swashbuckling tale of early Siam.

Yeah, that one's not too bad. A little fanciful, but still a good read & interesting to read about some early customs & traditions

Agree with NR .... not too bad but for a book about the same period you can do a lot better with ' Siamese White ' by Maurice Collis available on White Lotus publications ( I think ). Truth is a whole lot stranger than fiction here and this book is not a novel. It is the account of the doings of Samuel White from England in the services of King Narai. Very well written and is about Whites attempt to accumulate a vast fortune ( crookedly ) and flee with his ill gotten gains back to England. Riveting stuff and all true.

[Attilla the Hen]

Their books are the same price as books by main stream, world reknowned authors.
Why waste money on third rate writing?