Literature from across the Orient
From the earliest Campfires… came the beginnings of stories in practice… from our historical records language then developed and spread around the entire globe… and with that culture grew and turned on itself and empires rose and fell… and still in that time… stories remained.
Acting out these world that come from where?
Around the world woke up those… those that paint pictures with words… convey a story in a way that it engrosses the reader to want to hold on to the message. As with our ancestors, we may retain the urgency of conveying the danger outside the cave or the importance of the hunt, but for whatever the cause literature began the long walk to where we are today and because of act of writing itself, we have these treasures for all time.
My story began in 1986 England… The same year Chernobyl in Russia faced its catastrophe…
I was born to a Thai Mother and Irish Father which has played a very instrumental part in how I’ve grown to see the world around me. Learning a lot of our close neighbours through our education system… I never really knew or looked back East for a long time…
Now I have theres a lot to come…
But I wanted to present back to you just a peek of what I saw… whilst we work on our own projects
What I hope to continue monthly – Bringing you unknown stories from all around the world… Because… Every good story has great hook.
The international community knows Thailand for its serene beaches, exotic elephants and amazing cuisine but there is more to this jewel of a country than meets the eye. Thailand has a rich history telling amazing stories that inspire one’s imagination, entertain the heart and uplift the human spirit. Many of these stories are unknown to people outside of Asia which is why we are going to try and give a brief overview of Thai literature and its significance to the world.
Many Lives by Kukrit Pramoj
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Mr. Pramoj is the Thomas Jefferson of his country being one of the most important figures in all of Thai history. He grew up as a member of the Thai Royal Family and went on to become a dignified statesman, scholar and the 13th prime minister of his country.
He wrote Many Lives in 1954 which is arguably his best novel. The story begins with a ferry crush in which 11 strangers all lose their lives in a tragic instant. Each of the book’s 11 chapters focuses on the life of each passenger and what led them to this singular moment. Inspired when Mr. Pramoj witnessed a bus accident and as he looked at the unsightly scene of mutilated bodies scattered around he wondered what their lives were like.
The book uses the different characters to try and show how different people in society are affected by circumstances not of their choosing. Social status and gender for example dictate how society treats different characters. A child wishing to live up to her parents’ wishes pushes herself to the point of self destruction.
“Many Lives” shows how unwritten rules and expectations in 50’s era Thailand dominated people’s lives and led them to make tragic choices in an effort to improve their position in life. These choices sometimes led to dangerous and unforeseen outcomes that inevitably failed to bear their intended fruits.
Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad
This fictional story takes the plot structure of David Mitchel’s Cloud Atlas a fantastic story to its own which was made into a movie a couple years back Staring Tom Hanks and Halle Barry, check it out if you want to see the mind bendy genre on screen. The novel is told in 23 chapters that feel like independent short stories. The characters are separated in both time and space but as the book progresses it becomes clear that they are actually connected to each other.
One plot line follows Mr. Stevens who is an American working in Thailand as a missionary. His story based in the 19th century; harbours a deep suspicion of the Thai people whom he feels do not appreciate the value of western civilisation. He hopes to be recalled back to New England where he can be surrounded by friends and an easier culture.
Another thread in the fabric of the story involves Clyde, an American jazz musician in Bangkok during the Vietnam war. He has been estranged from his band partner and romantic interest and this has created a void he has been unable to fill.
The main story however focuses on two sisters called Nee and Nok whose relationship over the years have grown colder due to Noks’ relationship with a Thai military officer who in turn guilty of brutal crimes during the country’s dictatorship further strained due to the fact Nee’s own lover was killed by the very same government after he protested against their corruption.
These seemingly unrelated stories gradually morph into a coherent orchestra as it becomes clear that each individual player is merely a small part in a much larger performance. This story shows that small choices can have radical ramifications down the line for people that one has never even met. This book is a true gem of creativity and highlights the pinnacle of Thai literature.
Sightseeing by Rattawut Lapcharoensap
Not many people can boast of having an award winning Novel at age twenty five and so Mr. Lapcharoensap has a right to be proud of this achievement.
This masterful work so eloquently named sightseeing tells six stories moving between tales incorporating young love, financial struggles, cultural change.
The opening story which won the author an award ‘Farangs’ it tells the story of a humble native boy who falls in love with a beautiful foreign tourist. The boy; Son of a simple motel owner and so it becomes a competition between David and Goliath when the girls larger than life American boyfriend finds out about them. While the plot line may seem a little conventional what makes it stand out and become unique is because of the way in which the story is told. Without ruining the tale for itself, the description of the beautiful beach scenery and the emotional burden of cultural expectations creates a vivid picture of life in this beautiful slice of heaven.
The story feels sensual and rich plus it carries you emotionally through each characters struggles. For such a young author displaying such a masterly approach to story telling and character development nowhere is this clearer than the chapter on Anek; A twelve year old boy who after loosing his father tries to become closer to his brother only to be driven into a nihilistic world of drugs and depravity.
Jasmine Nights by S.P. Somtow
The 1994 classic is recognised by the international community and not just the Thai people. Jasmine Nights story is pretty simple. A twelve year boy called little frog by his close family but Justin to everyone else goes through some profound changes in his life.
Going on to live with his three aunts who descend from aristocratic privilege and an uncle who scares him; they are charged with raising him until he is old enough to attend the posh school of Eton where many European aristocratic children go to learn.
Justin finds his aunts to have weird behaviours and he does not appreciate Thai culture which he views as backward and redundant. He even prefers to eat bacon and eggs so he can begin to adapt to European culture quicker. He views the western values of reason and rational equality to be agree with his sensibilities and decides to try and mould himself and others to these ends. Viewing himself as an enlightened pioneer he sets out to begin the radical task of converting his classmates away from their traditional bigotry.
The book is pretty interesting in that it tries to tackle serious cultural issues by using the mind of an intelligent… but still child. The different perspectives displayed shed light on what motivates both the conservative and liberal mind at the time as to get both sides to sympathise with each other so neither one feeling dominates the tale then the other and what remains at heart is a compelling story within another world close to our own.
And if that isn’t enough for you theres more from where they came from.
Until then check out https://www.everythingthai.co.uk
Make a date to step out of the day life into some paradise.
Patrick Fennessey 