Customer Reviews

A Killing Smile

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The true purpose and potential power of a novel is to give the reader, in an intimate, truthful and exciting way, a unique experience and insight into life in general, or lives in particular. Christopher G. Moore's works, set in Thailand, are such novels, and do both.

"A Killing Smile" is a compelling story that will introduce the reader to people and places that are fictional, but absolutely real in that Mr. Moore pulls no punches and spares no detail in telling his and therefore the characters' story.

This book will not be enjoyed by everyone however. It contains a few real world topics, places and people undoubtedly some readers would rather not admit exist or read about. However, the novel is fascinating. The characters are compelling.

Mr. Moore's fortunate readers (I have read ten of his books - I am a fan) get an honest portrait of human lives, no matter how distant from their own they may seem, filled with hope, love, pain, desire and despair - in short, the entire spectrum of the human condition. The characters are presented without judgment as to their lives' validity and worth. They are accepted and reflected as they are. One comes away with the true belief Mr. Moore finds respect and merit in all of his characters, and through them a respect for the Thai culture in its entirety, and all of mankind for that matter.

Mr. Moore's work appears to be a true reflection, without editorial distortion, of what he sees after years of living in Bangkok. I, having spent some time in Bangkok, the Thermae, Nana Plaza, Patpong and throughout Thailand, as well as time with some of the residents and those just passing through, find Mr. Moore's books (dense with images as visceral and real as any documentary) serve as actual road maps for the reader through the vast, and initially incomprehensible, world that is Bangkok and Thailand.

While Mr. Moore's books may not cure whatever ailments you may have, reading them will make living with those ailments a lot more bearable and interesting. His insights and philosophy help put life in its proper perspective. Start with "A Killing Smile" and work your way through the entire series set in Thailand. It will be a unique education and great reading.

This is the first novel by Christopher G. Moore that I read. It hooked me. I have read all of Moore's books that explore Southeast Asia. I studied Slavic literature in Poland and Chinese literature in Japan. I must say that I enjoy Moore's novels just as much or more than many of the classics. I think it is they way he brings a character to life that keeps me glued to each page. He shares with the world his keen observations about Thailand and life in general through his characters and the narrative voice. It is a definite read for people who would like to experience some excitement, humor and wisdom, and of course sheer pleasure.

It was a little over ten years ago that I purchased "Spirit House" and "A Killing Smile" at DK Books on Sukhumvit Rd and I immediately fell in love with Christopher G. Moore's writing style. I always hunt down and consume his latest books when I return to my "second home" of Chiang Mai.
"A Killing Smile" is probably the best fictional version of a bible or guidebook to the Thermae that I have ever encountered and I highly reccomend it to anyone who would A.) love a wonderful story, B.)learn about the Thai/expat world and C.) go to visit Thermae for the first time. The characters are so much like the regular customers I've meet there since I first visited the original Thermae in 1995. If you haven't been to Thermae, Bangkok or Thailand itself, I'd say this is more-than-likely the best motivation for doing so.Moore's writing just grabs you and won't let you go until you hit The End and desperately wish you had another of his books to read.I went with a good British friend of mine down to Bangkok in February specifically to purchase "Minor Wife", his latest Calvino novel that I couldn't find in Chiang Mai, and found it within minutes of us getting rooms at Asoke Place. That little trip also included watching two Russian prostitutes, street vendors killing a LARGE rat and my friend and I visiting Soi Cowboy, Thermae and the Grace Hotel Coffee Shop. During my hangover, I once again realized that Moore's books are so much sanuk because all the odd-ball "normal events" I'd gone through the night before are part of the "usual routine" in his outlook on Bangkok and you feel right at home as you read them. If you haven't already read this, buy it and read it and do likewise with his other novels. Christopher G. Moore is truly an artist beyond belief and also a friendly, helpful man.

I first read Moore on my initial visit to Bangkok and found his books a sort of orientation to life in Thailand in that I began to feel a lot more comfortable with my stay there.Subsequently I have purchased all of his published works and anxiously await his next title.As a primer to the life of a "farang" in Thailand he captures all the characters you are likely to encounter in your visit and at the same time you will be a better tourist because of what you will pick up from your reading about the Thai thought process and how they view foreigners-which may make your visit safer and a lot more fun too. His Calvino books will satisfy the most demanding of mystery readers. Even if you never thought of visiting Thailand after a small helping of Moore you may find yourself booking a ticket.

"A MUST READ" for any guy that has explored the nightlifeof Bangkok. All of C.G. Moore's books about expats living in Asia are entertaining, but this book that centers around the "HQ" (old Thermae Coffee Shot) is one of my favorites. In fact, I purchased one of the limited edition copies that he sells on his website. As an old timer to Asia I find his books like Lay's potato chips......you can't have just one.

If you've ever been to Bangkok, known someone who went or just want to get an education while being entertained about the mystique and pitfalls of living and/or visiting Thailand - the Land of Smiles as it is known - you will enjoy this book. This is the first in a trilogy and I plan to read the other two in 2010. Although written a few years ago it stands up perfectly well today. Moore paints pictures you might have seen before but with brush strokes beyond the pale of most people's imagination. The characters are well constructed and may remind you of people you know, if not yourself. The ending conjures up visions of an action packed and suspenseful screenplay with believable twists and turns along the way. If you like this writer you may also like books by Jake Needham, Stephen Leather and John Burdett.

Before having read this book I never knew what literature can achieve. This marvellous piece of art is a superb combination of - a world class thriller with very affectionate drawings of its characters; - an unmatched illustration of "the other Bangkok", presenting a facette of the real face of this amazing city and its nightlife - formerly invisible to all visitors of the realm, who walk on tourist's paths. - and a goldmine filled with pictures which enable us "falangs" to understand key elements of the Asian culture.

This epos obviously was written with full dedication and unlimited passion, and it revives a four-dimensional picture of one of the most amazing cities of the world. Whoever reads this book with an open heart will most probably fall in love irreversably with "the land of smiles" and its myths. Don't miss it.

You begin the read and wonder where this train is taking you. Don't let tales of the dark side confuse you or the message. The characters are people and each has a story. By the end of the book you feel you know them personally. You feel the pain for the girls and their desperate plight. You want to save them, rescue them from this train wreck of a life. You want this because you are thinking as a westerner. As you learn even if you save them they are still lost. Thailand is a wonderful country and Tai's are a wonderful people. I am married to a thai woman. Her love is complete and a better wife you will never find. I can not begin to describe the Thai logic even after all these years. Perhaps because I am western. This book opens the door to some answers. Once you have read this book you may never view the bargirls in the same light. They are human but its so sad they place so little value upon thier own selfworth. You will want to save them even 1, but how do you save someone who rates their value based on purples?
Well written and powerful, it will leave you gasping for air, for relief from the pain of the characters, and like the bargirls you just can't stop.

I'd been in Thailand for a few years when I read Chris Moore's tragic novel
and I and almost every fellow ex-pat loved this and most of his books , it was
a way for newbies to understand life on the Pong ,especially the beautiful smiles of the ladies!

This novel takes place almost exclusively in a Bangkok go-go bar...Well let's be honest whorehouse. The central figure is an expat American who has lived in Bangkok (and this particular bar) for 20 some odd years.
There is a vague central plot, but most of the novel deals with stories about a series of Expats and their experiences in Bangkok.
I've been to Bangkok and I found this a dreadful book. It's as if a group of people spend their entire adult life's in a low-life LA bar and their only knowledge of the US is what they gained from a bunch of prostitutes.
I bought this book with the hope of learning about the expat experience living in Thailand.
Don't bother.