A Killing Smile (Land of Smiles Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

Christopher G. Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

A Killing Smile First in the Land of Smiles Trilogy by Christopher G. Moore n 1957 Richard Mason's The World of Suzie Wong shocked the world with an exotic tale set in Hong Kong, then in 1973 Paul Theroux's Saint Jack followed with a powerful story set in Singapore, and in 1991 Christopher G. Moore's A Killing Smile has registered a tour de force with a haunting drama set in Bangkok. A Killing Smile is a simple but deep story about the aftermath of events following the death of a successful Los Angeles attorney's wife. Lost, confused, and angry, Lawrence Baring, Esq. goes to Bangkok and confronts Tuttle--the man his wife, Sarah, had once loved. The story follows the conflict and enveloping relationship of Baring and Tuttle in the underworld of Bangkok's Patpong, Soi Cowboy, and the late night meeting spot called HQ where spies, gangsters, diplomats, pimps, businessmen, writers, teachers, travellers gather along side the women they buy for the night. The novel is filled with twists and turns and atmosphere and absolutely fascinating characters shipwrecked in a society they vaguely understand.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The whole effect is very real-- particularly the revelation of those razor teeth back of the Smile."
--Gore Vidal

"Moore is a master of detail . . . a pioneer, daring and inventive."
--The Nation

"The portrait of Tuttle as an expatriate shipwrecked in an alien tropic brings to mind Theroux's Jack Flowers."
--The Japan Times

"Translating for a Western audience the inside of how Thais think... with an objective, non-judgemental eye the raw pathos, the light and shadow of the world that never surfaces in the glossy tourist catalogues."
--Thriller Magazine (Italy)

"Critically regarded as the best Western author today whose books focus on this country (e.g., A Killing Smile)..." -- The Bangkok Post

"Moore is a master of detail...a pioneer, daring and inventive..." -- The Nation

"Standing head-and-shoulders above the rest is Christopher G. Moore, whose works demonstrate his broad knowledge of the Realm." -- Bernard Trink, The Nite Owl

"The portrait of Tuttle as an expatriate shipwrecked in an alien tropic brings to mind Theroux's Jack Flowers." -- Japan Times

"The whole effect is very real — particularly the revelation of the those razor teeth back of the Smile." -- Gore Vidal

"The whole effect is very real-- particularly the revelation of those razor teeth back of the Smiles." -- --Gore Vidal

"Moore is a master of detail ... a pioneer, daring and inventive." -- --The Nation

"I was knocked out by the sensitivity of the writing, the textures of the characters, the many levels of feeling. The outcome is one of the finest male bonding stories I have ever come across and I kick myself that I didn't write this novel." -- --Stirling Silliphant, Oscar winner for In the Heat of the Night

"The portrait of Tuttle as an expatriate shipwrecked in an alien tropic brings to mind Theroux's Jack Flowers." -- --The Japan Times

"In A Killing Smile Moore succeeds in translating for a Western audience the inside of how Thais think. Above all he describes with an objective, non-judgemental eye the raw pathos, the light and shadow of the world that never surfaces in the glossy tourist catalogues." -- --Fabio Novel, Thriller Magazine (Italy)

From the Publisher

Land of Smiles, Book 1

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Heaven Lake Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9749233573
• ISBN-13: 978-9749233573
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Killing Smile" - A Unique, Horizon Broadening Novel, November 11, 2000

By 

j. murphy (Kauai, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Smile (Paperback)

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one that hooked me, November 20, 2000

By 

Keeley Timothy Dean (Fukuoka-ken Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Smile (Paperback)

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.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Realistic Trip To The Star Wars Bar!, May 13, 2002

By 

Sean Bunzick (Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Smile (Paperback)

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.