Monsoon Country [Paperback]

Pira Sudham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0920911846 | ISBN-13: 978-0920911846 | Publication Date: April 1990

Set in Thailand, England and Germany, Monsoon Country conveys the cultural tension between the East and the West, the clashes between the new powers and the old values, covering twenty-five years of socio-economic and political change in Thailand. This novel gives, as no fiction account about Thailand has yet done, insights into Thai life, particularly that of rural Thailand. Foreign writers writing about the Thai people look at Thailand from the - outside", but Pira Sudham writes about his people and country as seen from the - inside," thus giving us a fascinating work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pira Sudham was born in a small remote village in northeast Thailand. He spent his early years in the rice fields helping his parents and tending a herd of water buffaloes. At teh age of 14, Sudham came to Bangkok where he completed high school and later university, then won a scholarship to a New Zealand university.
Having lived in Hong Kong, Australia and England, he now resides in Thailand, dividing his time between a working life in Bangkok and a village life in a district of Napo, where he was born.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Breakwater Books Ltd (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920911846
• ISBN-13: 978-0920911846
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best interfaces between Western & Siam culture., May 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Monsoon Country (Paperback)

I found this book to be fasinating. Mr. Sudham managed to weave a simple story of one young life into the vastness of the wall between Western and Siam culture. His unique understanding of the ³western² mind-set, and his native understanding of the needs, desires and hopes of a young, poor, Siam boy make for an enchanting experience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! And written in Engish - by a Thai., August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Monsoon Country (Paperback)

Having lived in Thailand for several years, one begins to appreciate the significance of this achievement. Mr. Sudham shows keen understanding of a sharp narative and insight into both Thai and Western culture. In the end, it is an enjoyable read.

However, that he did all this in English is remarkable. If it were translated, it would be understandable; however, it was written in English by this very bright author.

I have also read his collection of short stories - the title escapes me at the moment. These were less noteworthy. I wonder if he is truly retreated to Buri Ram, running some sort of NGO or something, as people say.

Jack Kelly

Thunderbird 1999

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! And written in Engish - by a Thai., August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Monsoon Country (Paperback)

Having lived in Thailand for several years, one begins to appreciate the significance of this achievement. Mr. Sudham shows keen understanding of a sharp narative and insight into both Thai and Western culture. In the end, it is an enjoyable read.

However, that he did all this in English is remarkable. If it were translated, it would be understandable; however, it was written in English by this very bright author.

I have also read his collection of short stories - the title escapes me at the moment. These were less noteworthy. I wonder if he is truly retreated to Buri Ram, running some sort of NGO or something, as people say.

Jack Kelly Thunderbird 1999