Customer Reviews

Thai Girl

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

 

 

No, this is not one of those guilty pleasure books even though the title is pretty suggestive. It's a coherent, authentic and sometimes serious novel that tells a convincing story of an exotic cross-cultural romance.

Young and innocent UK graduate Ben is the protagonist here. He visits Thailand with his girlfriend Emma and the couple expect to have the time of their lives, but Thailand changes everything. The couple split up on the island of Koh Samet and Ben falls in love with a pretty Thai girl giving massage and braiding hair on the beach.

From language problems to culture shock and the narrow-mindedness of the Thai public, a field of obstacles lie before him. Even open friendship is a problem. Let alone an open display of courtship. Yet Ben finds himself irresistibly attracted to Fon. They go to the bank together, they go out for dinner, they even go dancing. But eveything remains platonic. Ben is a gentleman truly in love. But soon after Ben's second visit to Koh Samet, the story seems to lose much of its momentum. There is no "happy ending" here. In fact, there isn't even a proper ending. But it's still a beautiful story, albeit an incomplete one - just like many of such stories in real life.

Though many parts of the book have characters like Maca, Jack and others telling more than they are showing, much of the background information about Thailand is revealed quite subtly. The plot and setting are so plausible that it may pass off as a true story. The dialogue is also pretty truthful and convincing. Overall, the author has great writing style and my only complaint is that it doesn't quite read like fiction. The conclusion could have been a bit more satisfying. Still, this book stands way above almost any book on Thai-Farang relationship that I've read.

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I bought this book a while ago, before it was even on Amazon in Kindle form. The primary protagonist Ben. A young college grad gives a unique perspective on the classic East vs West story. He is from the rich and privileged world of London whereas Fon is from the poor rural area of Thailand. One of my favorite scenes is when he is eating rice with Fon and he wants to take the rice basket home and she laughs saying it's just a basket without much value, just shows the different things people value and appreciate. I also liked hearing Fon's side of the story and though she is poor her desire to stay out of the nightlife of Thailand. I've been to Bangkok and Pattaya and personally enjoy both places, but I can respect and understand why someone would wish to avoid these areas even if it meant making economic sacrifices and doing work that pays a barely livable wage.

Very interesting love story based in Thailand. Worth reading for anyone trying to take a deeper look at Asian Culture(thai). Especially Romance... Author has good insight on subject, check out his other titles too!!

I always thought it was Cristos who liked Asian women, but now I know that it's really Andrew. I recommend Thai Girl if you want to know more...

brings back a lot of memories when I was in thailand! great love story. I couldn't put it down, and finished the book in 2 days.