Customer Reviews

Touch the Dragon: A Thai Journal

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If Georgia O'Keefe was to return as a writer, she would be Karen Connolly. I read the award-winning book, TOUCH THE DRAGON, while lying on the cool sheet of my sofa cushion bed, surrounded by a family of barking baby lizards, in the sweltering heat of a steamy Thai "summer." I had just arrived in rural Thailand for a volunteer teaching position, and I began to read this book to ease my home sickness. I became more depressed and scared with each line of the opening chapters! I was going through EXACTLY the same feelings: "WHAT am I doing here in this strange land?" Later, as I overcame the culture shock and began to enjoy Thailand, I thrilled that Karen was writing what I was seeing, thinking and feeling. Karen has done a remakable job documenting with brilliant, poetic, and often hysterical descriptions, the everyday life of rural Thailand. For example, she describes the "flowers out of science fiction" novels: I love that. I would often read excerpts to my room mates. We would be amazed at how dead-on target Karen is, and we would crack up into fits of knowing laughter about many of her experiences. Karen's book truly enhanced my life in Thailand. Further, while I was there, my parents were reading the book in frosty Newfoundland. It helped them to understand more and worry less. The way Karen traces her growing love for the people of Thailand makes for a heart wrenching ending, as were my last days in Thailand. Thai people are like Newfoundlanders: friendly, open, sensitive, and a tad crazy. I will never meet such beautiful people again in all my life. Karen has done the Thai people and their country a great service by simply presenting the facts in the Georgia O'Keefe style of EXTREME CLOSE-UP. How beautiful reality can be! This book was fantastic and I highly recommend it to everyone. READ IT!

Touch The Dragon is Karen Connelly's journal during her one year exchange program in Thailand. I've devoured this book. Karen Connelly was 17 when she wrote the first draft of this book, yet the book is devoid any cynnism, written with humility and candour as she patiently learns how to get along in a different culture. I truly believe she has an ancient, wise soul. Her eyes are open and register with clarity every single detail, all the colours and fragrances of Thailand.

Also, her writing style, metaphors she creates, the descriptions, are truly masterfully crafted - not one false note throughout the book.

After returning from studying abroad in SE Asia for five months, I found myself almost at a loss in trying to tell others about my experience. I read this book at the end of my three month home-stay in Thailand, and it really "hit home." I could really identify with her experiences, thoughts and feelings. I have encouraged my friends and family to read this book because it is so accurate, and provides an excellent glimpe on life in Thailand -- a land like no other, but one that I will always love.

Lest anyone think they must travel overseas to enjoy this book, please consider my insights. I read this book almost three years ago, and base my comments on vague memories. What impressed me most was the incredible maturity this author exhibits: the courage of a high school student who wants to go where she does not know the language, the frustrating attempts at fitting into a new culutre, coping with lost loves, and finding beauty in truly "foreign" people. I think this book helped me to trust my instincts in terms of choosing experiences I can grow from. It also taught me that unexpected, or uninvited, challenges benefit the soul in ways we don't realize immediately. One certainly does not have to live in Thailand to appreciate the sentiment, vision, and excellent literary style this author presents.

Simply one of the most beautiful and masterfully written books I have read in my life. "Touch the Dragon" is a poetic journal that gives the reader first person insight into a paradoxical and often confusing culture, but does so through sensitive and moving prose. Karen Connolly is a remarkable, gifted writer, and her words will leave you with images that you will remember all of your life. Even if you think you "know" Thailand, you'll discover it all over again in this book.

I, like the above reviewer, spent time living and working in Thailand last year and whole-heartedly agree with her summary. I sent it home to my parents and it was passed around to my friends. I laughed and cried throughout the book and felt like I could write my own version of a similar book but never with the wit and talent which made Karen Connelly's "Touch the Dragon" such a treasure. I think it should be required reading for anyone planning to visit or live in Thailand (or any foreign) country!!!

That sounds like the subject of one of my emails, but it's not. The subtitle is "A Thai Journal," so get your minds out of the gutter.

Every day, Picasso needs to suddenly get all bushy and bolt through the house as fast as possible. Her eyes get wild and she sometimes makes some unusual noises. Years ago, Jan was teaching six little girls English at our apartment every week. One evening, during Jan's class, Picasso started bolting through the apartment. One of the girls turned to Jan and asked, "Why is she doing that?" We have no idea.

I read the first 30 pages of this journal, and the author was still in the "why are they doing that?" stage of Thailand. Why are they doing that, why are they eating that, why are they acting that way, why do I have to wear a uniform to school, why can't they act normal like Canadians? That's just not the kind of book I want to read, and I apologize to the author if it got better later.

Also, the font was too small. I've gotten old enough for that to matter.