The English Governess and the Siamese Court: The True Story Behind 'The King and I' (Mass Market Paperback)

by Anna Leonowens (Author) "MARCH 15, 1862.-ON BOARD THE SMALL SIAMESE steamer Chow Phya, in the Gulf of Siam..." (more)
Key Phrases: supreme king, second king, royal father, Maha Mongkut, Chow Phya, Royal Highness (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Anna Leonownes' memoir of her six year as a governess in the Royal Palace of Bangkok was the inspiration for the beloved Broadway musical The king and I, as well as two award-winning films. First published in 1870, Leonowens' memoir is the true story of a proper English governess who is hired by the King of Siam to tutor his many children. A delightful portrait of an unlikely friendship between two headstrong personalities, it is also a revealing peak at two very different cultures.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (November 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812570626
• ISBN-13: 978-0812570625
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #722,880 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

123 of 134 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Colonial Bias, February 8, 2000

By	Arthur Brown (Egypt) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Probably one of the strangest things about my reading of The English Governess at the Siamese Court, was the location in which I found the book. I was rummaging through the books at the Asia Book Store on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, looking for mindless mysteries to pass the time between tailor fittings. I was astonished to find a copy in Bangkok, knowing the Thai feelings toward Anna Leonowens. All I can say about the book is, now I have a complete understanding of why they would feel that way about her. Mrs. Leonowens view is so ethnocentric as to be bordering blatant racism. She takes no time to understand the culture around her, and fills her writings with the basest stereotypes of Asian culture found so prevalently in Victorian Imperial culture. Even when she does give credit to the Thai people for the beauty of their culture, it is done with an air of surprise, that these "primitives" could develop something of beauty.

BUT, this should not stop anyone from reading the book (thus my rating of four stars). The book should be read if only to gauge the growth that has been achieved in the last one hundred and thirty years. The book is an interesting look back at the accepted viewpoint of the nineteenth century. Mrs. Leonowens is a perfect mirror of the superior attitude of the Anglo-Saxon in his drive to finally control 3/4 of the earth. All in all, this book is a very interesting trip into the past.

62 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The British Women, Anna, January 20, 2000

By	Vincent Yeung (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews

This is one of a few books which are written by Anna Leonowens herself as a English teacher in Siam. For those of you who wants to know more about Anna herself and her dairy, should read this book. It describes the Siamese court from a historical point of view, bring you back to 19th century.

16 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shocking..., July 30, 2003

By	magic*turtle (los angeles) - See all my reviews

Leonowens will never realize how she has condemned an entire nation with her lies. True, Thais do revere their kings and do not see them as being human. However, in the case of King Mongkut you have a truly remarkable man, do your homework before making judgements, and keep in mind that Leonowens was exposed to common Thai people most of the time but instead chose to write about the royalty to make $$$. I am truly saddened that King Mongkut a highly tolerant and far sighted ruler must stand in the shadow of lies. I challenge you to research western sources regarding this man. I agree that Thailand should not ban these films or books because they reveal how the West (whom they have always admired) regards them in the 19th century and even today. The fact that no modern scholar has come forth to introduce King Mongkut to the world has burdened Thais to rightfully defend themselves and in doing so make Leonowen's account seem hilariously "unbiased".