Thailand Book Reviews

Aftermath
By Jesse Gump

In 1955, the naval historian Oliver Warner wrote a review of a book, 'It is not very probable adventure but it keeps admirably with its own convention... and it would be a jaded creature who complained of a lack of things happening.'

This is the sequel to Tippawan, The Joy of Math, and although enjoyed, the denouement is perhaps somewhat overwrought, but then that is the nature of so many novels these days. Far too many writers - mostly American - seem to have a weather eye on Hollywood and the potential for a movie studio to take a movie option.

It also suffered from an amazing number of typographical mistakes; sack the proofreader.

That said, most of the characters are well fleshed out and it's still worth reading.

Buy It - US$12.50

Bangkok Angel
By Mike Smith and Robin Hayes

This is an absolute ripper of a read and it's sad to put it down after just 159 pages. Poignant, touching, funny and a book with scenes that would be familiar to many expats and regular visitors to Thailand. Highly recommended.

Buy It - US$12.00

But, I Don't Give A Hoot
By Jennifer Bliss

The unauthorized biography of Bernard Trink, the long-serving Bangkok Post and formerly Bangkok World columnist. His Nite Owl columns told it like it was and are still required reading for those who want to get an idea of what's happening in the expat bar scene in Bangkok.

You can really enjoy the windows into what expat life was like in Bangkok in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Buy It - US$10.00

Money Number One
By Neil Hutchison

Every single heterosexual male (and even those who bat for both sides) who comes to Pattaya for the first time and even those who have been here on more occasions than they care to admit, should avail themselves of a copy of this book. It may not stop you making mistakes in the war with the bar girls, but at least you'll realize you're not alone. The book is well written, fast-paced, never dull and quite humorous.

Buy It - US$9.90

Pattaya 'Patpong on Steroids'
By Duncan Stearn

This book contains a number of anecdotes about incidents that have happened to the author and others in Pattaya over a number of years. Also included is material designed to put those incidents into perspective.

Buy It - US$11.00

Tippawan, The Joy of Math
By Jesse Gump

In spite of a number of really annoying grammatical clangers and the odd typo, this is a wonderful yet tragic yarn, the bulk of it set right here in Pattaya. The burlb on the back cover claims the story is 'based on actual events. Only the details are fiction'.

Buy It - US$12.50

Travellers Tales, Thailand
Compiled by James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger

This is probably the best book to gain an all-round appreciation of Thailand. A wealth of vignettes covering everything from Buddhism to language to prostitution to travel, it runs some 400 pages and is almost un-put-downable.