| |
hooomyy
|
I just finished reading "Private Dancer" by Stephen Leather (http://www.stephenleather.com/unpub.html) after seeing it mentioned on this forum, and I was wondering if any moderate- to long-time Bangkok residents might inform me as to how accurately it portrays the bar-girl - smitten-farang drama. I was interested in the differing points of view between the two people, and I actually found the bar-girl's to be much more mature and realistic. Hopefully that ensures that I won't follow any "in-love" path to destruction like that described in this book.
Are there any other works/sites of value to a neophyte that you would recommend that I read/study while awaiting my arrival in Thailand?
With gratitude,
Mike
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:32 pm on Sep. 29, 2002
|
|
chateaujade
|
Never heard of it, and not very inclined to read it to review.
In general what fiction of the last 15 years on this subject I am familiar with tends to be moralistic crap by Canadian dimwits who simultaneously glorify and demonize Thermae (for example).
I recommend you stick to non fiction. Try PATPONG SISTERS, it is fun watching the feminazi author change her tune after she realizes that Patpong girls are almost heroic in their desire to better themselves, and then, she gets a taste of a typical Thai layabout gigolo...
There is also a book about letters from bar girls to former customer "boyfriends" abroad and it is worth going through this to get a baptism of fire about what you can expect yourself.
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 7:42 pm on Sep. 29, 2002
|
|
MrJoe
|
hoommyy,
In case you don't know, the 2nd book CJ mentions is called "Hello My Big Honey" and it is indeed worth looking at as is Patpong Sisters. (Patpong Sisters is interesting as well - I met the author; What a piece of work she was!)
I haven't read Private Dancer though have heard of it often; In general I've heard nothing about Leather that has suggested to me that Leather is much more than a hack, BUT I haven't read him, so of course I don't know. In general I've found that in fiction set in Thailand by authors who have lived in Thailand, one can certainly find lots of truths -- as one would hope, a writer will notice and comment on some of what makes this place what it is.
However, there is obviously going to be some things tthat are in the story as a device to move the plot forward - not because it is true or even likely (not to mention the author's personal biases.) Fair enough; it is fiction after all.
For that reason I would echo CJ on this: If your interest is knowledge as opposed to entertainment go for non-fiction. In any BKK bookstore, you will find several books on Thai nightlife/ sex industry alone. Some of them written by people with somewhat impressive academic credentials, who have gone to great lengths to examine and document what goes on. (Even those must be read with some skepticism IMO but they are informative.)
As for BGs being mature and realistic; certainly some are but equally certain; many are not. I'm not sure off the top of my head but I would say that those in the latter group are possibly more common than the former.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:17 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
chateaujade
|
I do recommend LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE (a novel) by our very own brother forum member Dean Barrett.
Dean is off in NYC at the moment but will return in a short time to the Big Mango so anyone who takes my advice can pelt him with orchids or brickbats as they see fit, at that time.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 2:07 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
sukhumvit boy
|
I have read Patpong Sisters and found it really interesting.I have long been interested in the author Cleo Odzer.MrJoe you said you have met her and what a piece of work she was,what do you mean by that exactly?I would be interested in any information you have about her,cheers!
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 4:01 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
MrJoe
|
I'll give you my impression (based only on a meeting and knowledge of her freinds) if I can think of how to put it into words; and if you tell me what you mean about being "interested" in her.
Do you have any connection with her or any plans to meet her for any reason? It wouldn't change what I say but perhaps how much I say or how I say it.
On the other hand, Patpong Sisters is quite revealing about its author; I probably can't tell you much that you don't already know.
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:16 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
sukhumvit boy
|
MrJoe,Iam not planning on meeting her at all,sorry if I gave you that impression.I am only interested about her because having read the book has made me more curious about her and it is the same with most books I read after I am more interested in the author,sorry for any confusion
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:27 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
hooomyy
|
Thank you. chateaujade. for your nonfiction recommendation, specifically of Patpong Sisters. Your description of the author's experience has me pulling up the book for an online order. I followed your tip about bar girl letters and discovered 'Hello My Big Big Honey'. Cheers!
|
Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:42 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
|
|
hooomyy
|
MrJoe, your specificity of recommendation is only outdone by the familiarity that you have had with its source! I trust that any female author writing about Bangkok nightlife would indeed be a 'piece of work'! Judging from her website at http://www.echonyc.com/~cleo, she would be someone I would gladly invite out and chat with at length regarding her life experiences and perspectives. You, too, would be including in this category of interesting living compendiums of knowledge.
I do prefer nonfictional descriptions; Mr. Leather's account was merely an introduction to be followed by the works recommended via this forum. I agree that even field research a person bearing a scholarly degree must always be considered as potentially-biased towards some often undisclosed desire of the presenter.
Your final assessment of bar girl maturity did lead me to consider that I was applying an assumed stereotype of the 'jaded prostitute' to a group without much experience of the culture. Gross inaccuracy is not just inherent in any sweeping categorization, but doubly so when the assuming person's experience with the subject is based merely on very-limited written accounts.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:05 am on Sep. 30, 2002
|
|
| |
|
