Sad Part Was | 
pickThis book of short stories by Prabda Yoon (Thailand) plays with words in different ways (one story takes place completely inside one set of parentheses, in a sentence about picking a piece of paper off the floor.) Some of the writing reads a bit awkwardly but it's always hard to tell if that's translation or the original (one was a death story told in a weird tense that must have been difficult to translate!) Very modern and very urban (Bangkok.)
pickFunny and fun stories that experiment with form and plays with storytelling. There are a lot of unfinished narratives (it‘s more about the journey than where you end up) but they are never unsatisfying. And even while being experimental, the stories never lose the humanity of its characters. I want to say there‘s something John Barth-ish about these stories.
I read this for #readaroundtheworld #thailand and it was excellent. There must be many other #southasianwriters in my shelves but this sprang to mind immediately. On my TBR is the Ibis trilogy by Amitav Ghosh. #Anditsaugust
pickA refreshing collection of short stories. I was unfamiliar with Prabda Yoon but will now seek out more of his work. Set in Thailand but dealing with human questions & quirky interests more than place, his writing is witty & engaging but at times profound. The title is a poignant reference to June; other memorable characters include Dracula, Wondee with spaces in her writing, & Tong-Jai who has the beautiful logic of a 9 yr old. #readaroundtheworld
Finally got my Thailand books for #readaroundtheworld (June)! The Sad Part Was is excellent so far: witty, engaging stories. I'd love to read more of his work. Looking forward to Sightseeing which has been recommended by a friend. 🤓🇹🇭
June was a good reading month! I read authors from Syria, Thailand, Iran, UK and US, and all of them were pretty good! I also 'decluttered' my currently reading list of 'not the right time' books and instigated a book-buying & borrowing ban - until 1st September, it's only books I already own! (Which might mean I tackle LitsyAtoZ). I've abandoned the idea of bookgroups for a couple of months, and am half-way through readharder. #junewrapup #ro17
pickShort stories from contemporary Bangkok, & one of my favourite reads of the year. They made me happy!
Quite different characters, many of them anonymous oddballs finding connections, & several who just don't listen.
From 9-yr old Tong-Jai, who can't see the logic in 1+1=2, to people-watching (judging) in the park, a mother at the hairdresser, or a character berating the author for having no imagination 💕
I hope his novels get translated now!
Have I mentioned how much I'm loving this book of short stories?
"If a vampire can manage to quit the habit, she ought to get out of it while she still can... Being a vampire in Pattaya isn't what it was. That's the long and short of it"
"Of course she existed. She bought two of my coconuts. One for herself, one for her victim. She had a big heart, that vampire."
This book is genius, bonkers, wth, wonderful. I haven't fathomed out why but, while I do, please could someone arrange for his novels to be translated into English? Preferably by this translator, because she's awesome!
In this short story two anonymous people, who converse in this remarkably formal prose, are interrupted from 'domestic matters' by a loud noise in a rainstorm.
An impulse buy! I'm trying out a collection of short stories from #Thailand for the #readaroundtheworld challenge. This very much sets the tone - fast, smart and set in modern Bangkok.
