Bangkok 8: A Royal Thai Detective Novel (1)

Forget about whether or not this book accurately depicts Bangkok life, or is slanted by the misconstrued vision of the author. After all, it is not a travelogue, it is a work of fiction first and foremost. And it is a work of fiction of extreme ingenuity. The writer is highly talented. He is also highly complex, and so is his story. And he is funny as all get out. I can't count the many times this book got a laugh out of me, either for its outright humor, or its subtle, more hidden ironic meanings. Yes, I agree with some other reviewers that there is a tendency to bash "farangs" in black and white terms. They are facilely pigeonholed. Although this view is seen through the eyes of his fascinating main character (fascinating because it is impossible to guess what he is going to say or do next - the unexpected is always forthcoming), the reader senses (correctly or incorrectly) that the main character expresses the views of his creator. Only Mr. Burdett himself can confirm or deny the truth of this impression. This book is about divides and contradictions; finding, losing and searching again. Confusion? Yes. But always in the cloak of ingenuity. The only weakness that I can point out is that the male characters are drawn very three dimensionally, while the female characters always remain somewhat in the mist. None are clearly wholly defined. They don't come out into the sunlight as do the males. In fact, one can almost say they are drawn stereotypically. Almost, but not quite. As the writer is exceptionally gifted, he has created an exceptional book. Its uniqueness ensures that this novel has no predecessor, and it is not likely there will ever be another one even resembling it. For its complexity, its genius, and for just a plain old-fashioned fascinating read, I would highly recommend it. It is full of contradictions that have yet to be resolved. And it leaves it's reader (and perhaps the author as well) with the responsibility of doing so.

I'm a sucker for crime fiction set in unusual locales, so it was with great anticipation that I dove into this Bangkok-set debut novel. Burdett does a magnificent job in bringing Bangkok to life-from the neon-lit sex industry to shocking poverty, endemic corruption, widespread yaa baa (methamphetamine) trade, ever-present Bhuddism, and the lingering effects of the Vietnam war. Things kick off with straight-arrow cops Sonchai and Pichai tailing an American marine-allowing Burdett to give Bangkok's legendary traffic a cameo. However, in the middle of their task, the marine is killed by poisonous snakes, one of whom also kills Pichai when he tries to rescue the marine. From here on out Sonchai is a man on a mission, dedicated to solving the marine's (and thus by extension his partner's) murder. The death of the marine brings with it the involvement of the U.S embassy, and a female FBI agent comes over to liase with Sonchai. The plot is a typically convoluted thriller effort, involving international jade smuggling, a powerful American with White House connections, extreme S&M, Khmer thugs, Chui Chow Chinese gangsters and more. Actually, the story itself if the weakest part of the book, succumbing to stereotypical thriller elements and scenes. And it has to be said-the ending is really, really lame. Still, there's lots to recommend the book. This is a thriller with many shades of gray to delight in. For example, on the one hand, Sonchai is an arhat (kind of a Bhuddist living saint), the one clean cop in the district, and yet he's clear that the only justice he intends to bring his partner's killer to is that found in the barrel of his gun. Similarly, his boss is totally corrupt, but Sonchai respects and reveres him. Most interesting is the portrayal of the sex industry, which is much less condemnatory than one might expect. (Although whether or not it accurately represents Thai attitudes to sex is not for me to judge.) The straightforward story also veers into the supernatural, with Sonchai able to see the past lives of people he encounters. Others love this aspect of his character, but it struck me as an unnecessary gimmick that detracts from the book's excellent portrayal of Bhuddism. Sonchai is a wonderfully laconic character, and all the more surprising for having come from the pen of a Westerner. On the whole, this is a very enjoyable thriller with a wonderful protagonist and great insight into Thai culture and Bangkok, however don't approach it with overly high expectations or you'll be disappointed-it is still of the airplane/beach read genre.

Sonchai is an honest police detective in the totally corrupt police department of Bangkok. But, hey, that's the way things work there. People pay the police, things get done, and everybody is happy. Sonchai is not cheered by his present situation, however. His best friend and partner has just been killed in a bizarre event following a murder. His prostitute mother is going to open a bar, and an assertive blonde lady FBI agent has been assigned to help him solve his case. Her American personality and flirtatious manner is somewhat unsettling to his placid Buddhist nature, but they work together somewhat efficiently. Gems, snakes, and an American evildoer make up the plot. The murdered man was a marine who was living with a statuesque Thai woman, and seems to have been involved in the jade trade. Sonchai has some difficulty in pursuing the case because he begins to bump into some of those police payoff areas. The unlikely investigating couple continue their work, however, and it leads to a few choice surprises. This book flows smoothly, and is well written. The characters are well developed, and the reader is happily immersed in Thai culture. Well, Thai culture as it applies to the police, prostitution and drugs that is. This novel is for readers who want something different than the normal mystery novels written by authors who seem unacquainted with descriptive adjectives, and the human personalities and cultural contexts of their stories.

A Thai policeman living and working in Bangkok, being the son of an unknown (white) father and a Thai mother, was brought up partitially in France, Germany and America. Therefore his daily duties, experiences, actions, reflections and thoughts of Thai society are buddhist Thai as well as they are 'westernized'. So the (western) reader gets lots of explanations and background information about Thailand without the book ever becoming explanative or too elaborating/descriptive: Things are as they are. Plus the underlying murder investigation is a great story. A novel about Thailand as good as it can get.

I read Bangkok 8 the first time I came to Thailand. I was intrigued because it was everywhere - left behind in guesthouses, on display at every bookstore, in a lot of 'Farangs' hands - not Thais though. (I once heard John Burdett on the radio saying he was a little relieved his books had not been translated into Thai, as he wasn't sure he'd be allowed to stay in the kingdom afterwards...) I loved it at the time. It was a page-turner and what I felt was an good glimpse into the fascinating country I was visiting superficially. It certainly turned a lot of things on their heads, which hooked me even more. I re-read it last week, wondering how I would feel now that I've lived in Thailand for over 2 years. Well, Sonchai Jitpleecheep's world is still somewhat foreign to me; I live in peaceful Chiang Mai and he's at the heart of crime, pollution and every sex trade in The Big Mango. So yes, the author caters to expected tropes - prostitution, ladyboys, sex change operations, corruption, reincarnation - maybe in a very 'Farang' way. With a colonialist mindset? Some certainly argue this point and I will not get into the debate although for the recordThais are certainly craftier and smarter than white people in this book. Which brings me to what I noticed this time around and fondly put in the 'unrealistic'category. Everyone in this book is way too smart. Uneducated prostitutes, illiterate jungle refugees, Bangkok cops - all have deep, self-aware, fascinating insights into their own nature and the way the world works. Heartless surgeons can talk about the soul, utterly corrupted officials have soft spots for Buddhist 'arhat' (saints), and bargirls can read anyone john they meet. It allows Burdett to dip into fascinating subjects - let's face it, when is the last time you read anything relevant and smart about transsexualism? - and play beyond the mundane. It makes Buddhist insights seem like they belong. It makes Sonchai's culture and polyglottism almost believable. It makes white people politely appear boorish and foolish and way over their heads (which, you know, they kind of are). And I admit it, I'm a sucker for smart characters. Bangkok 8 certainly provides. Is it too good to be true? Certainly. The characters' mix of cynicism and depth makes this a delicious, surprising read every time. Western expectations are blasted throughout the book, in the image of the 'FBI's. This is one of the best case scenarios for me when reading or traveling. Is it fake? Maybe. I must confess I am very curious of Mr Burdett's sources and inspiration. But this is not a documentary. Enjoy it for the change of perspective and the many fabulous zingers...

THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK IN AN OLDER SERIES.... WAS HAPPY TO FIND IT AT AN OUTLET IT ARRIVED PROMPTLY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ORDER [ I AM IN CANADA] WANTED FOR MY ADULT GRANDDAUGHTER TO READ THIS WONDERFUL SERIES... BOOK LOOKED [UNUSED

I had noticed the book at old Dom Muang Airport some years back, but actually bought it in Pattaya. I pealed off the sealing once settled on the plane home and did not sleep a wink. I was half way through it at Heathrow. Fabulous. Oh my God does he capture Thailand and the Thais. It is a book of terrific characterisations... oh the Colonel! What a creation. The images and moments, the spiritualism, the excitement, the sexuality, the food... it is a superb visit to the Land of Smiles when the smiles get wiped off one's face. READ IT! One of the most engaging books I have read on any level... but I can see how people might take another view. But don't worry. They are wrong. 'Tatoo' is a good sequel too. Take them both, and the third... well, I've just ordered it, and will review it later. Well done author. More please.

and doesn't let go till you have got to the end of this fantastic tale of mystery, mysticism and madness. I am waiting for prices to fall on the next one in this series. Jo Nesbo/Harry Hole fans should relish Mr Burdett's plots and the protagonist equally.