The 20 best novels of Thailand

by Marcel Barang

To achieve the present selection, Thai Modern Classics asked ten Thai literary critics, professors of literature and writers to each establish a list of their favourite novels, of whatever length, genre or period.

491 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Chris Wharton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chosen on the basis of the editor’s survey of Thai academics, critics, and writers, the excerpted novels, published from 1929 to 1994, provide a very interesting look at Thailand’s 20th-century history and political and social developments. The earlier selections, from the 1920s and ‘30s, focus on the aristocratic elite and are written by members of this elite as well. Then writers turned to the educated military and commercial classes whose revolt ushered in constitutional monarchy in 1932 and who, under military dictatorships, became (and remain today) the dominant political and economic elites. After the student demonstrations and political uncertainties of the 1970s, other social groups—middle classes, farmers, fishermen, etc—in different urban and rural settings become more visible, with the writers themselves also coming from a wider range of class and regional backgrounds. Finally, by the ‘80s and’90s, the effects of Thailand’s booming economic development and slowly growing political inclusiveness upon the traditional culture in general are a frequent subject. Some of the excerpts are not particularly easy reading, and there is quite a variation in writing styles and approaches. There is a lengthy introduction to the development of Thai literature, and the editor provides brief author biographies, plot and character synopses, and critical analyses and often gives the political and social contexts of a novel’s writing and publication as well. I think most of the translations are by the editor; he has a website where he offers ebook versions of some he has translated in toto. Thanks, Ben, for finding this!

[Christine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 20 Best Novels of Thailand: An Anthology by Marcel Barang *

What this book contains:
•It’s an anthology presenting 20 landmark Thai novels of the 20th century, selected for literary significance.
•Includes plots, excerpts, and critical assessments.
•Provides biographies of 18 authors, ranging from Arkartdamkeung Rapheephat to Saneh Sangsuk.
•Designed as a gateway into Thai literature for English-language readers.

For readers seeking the most current information, look for the 2008 reissue published by Thaifiction Publishing as it contains expanded framing essays and updated author biographies. It was later available online as an internet edition and is currently available as an ebook from Kobo.

A panoramic but uneven portal into Thai literary history. This anthology offers rare access to Thai fiction, with excerpts and commentary spanning 20 novels chosen by ten Thai critics. Barang’s framing is informative, and the extensive context in the first half helps situate the selections. Some excerpts intrigue (The Circus of Life, The White Shadow); others feel more archival than engaging.

Valuable for comparative literature researchers and Southeast Asia specialists who want a mapped overview. Less helpful for readers seeking immersive narratives or stylistic innovation, since the emphasis is on explanation and framing.

*Notes:
--This is the introductory volume. The author later translated eleven of the 20 novels, ten of which were published as additional volumes in the series.
--First published in 1994 (Thai Modern Classics, hardcover); revised and reissued in 2008 (Thaifiction, paperback, ISBN 9786117107108); distributed digitally as an Internet edition in 2009, which survives today as the Kobo ebook.
--The series was produced in a limited print run of 3,200 copies.

What the set contains:

Eleven volumes: The introductory volume, The 20 Best Novels of Thailand by Marcel Barang, containing the background and general history of the novel in Thailand, biographical pieces re the selected authors and extracts from the novels; together with the first ten volumes of the series: The Path of the Tiger by Sila Khoamchai (first published 1989), The Circus of Life by Arkartdamkeung Rapheephat (1929), The Story of Jan Darra by Utsana Phleungtham (1966), The Judgment by Chart Korpjitti (1981), An Elephant Named Maliwan by Thanorm Maha Paoraya (1946), Of Time and Tide by Atsiri Thammachoat (1985), The Field of the Great by Marlai Choophinit (1954), Snakes by Wimon Sainimnuan (1984), Wanlaya's Love by Seinee Saowaphong (1952), and Time in a Bottle by Praphatsorn Seiwikun (1985).

Volumes 1-5 and 8 translated into English by Phongdeit Jiangphatthanarkit, volumes 6-7 and 9 by Marcel Barang, volume 10 by Barang and Jiangphatthanarkit, introductions and notes to all ten volumes by Marcel Barang. The series reached ten of the proposed twenty volumes before ending. All fine in dustwrappers with the bookmarks, glossaries and wraparound bands as issued.

Summary of the Series:

• Volume 1A The 20 Best Novels of Thailand: An Anthology by Marcel Barang
• Volumes 1–10 (Translations of selected novels):
1. The Path of the Tiger by Sila Khoamchai (1989)
2. The Circus of Life by Arkartdamkeung Rapheephat (1929)
3. The Story of Jan Darra by Utsana Phleungtham (1966)
4. The Judgment by Chart Korpjitti (1981)
5. An Elephant Named Maliwan by Thanorm Maha Paoraya (1946)
6. Of Time and Tide by Atsiri Thammachoat (1985)
7. The Field of the Great by Marlai Choophinit (1954)
8. Snakes by Wimon Sainimnuan (1984)
9. Wanlaya’s Love by Seinee Saowaphong (1952)
10. Time in a Bottle by Praphatsorn Seiwikun (1985)