Asia · A READING GUIDE

Thailand

Duanwad Pimwana received the 2003 S.E.A. Write Award for Bright. Her urban coming-of-age story mixes community life with humour and touches of fable. Stories by Pimwana and Prabda Yoon offer shorter forms and contrasts between community and urban isolation. Novels by Chart Korbjitti and Veeraporn Nitiprapha connect social pressure with individual lives.

WHERE TO START

BrightDuanwad Pimwana
The Sad Part WasPrabda Yoon
The Blind Earthworm in the LabyrinthVeeraporn Nitiprapha

Explore the selection ↓

Books to begin with

An editorial selection · not ranked

Duanwad Pimwana

Bright

About the book

Abandoned five-year-old Kampol finds unexpected care in a working-class neighbourhood.

Original title: ช่างสำราญ (Chang Samran)

EnglishTranslation

Bright

Two Lines Press · 2019

Translated by Mui Poopoksakul

Edition source ↗

Duanwad Pimwana

Arid Dreams

About the book

Stories of ordinary Thai people expose class and gender inequalities through surprising, often bitter situations.

EnglishTranslation

Arid Dreams

Feminist Press

Edition source ↗

Prabda Yoon

The Sad Part Was

About the book

Experimental stories unsettle Bangkok’s everyday life through language play and absurdity.

EnglishTranslation

The Sad Part Was

Tilted Axis Press

Edition source ↗

Prabda Yoon

Moving Parts

About the book

Surreal stories explore the body, sexuality and unexpected human relationships.

EnglishTranslation

Moving Parts

Tilted Axis Press

Edition source ↗

Chart Korbjitti

The Judgment

About the book

A village community destroys Fak’s reputation by giving rumour greater power than truth.

EnglishTranslation

The Judgment

Howling Books

Edition source ↗

Veeraporn Nitiprapha

Memories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat

About the book

A Chinese family saga in Siam interweaves private ambitions, love and twentieth-century political upheaval.

EnglishTranslation

Memories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat

River Books

Edition source ↗

Uthis Haemamool

The Fabulist

About the book

A polyphonic narrative joins generations of a family with myth, violence and Thai history.

EnglishTranslation

The Fabulist

Penguin Books

Edition source ↗

Context and sources

Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.