Thai Girl

[steve@thaib]

Anyone else read this? This is the book Harry reviewed and reccommended in his last column.

I think it's a good read, I enjoyed it. The guy obviously has a good understanding of Thailand and the bar scene, and for a book published out there the grammar and production qualities are really good. That might seem like a precious point but C G Moore's books drive me crazy with typos.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Anyone else read this? This is the book Harry reviewed and reccommended in his last column.

I think it's a good read, I enjoyed it. The guy obviously has a good understanding of Thailand and the bar scene, and for a book published out there the grammar and production qualities are really good. That might seem like a precious point but C G Moore's books drive me crazy with typos.

i hated the end though! seemed to just stop.

[MajorTom]

Yes, got it last year. A very good read

Who is Harry?

[steve@thaib]

Harry used to write a column for phuket-info, but we don't seem to have heard from him in a while.

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by marc26

i hated the end though! seemed to just stop.

Maybe there were some pages missing at the back of the book?

What is the name of the author?

[steve@thaib]

Originally Posted by marc26

i hated the end though! seemed to just stop.

I think the ending is the weakest part of the book, you are right there. I did enjoy reading it though.

[steve@thaib]

Originally Posted by gez

Maybe there were some pages missing at the back of the book?

What is the name of the author?

It's by a guy called Andrew Hicks:

http://www.thaigirl2004.com/

I am helping him out with his website now, just doing a bit of maintenance, and have had a few telephone conversations with him. Seems like a really nice bloke.

I think the ending is a bit odd, it just kind of runs out of steam. I've just lent my copy to a Thai girl, it will be interesting to see what she makes of it.

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I think the ending is a bit odd, it just kind of runs out of steam. I've just lent my copy to a Thai girl, it will be interesting to see what she makes of it.

A fire???

Thanks, I'll see if the library in Llangefni has got it

[andy-h]

I'm delighted that my novel "Thai Girl" has gone down okay with Forum members. If you have a look at www.thaigirl2004.com, you'll see that my first foray into fiction has done far better than I ever expected, with a new publisher in Singapore now offering it worldwide and on Amazon.
But I aways knew the ending wasn't what every reader's going to want. A friend who read the draft for me, a tough Aussie bloke, was wanting Ben to get his girl so much that on reading to the end, he was gutted when Ben copped out and got back on the plane, despite all his passion for Fon. He suggested some alternative endings to me that would have wrapped it up more positively... for example that he has a row at the airport with Emma and heads back to look for Fon, or even that Fon is waiting for him at Departures and they sail off into the sunset together.
But I was reluctant as this would have made it a completely different novel, a standard poolside romance. On the contrary I wanted it to be an easy read but with a serious side to it... to make the reader reflect a bit about Thailand and about the mutual admiration and incomprehension that exists between farang and Thais. Novelists can produce silly endings out of hats and it's not very difficult, but it's the journey and not arriving that's more important. Victorian novels always tied up the loose ends, but that's not necessarily the style today as it leaves little for the reader to reflect upon.
So what is the realistic ending when two very young backpackers suspend reality with a few months holiday in Thailand? Inevitably, they find themselves at Heathrow staring out of the window at a rain swept runway. Meanwhile the Thai woman who told Ben she didn't want to risk her heart, and who tried to remain independent but ultimately fell for him, is left on her island wondering.
Emma told Ben off on the plane about leading Fon into a hopeless holiday romance and the reader is left to ponder the consequences for Fon and like her to wonder what Ben is going to do about all his promises. Most likely, as a nice middle class lad, he is now back on the rails and committed to a conventional career in London. That's what was always likely to happen even if it leaves the reader feeling slightly disappointed.
That's life and I wanted my story to reflect reality and not to sell out to the commercial pressures of a slushy ending. But I hope the story doesn't just stop as you suggest. Ben, the protagonist comes to the end of his trip and goes home, as was inevitable, but not without a strong drubbing from Emma on the plane in which they review the course of their holidays and she makes him reflect on the impact that Ben may have had on Fon's life.
Maybe you think that's just a load of pretentious crap! The farang always gets his girl! Okay, so the ending was always going to be a bit controversial, but I think more readers like it than loathe it.
I wonder what the critics of the ending think ought to have happened?
It's good to talk and thanks for your effort and interest in discussing the book. It and it's subject matter are very dear to my heart. And do have a look at the Readers Forum on www.thaigirl2004.com. It's been of huge satisfaction to me to have had this (and your) feedback on the book. Without it the work of several years would just disappear into a black hole with no response. Writing is a lonely business and you never meet your audience, but it crosses my mind that from the number of copies that have been sold, there's probably somebody somewhere in the world at any given moment reading "Thai Girl", perhaps even weeping or splitting their sides! Or complaining about the ending.

Andrew Hicks

[IRISH JONNY]

Good Read..i Read It Last Year............
Ij

[marc26]

Originally Posted by andy-h

I'm delighted that my novel "Thai Girl" has gone down okay with Forum members. If you have a look at www.thaigirl2004.com, you'll see that my first foray into fiction has done far better than I ever expected, with a new publisher in Singapore now offering it worldwide and on Amazon.
But I aways knew the ending wasn't what every reader's going to want. A friend who read the draft for me, a tough Aussie bloke, was wanting Ben to get his girl so much that on reading to the end, he was gutted when Ben copped out and got back on the plane, despite all his passion for Fon. He suggested some alternative endings to me that would have wrapped it up more positively... for example that he has a row at the airport with Emma and heads back to look for Fon, or even that Fon is waiting for him at Departures and they sail off into the sunset together.
But I was reluctant as this would have made it a completely different novel, a standard poolside romance. On the contrary I wanted it to be an easy read but with a serious side to it... to make the reader reflect a bit about Thailand and about the mutual admiration and incomprehension that exists between farang and Thais. Novelists can produce silly endings out of hats and it's not very difficult, but it's the journey and not arriving that's more important. Victorian novels always tied up the loose ends, but that's not necessarily the style today as it leaves little for the reader to reflect upon.
So what is the realistic ending when two very young backpackers suspend reality with a few months holiday in Thailand? Inevitably, they find themselves at Heathrow staring out of the window at a rain swept runway. Meanwhile the Thai woman who told Ben she didn't want to risk her heart, and who tried to remain independent but ultimately fell for him, is left on her island wondering.
Emma told Ben off on the plane about leading Fon into a hopeless holiday romance and the reader is left to ponder the consequences for Fon and like her to wonder what Ben is going to do about all his promises. Most likely, as a nice middle class lad, he is now back on the rails and committed to a conventional career in London. That's what was always likely to happen even if it leaves the reader feeling slightly disappointed.
That's life and I wanted my story to reflect reality and not to sell out to the commercial pressures of a slushy ending. But I hope the story doesn't just stop as you suggest. Ben, the protagonist comes to the end of his trip and goes home, as was inevitable, but not without a strong drubbing from Emma on the plane in which they review the course of their holidays and she makes him reflect on the impact that Ben may have had on Fon's life.
Maybe you think that's just a load of pretentious crap! The farang always gets his girl! Okay, so the ending was always going to be a bit controversial, but I think more readers like it than loathe it.
I wonder what the critics of the ending think ought to have happened?
It's good to talk and thanks for your effort and interest in discussing the book. It and it's subject matter are very dear to my heart. And do have a look at the Readers Forum on www.thaigirl2004.com. It's been of huge satisfaction to me to have had this (and your) feedback on the book. Without it the work of several years would just disappear into a black hole with no response. Writing is a lonely business and you never meet your audience, but it crosses my mind that from the number of copies that have been sold, there's probably somebody somewhere in the world at any given moment reading "Thai Girl", perhaps even weeping or splitting their sides! Or complaining about the ending.

Andrew Hicks

1st, thanks for taking time to answer your critics, me being one of them.
i liked your explanation and it does bring the story together, but when reading it i just felt it kind of just ended
that being said, it was a nice read and you really impressed me with this post and have a fan awaiting your upcoming work

[LivinLOS]

One of the very few Thai based novels mentioned that I havent got my hands on yet..

Though I would say as the authour perhaps you should consider not posting the end in public for those that have not yet had a chance.. Some kind of spoliers flags required

[steve@thaib]

Thanks for posting Andrew. It's pretty rare to have someone back-up their work, an interesting insight.

[andy-h]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

One of the very few Thai based novels mentioned that I havent got my hands on yet..

Though I would say as the authour perhaps you should consider not posting the end in public for those that have not yet had a chance.. Some kind of spoliers flags required

Whoops! Sorry, I've given the story away! Though as I say, I think the ending is inevitable, barring Emma being eaten by sharks or Ben getting off with Fon and finding she's really a katoey. The story reflects the reality that everything is impermanent, that there is no real closure in life and it is the journey that's important.

Anyway, don't tell me you never flick to the end of the novel and cheat!

Enjoy!

Andrew

[LivinLOS]

Me.. Look for a happy ending.. With my reputation

[Nicke]

I will give this book a try, I just skipped the part of the end discussion above. My latest book in this genre was "Thai girls dont cry" but my favourite so far is still... eh, the book by the hippie girl. (Patpong Sisters?)

[Warrior]

Andrew,

Thank you for posting your insight on this matter. I’ve read the novel four months ago, and I was disappointed at that time by its ending – struck and disappointed. Now that I have read your feelings and considerations, I agree that it is more realistic, less a ‘sweet-dream-romance’ ending.
It leaves us with that feeling of being struck, and the opportunity for ourselves to consider things like the consequences of Ben’s acts for Fon. Or even the consequences of some of our own acts.
Thanks a lot for this pretty rare opportunity.

[Dojoden]

Steve I finished the book the other night and really did not think that much of it really. I preferred Private dancer as a faster read. Some of the noobie experiences were good to read about again but the whole thing with his farang GF was to long. His political take did not belong it just slowed the book up. And yes the sudden ending did not mesh in right. It was nice to read but would not be my first choice. Congrats to AH on his success of the book though.

[steve@thaib]

Originally Posted by Dojoden001

Steve I finished the book the other night and really did not think that much of it really. I preferred Private dancer as a faster read. Some of the noobie experiences were good to read about again but the whole thing with his farang GF was to long. His political take did not belong it just slowed the book up. And yes the sudden ending did not mesh in right. It was nice to read but would not be my first choice. Congrats to AH on his success of the book though.

It's a very different read to Private Dancer or any of the other nightlife/bargirl books, but I don't think that's a bad thing. At least you finished it

[Dojoden]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

It's a very different read to Private Dancer or any of the other nightlife/bargirl books, but I don't think that's a bad thing. At least you finished it

Yes I wanted to finish it cos loads were talking about it MTB adn then I read the thread, so I was up for it. Just a slow read IMO. I skipped over the whole political view section as well. IT was between this and the Butterfly Trap in the bookstore. Since I did not have time to borrow yours I had to buy it. Now I want to Butterfly Trap to read I did enjoy a few sections though. I have never been to Samet or Chang.