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The French travel writer and exotic novelist Pierre Loti (1850-1923), in his day the youngest member elected to the Academie Francaise, had dreamt of visiting the ruins of Angkor when, as a child, he came across illustrations of them among some papers belonging to his elder brother, who had served in Indochina in the navy. Loti, whose real name was Julien Viaud, was a full-time professional naval officer and was able to realize his childhood dream of going to Angkor in 1901 when his ship stayed some time in Indochinese waters.
Though the time he spent at Angkor was brief, he writes captivatingly about the glory of the temples and their magnificent reliefs hidden in the jungle. He was also able to visit a royal mausoleum built by King Norodom, and describes a reception given for him at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on his return journey to Saigon.
Loti's book first appeared in French in 1912 and was translated into English the following year, with the inappropriate title Siam. Michael Smithies has revised this translation, adding footnotes and a new Introduction.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
Introduction
A Pilgrimage to AngkorDedication
I. [undated] Rochefort: a childhood encounter with Angkor
II. Saturday, 23rd November 1901--Saigon, My Tho
III. Sunday, 24th November 1901--To Phnom Penh
IV. Monday, 25 November 1901--Phnom Penh
V. Tuesday, 26th November 1901--Upstream from Phnom Penh
VI. Wednesday, 27 November 1901--Tonle Sap Lake
VII. Thursday, 28th November 1901--Angkor Wat and the Bayon: first impressions
VIII. Friday, 29th November 1901--Angkor Wat
IX. Saturday, 30th November 1901--Angkor Thom, the Bayon, departure from Angkor Wat
X. Sunday, 1st December 1901--Return through the Tonle Sap
XI. Monday, 2nd December 1901--Kampong Luorig: royal mausoleum
XII. Tuesday, 3rd December 1901--Phnom Penh: reception at the palace
XIII. October 1910 Rochefort: Postscript
About the author
Pierre Loti. Translated by W. P. Baine. Edited by Michael Smithies
