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The tropical kingdom of early-20th-century Siam is the lush setting of this poignant Asian love story. While working in Bangkok from 1909 to 1911, French jurist, soldier, and author Paul-Louis Rivière fell in love with the exotic land and its people. His personal experiences inspired him to craft a tale about a young boy, Poh Deng, growing up near the lovely Mè Ping, as a tender romance blossoms between them. As their futures unfold, fate intervenes: Mè Ping is chosen to become a dancer in the Royal Court Ballet, while Poh Deng joins the ranks of Buddhist monks. Their destinies seem to diverge...
More than a century ago, Rivière was a contemporary eye-witness to a land, people, and era that have long since disappeared. Or have they? His wonderfully nuanced prose introduces readers into nearly every aspect of the modern culture of Thailand. A keen observer, Rivière infused his tale with Thai passions, attitudes, customs, and even the language. Poh-Deng truly gives readers an intimate glimpse into the Thai soul, and what it means to be Thai. Equally amazing is that - despite the passage of time - his observations still serve readers as accurate, relevant, and engaging.
This modern edition faithfully reproduces the rare 1913 original color edition, illustrated by the renowned French artist, Joseph de la Nézière, and originally limited to only 350 copies. In the words of editor Kent Davis, "Poh Deng is the most beautifully illustrated book about Siam that has ever been published."
This modern edition in a larger format showcases de la Nézière's exquisite illustrations in stunning detail. The volume is further enriched by a contemporary foreword by University of Nantes Professor Henri Copin, and appendices with editor's notes, the author's 1911 first-person account of the Coronation of King Rama VI, comprehensive biographical profiles of the author and artist, and a Thai-English glossary of unique terms and places found in the text..
This meticulously crafted edition, with its wealth of illustrations and supplementary materials, offers readers a window into an enchanting world of forbidden love, Asian cultural traditions, and timeless conflict.
