Anna and the King of Siam

By Margaret Landon

Book Overview

The bestselling book that inspired
the musical play and film The King and I

"Enchanting.
. . . The author wears her scholarship with grace, and the amazing story she
has to tell is recounted with humor and understanding. And what a story it is " --Atlantic Monthly
Anna Leonowens, a proper
Englishwoman, was an unlikely candidate to change the course of Siamese (Thai)
history. A young widow and mother, her services were engaged in the 1860's by
King Mongkut of Siam to help him communicate with foreign governments and be
the tutor to his children and favored concubines.
Stepping off the steamer from
London, Anna found herself in an exotic land she could have only dreamed of: a
lush landscape of mystic faiths and curious people, and a king's palace
bustling with royal pageantry, ancient custom, and harems. One of her pupils,
the young prince Chulalongkorn, was particularly influenced by Leonowens and
her Western ideals. He learned about Abraham Lincoln and the tenets of
democracy from her, and years later he would become Siam's most progressive
king. He guided the country's transformation from a feudal state to a modern
society, abolishing slavery and making many other radical reforms.

Weaving
meticulously researched facts with richly imagined scenes, Margret Landon
recreates an unforgettable portrait of life in a forgotten exotic land. Originally
published in 1944, and translated into dozens of languages, Anna
and the King of Siam continues to delight and enchant readers
around the world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060954884
• ISBN13: 9780060954888
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Skillful blend of fact and fiction in an enduring favorite

The history of Anna and the King of Siam is as romantic as the story itself. Author Margaret Landon found what may have been the only copy of Anna' book, The English Governess at the Siamese court while she was a missionary in Thailand. Later, she located the Romance of the Harem in a second-hand bookstore in Chicago. She paid a $1 for the book, which turned out to be a fine investment. Landon combined the two books and added fictional elements to create a skillfully written novel. The exotic setting and romantic story so impressed the wives of both Rogers and Hammerstein that they convinced their husbands to write a musical based on the book. And thus we get the musical The King and I, plus several movies, most recently one with Jodie Foster.Landon wrote other novels (Never Dies the Dream) based on her missionary experience but never achieved the same greatness as in Anna and the King of Siam. This is a well structured novel, with a lot of drama. The death scene of the Fa-ying is incredibly touching. Anna is believable; sometimes annoyingly persistent, other times selfless and very very brave. The actual writins of Anna Leonowens are also available. It's fun to read Landon's book and then the source material she used. You may agree with me that Landon's skill as a novelist took Anna's story and made it unforgettable.

An "almost true story"

Kids shouild have fun reading this and later on they can read the older version. Anna in later life di make up a false background buyt only because she could not succeed with the one sha had. She was poor but well educated as her writing shows. She was fluent in 13 languages, and is recorded by people to have been thanked by Chulalkongkorn for teaching him about the evils of slavery which he ended. Even her greatest detractor gives her credit. She was known in BAngkok as the White Angel as her grandchild did write. Her life after Siam is just as spectacular. The book may not tell the full truth (Anna needed to sell her books so exaggerated but she records she and the king as actually being good friends) but tellls an amazing tale.

Anna and the King of Siam; The Power of One Life

This is truly a tale of the power of one life. Anna Leonowens remarkable story reminds us that truth and compassion are the most powerful weapons against oppression, tyranny and fear. Anna's boldness and confidence in the face of King Mongkut's absolute power over life and death was rooted in her faith. This faith also inspired her to endless acts of selfless compassion towards the oppressed of Siam. Her relationship with Prince Chulalongkorn, the love and understanding they shared, is touching. It is significant that later in his life (after reigning over Siam for 29 years) he ascribed to Anna the credit for imparting to him the principles he needed to know in order to transform his country.

A story about courage, culture and relationships.

I was drawn to Anna and the King of Siam because of the Musical, The King and I. I not only enjoyed reading the book, but I also enjoyed comparing the two works based on the same woman's courage and dedication. Anna Leonowen's life and work in Siam is not only facinating, but an interesting aspect of history as well. The book shares and outlines this story in an interesting and exciting way. Anna had to have great courage and dedication to do what she did in her time. The difference in culture was alluring to her, as well as shocking at times. Throughout her time in Siam, she formed many friendships, and she had many who admired her. She gained a few enemies as well. Anna also had an intriging relationship with the King, which fluctuated on a regular basis. Anna was truly a remarkable woman, as was her story. I loved it!

A historically correct, heart warming tale of a brave woman.

I am 14 years old, and have recently read this wonderful book. It is sometimes slightly gruesome (i.e., Lady Tuptim) but more often good prevails, and Margaret Landon did an excellent job of combining Anna Leonowens books and many historical documents to create this book. I hope everyone who reads it, young or old, agrees and enjoys.