Behind the Painting: And Other Stories

By Siburapha

Book Overview

This volume brings together Siburapha's most highly acclaimed novel, Behind the Painting, with three short stories highlighting the plight of the underclass: "Those Kind of People," "Lend Us a Hand," and "The Awakening."

Behind the Painting is the story of a Thai student studying in Japan who becomes infatuated with an older Thai woman. The novel reflects postwar Thai society in the vanity of the aristocracy and the pragmatism of the new elite; in the social more of concealing one's true feelings; and in the restricted existence of unmarried women and the resulting pressure to marry, whatever the circumstance. Paralleling these Thai cultural themes are the universal themes of the fear of aging and the vagaries of love.

Siburapha (Kulap Saipradit, 1905-1974) has enjoyed a checkered reputation in the Thai literary world. A popular and accomplished writer of romantic novels in the late 1920s, his later work tackled themes of social injustice and inequality. Imprisoned from 1952 to 1957, Siburapha subsequently sought asylum in China, where he remained for the rest of his life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9747551144
• ISBN13: 9789747551143
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Silkworm Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 3.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Love story illuminating class differences in Thailand

Behind the Painting remains one of Thailand's most cherished novels. On the surface it chronicles the romance and eventual heartbreak between a married woman visiting Japan and her young guide, an overseas Thai student. Beyond that however, it is also a portrait of the end of the Thai aristocracy at the heels of the new bourgouis class. Kiralee, the young wife of a retired aristocrat, accompanies her husband on a trip to Japan. There, they are met by an overseas Thai student who has been assigned as their guide throughout their visit. Love soon begins to blossom between the two, only to be stunted by the woman's return to Thailand. Heartbroken, the young student buries himself in his career only to discover that upon his own return to Thailand several years later, he has forgotten the woman he once loved. She, however, has never forgoteen him.