Asia novels
 

I am going to Thailand and Siam Reap and want to bring a book with me that is set in Asia. I am not tied to those two countries, but that would help. Could definitley be non-fiction, just something that will hold my interest and get me "psyched" for the trip and provide some insight. Suggestions?

It's definitely...Bangkok 8....You won't be able to put it down.I just finished it last month. Happy Travels!

i just read "bangkok 8 "while in bkk in october. great novel...gives you a real look into how local buddhists think and act.
i also read "first they killed my father" written by a young woman survivor of khmer rouge
and the gate...written by a frenchman bizot , he was the only white man who survived encampment and the fall of phenom phen., river of time..another
book about cambodia is worthwhile.
also, dawn rooneys book on angkor wat
has lots of history and well as temple information

My favorites:
Passage to India EM Forster
The Year of Living Dangerously C Koch
The Quiet American G Greene
Saint Jack P Theroux
These are all Asian classics -- well written, atmospheric and compelling tales. Less classic but also entertaining is The Beach by A Garland.

I just realized that these were all made into movies. The books are definitely better!

For something more unusual, try Four Reigns by Kukrit -- a novel that covers 50 years in the life of Thailand. May not be great literature but is written by a Thai about his culture and history and it's quite engrossing. It's a family saga.

Another novel that takes place in Thailand is "Kingdom of Make Believe"

Yeah, The Year of Living Dangerously, the movie is quite good. I own a couple of copies of it.And the movie...The Quiet American is ok, but the above movie is much better. The character of Billy won an Oscar...so a friend informed me.Billy is the ACTRESS that played Judge Zoe on The Practice. I watched the movie for years never realizing that the male-portrayed character was a female.Happy Travels!

Saigon - Anthony Grey
Peking -Anthony Grey
The Quiet American - Graham Green
Three Moons in Vietnam - Maria Coffey
Wild Swans - Jung Chang

All are great books and to a greater or lesser degree, based in fact.

I've just started Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. I can't put it down. Many sleepless nights to follow with me up reading methinks!

India - set in Mumbai - "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry.