A Slanted Memoir of Siam

Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I now understand why this book is banned in Thailand. Anna (and Margaret Landon) elevates herself above the Siamese and belittles the king in print with childish adjectives and primitive descriptions. Rama IV, King Mongut, was an incredible ruler who ushered Thailand from the old ways into the new. Of course the country would struggle as it transitioned, as would he. Anna instead degrades him, setting herself up on a pedastle of faith and intellect. She is an ugly example of what happens when stubborn pride and superiority forbid an expat to embrace his or her host culture.

View all my reviews