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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Did Not Finish @ 25%
I was very eager to read "Anna and the King of Siam" because enjoy the musical "The King & I" which it is based off of it. But I found it be very disappointing and dull. The narrative felt a bit jumbled as it kept jumping from past to present without any clear indicators. On top of that, I felt as if the narrator of the story kept jumping all over the place. Since the novel is semi-fictionalized biographical account. I had trouble discerning what was fact and what was Anna's opinion because of Landon's writing style. I felt that Landon could have made the memoirs it was based off more cohesive so that story was easier to follow. I am a huge fan of historical book as well as those that involve travel, so I was really disappointed that I could not get into this book, but I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was very eager to read "Anna and the King of Siam" because enjoy the musical "The King & I" which it is based off of it. But I found it be very disappointing and dull. The narrative felt a bit jumbled as it kept jumping from past to present without any clear indicators. On top of that, I felt as if the narrator of the story kept jumping all over the place. Since the novel is semi-fictionalized biographical account. I had trouble discerning what was fact and what was Anna's opinion because of Landon's writing style. I felt that Landon could have made the memoirs it was based off more cohesive so that story was easier to follow. I am a huge fan of historical book as well as those that involve travel, so I was really disappointed that I could not get into this book, but I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
An interesting historical FICTION that is dated to the time it was written, but still a lovely story. There is a lot that was different than the play/movies and lots of details. I think we learn a lot about the impressions of the Western world of the Far East. If you look it up online, you see that the Thai find it racist and very fictional. If you keep that all in mind, you will enjoy the story.
I really enjoyed the book once you get past the background information, but after reading other's reviews I did not realize that because Siam (Thailand) was such an unknown place at the time that this book was published, that the extensive explanations on the surroundings may have been because it was such an unknown to many people. It really made me rethink those sections of the book.
It's hard to really give this book a proper review. Mainly because it's a mixture of 'fiction' and 'truth'. I wanted to read this book because for many years, growing up with the musical, I yearned to know how much was taken from the book. I also wished to know the truth.
The truth of the matter (ha!) is: this book wasn't all that great.
Margaret Landon is not a very good writer; the book is sloppily formatted at times it doesn't know if it's trying to be a biography or if it's trying to be fiction. It can be both, but the writing in some chapters was such a - pardon - clusterfuck that I couldn't bear to read any more.
The best chapters had to be about the Siamese that would come to Anna with their stories of peril. It was then the fictional prose seemed to shine and all the more so I became intrigued.
Being that my copy was abridged I question if reading the unabridged version would be any better.
There are many events and 'quotes' that were taken from the story and adapted into the musical. It's nice to see them.
All in all, this book was a bit of a mess. I'll be looking into reading the actual books by Anna Leonowens.
The truth of the matter (ha!) is: this book wasn't all that great.
Margaret Landon is not a very good writer; the book is sloppily formatted at times it doesn't know if it's trying to be a biography or if it's trying to be fiction. It can be both, but the writing in some chapters was such a - pardon - clusterfuck that I couldn't bear to read any more.
The best chapters had to be about the Siamese that would come to Anna with their stories of peril. It was then the fictional prose seemed to shine and all the more so I became intrigued.
Being that my copy was abridged I question if reading the unabridged version would be any better.
There are many events and 'quotes' that were taken from the story and adapted into the musical. It's nice to see them.
All in all, this book was a bit of a mess. I'll be looking into reading the actual books by Anna Leonowens.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is fiction, but written like an autobiography. Per the authors note it is 75% fact and 25% fiction based on fact. It is written from the multiple books of Anna Leonowen from her time in Siam (modern day Thailand). There are chapters devoted to governmental structures of the time which breaks the flow of the story. There isn't actually a story line but more of a series of vignettes told in chronological order. It is an interesting look at Siam in the 1860s. If you want a storyline watch The King and I (based on this book) but if you want a presentation of facts mixed with dialog, then read this book.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I always question the value of my small contribution in my sphere of influence. This book was about a woman who did the best she could to improve for good the world around her. She lived with integrity, determination and courage. Who saw the small opportunities around her and made the most of them. This book was about the few years that she lived in Siam - and was a teacher to the children and women of the King. Where she was payed very little, but did her best with the opportunities to serve that she encountered. I found it entertaining, inspiring, and often foreign - with presentation of customs and ideas that were so out of range of anything in my own experience. I will never be a teacher and governess to a capricious and tyrannical sovereign. However, Anna Leonowen's story reminded me to be true to the best ideals, and to courageously serve in whatever capacity i am in.
"Light and darkness! So it had been from the beginning and so it was to the end. Was the small good worth its cost, the cup of cold water, the binding of the wounded spirit, the occasional rescue, the word of teaching? Sometimes it was hard to decide whether the little she accomplished outweighed the pain of seeing continually evils she could not rectify.
Whenever she looked at Prince Chulalongkorn and others of her pupils, who were the new generation, the tomorrow of the country, she felt encouraged to hope. Her own personal triumphs seemed small as she totaled them, yet she found on reflection she was glad of each one."
This book was amazing. More so, because it wasn't just a made up story.
Knowing that I love the musical, "The King and I," TJ found and bought for me the book upon which is was based: "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon. Landon wrote this book following ten years of research in Siam, spurred on by reading the two books of Anna Leonowens: "The English Governess at the Siamese Court," and "The Romance of the Harem." Of her book Margaret Landon says, "It is 75% fact, and 25% fiction based on fact."
The editor, Elsie Weil, wrote: "Anna Leonowens was a real person, vivid and impelling, with very strong ideas about freedom, democracy, and the rights of the individual. With these ideas she swept through [King Mongkut's] Palace, in the 1860's, like a clean breeze...Her most important achievement was to implant some of her own idealism in the heart and consciousness of the young prince who was to succeed his father. "Mem cha," he said to her one day, "if I live to reign over Siam, I shall reign over a free and not an enslaved nation." True to his pledge, as King Chulalongkorn, Siam's greatest ruler, he abolished slavery and introduced many social and educational reforms. Many years later, in 1897, Anna met her royal pupil again in London, and had the satisfaction of knowing that her work in Siam had been well done."
"Light and darkness! So it had been from the beginning and so it was to the end. Was the small good worth its cost, the cup of cold water, the binding of the wounded spirit, the occasional rescue, the word of teaching? Sometimes it was hard to decide whether the little she accomplished outweighed the pain of seeing continually evils she could not rectify.
Whenever she looked at Prince Chulalongkorn and others of her pupils, who were the new generation, the tomorrow of the country, she felt encouraged to hope. Her own personal triumphs seemed small as she totaled them, yet she found on reflection she was glad of each one."
This book was amazing. More so, because it wasn't just a made up story.
Knowing that I love the musical, "The King and I," TJ found and bought for me the book upon which is was based: "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon. Landon wrote this book following ten years of research in Siam, spurred on by reading the two books of Anna Leonowens: "The English Governess at the Siamese Court," and "The Romance of the Harem." Of her book Margaret Landon says, "It is 75% fact, and 25% fiction based on fact."
The editor, Elsie Weil, wrote: "Anna Leonowens was a real person, vivid and impelling, with very strong ideas about freedom, democracy, and the rights of the individual. With these ideas she swept through [King Mongkut's] Palace, in the 1860's, like a clean breeze...Her most important achievement was to implant some of her own idealism in the heart and consciousness of the young prince who was to succeed his father. "Mem cha," he said to her one day, "if I live to reign over Siam, I shall reign over a free and not an enslaved nation." True to his pledge, as King Chulalongkorn, Siam's greatest ruler, he abolished slavery and introduced many social and educational reforms. Many years later, in 1897, Anna met her royal pupil again in London, and had the satisfaction of knowing that her work in Siam had been well done."
May I first say I was shocked by the realisation this was based on a true story. I had absoloutly no idea when I first started reading it and throughout the book found myself suprised by how real it all felt, turns out there was a very good reason for that fact. I realy enjoyed reading about the difficulties and small sucesses of Anna as she traversed this strange world with customs she didnt fully understand. I think she handled things well, trying to help where she could and only pushing as hard as she was able. The one person I found I had a strong dislike for was Moonande. I found him rude and disrespectful, they were all in a culture which wasn't their own yet the others though they disagreed often still showed some respect, he was just rude, I was glad when he left. I loved hearing of the royal children and was devastated when the little princess died (you know who I mean and I cant spell her name). The stories from after her time there were so sweet too. This book went so quickly, it was such an easy read. I would totally reccommend it.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF...I'm sure the story is lovely, but it's so long and so descriptive that it's hard for me to get through! I was hoping to finish this since I am not only seeing "The King and I" next week but I am also attending a book club that is a companion to the performance the following week. Alas, it's not to be. I'm still so excited for the musical since it's a classic!!