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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This is a sad sojourn through some countries of Asia and being LGBTI in them. Law tries to lighten the mood with his observations of various people's outfits and mannerisms but when he writes of "full blown AIDS" his own ignorance of the serious matters he touches reveals itself.
Interesting enough, but quite 'white' in its wide-eyed astonishment at how LGBTQ people live in Asia. The focus was also very heavily on gay men (perhaps because Ben Law himself is a gay man so found it easier to get into such circles), with only a handful of information on lesbians and queer women. The chapter on Indonesia was particularly disappointing, as Ben seemed to fall into the all-too-common trap of thinking Bali = Indonesia.
This book had the potential to be a lot more, but sadly it didn't quite reach the heights I had hoped for. Ben is a very good, very entertaining writer, so I hope his next book will be better.
This book had the potential to be a lot more, but sadly it didn't quite reach the heights I had hoped for. Ben is a very good, very entertaining writer, so I hope his next book will be better.
Facinating to read how homosexuality is seen and treated within certain countries of Asia. Burma was quite sad to read about.
I mean, books like this can never capture the depth and breadth of gay issues in Asia, so for what the book did touch on, Law did it with flair and humour. The personable stories he peppers throughout the book adds to the charm. Myanmar definitely broke me
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
The funniest audiobook I’ve ever listened to, while addressing real and important issues. I definitely recommend listening to this one because the author’s voice (and sometimes singing) brings the stories to life.
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Informative and fun, this was a good read and I appreciated the audiobook narration. This book showcases the real and genuine suffering and oppression so many queer people face while also sharing their joy, resilience, pride and creativity. I learnt a lot and got a fantastic sense of some of the people he interviewed.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
This reads like a Loui Theroux documentary. So good.
‘Gaysia’ is so hard to pin down, that I needed help finding it in a bookshop. With about 5 different genres, diverse subjects, and multiple techniques of exploration and exposition, Benjamin Law makes his book hard to place. Nevertheless, ‘Gaysia‘ is well worth finding. Law’s second published work explores the lives of LGBTQIA people across Asia, and shares his experiences with his readers through the lens of his personal experiences in gonzo journalistic style.
Read the rest of this review on my blog!
https://awordbythewayside.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/gaysia-by-benjamin-law-review/
Read the rest of this review on my blog!
https://awordbythewayside.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/gaysia-by-benjamin-law-review/
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This is a great book for anyone interested in travelogue and/or LGBT cultures around the world. Each chapter is dedicated to Law’s observations and interviews as a gay Australian Chinese man in a different South/East Asian country. Not all chapters will interest everyone, and I admit the final two had be quickly skimming due to a large focus on AIDs that I wasn’t fully vining with. However the chapters dealing with Trans women in Thailand and visibility of gays in China were really interesting. I recommend it but also would encourage all readers to excessive various degrees of ‘focused reading’ depending on your interest in the chapter’s focal issue.