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pziemlewicz's review
2.0
I read this ~25 years ago and loved it. Sadly, for me, this title didn't withstand the test of time. While pieces were still beautiful, the idea of a white savior bringing culture to a savage population no longer appeals.
katymvt's review
4.0
This was pretty interesting with a lot of stuff I had no idea about. But, sometimes there was too much detail, and I can't help but wonder if Anna was really as much of a saint as she was portrayed.
jennshelfishlife's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I grew up in a household where my mother loved The King and I, she had the record, and if it aired on the telly, we all had to watch. Mom even went to a performance with Yul Brynner in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s.
Based on this familial love, I read Anna and the King of Siam for a book challenge prompt (Books set in Thailand).
This was a chunkier classic and read slower than more contemporary novels, but it was fascinating.
Anna and the King of Siam examine 19th-century Thailand, especially the cultural practices and beliefs. The story follows the life of Anna Leonowens and her work as a teacher/governess to King Mongkut's broad of children. The novel is written with little wiggle room for acceptance of Thai culture, so one should anticipate that biases are in the story. However, it is essential to note that the book is a classic and will address cultural norms differently.
Overall, it was exciting, but I prefer to read a nonfiction novel about 19th-century Thailand to learn more about the culture and the monarchy.
I recommend Anna and the King of Siam to fans of classic literature.
Based on this familial love, I read Anna and the King of Siam for a book challenge prompt (Books set in Thailand).
This was a chunkier classic and read slower than more contemporary novels, but it was fascinating.
Anna and the King of Siam examine 19th-century Thailand, especially the cultural practices and beliefs. The story follows the life of Anna Leonowens and her work as a teacher/governess to King Mongkut's broad of children. The novel is written with little wiggle room for acceptance of Thai culture, so one should anticipate that biases are in the story. However, it is essential to note that the book is a classic and will address cultural norms differently.
Overall, it was exciting, but I prefer to read a nonfiction novel about 19th-century Thailand to learn more about the culture and the monarchy.
I recommend Anna and the King of Siam to fans of classic literature.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Brutally hard to read in places, but also a great slice of history. I'm curious to read the diaries this book was based on as well, to compare...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping and Adult/minor relationship
a_chickletz's review
2.0
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.
samwescott's review
2.0
Very Kipling-esque white savior novel. The story was intriguing, but I really couldn't get past the racist caricatures and general white-man's-burden bullshit. I can't really recommend this book.
maigahannatu's review
4.0
This is a historical novel based on the life and writings of Anna Leonowens. In the 1860's she served as governess of the king of Siam's dozens of children as well as his private secretary. She worked hard to right many of the wrongs taking place around her and was highly influential in shaping the thinking of the crown Prince. When he became king, he outlawed slavery and many demeaning practices such as prostration before anyone of higher rank. For me the book bogged down in places with historical detail, but Margaret Landon does a fabulous job telling Anna's story. And I must say, the movie Anna and the King is highly romanticized and bears little resemblance to the book!
bartendm's review
4.0
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.