Review: The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth

The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth by Veeraporn Nitiprapha
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Watch the book, it's trying to be stuffed." (Bing translated excerpt from one of the many Thai reviews. I was curious about them but most are nonsensical using an online translator, unfortunately.)

I was excited to read another newish translation by a female Thai author! It is based on the tropes of Thai soap operas, which I know nothing about, but that probably explains the death scenes, relationships, and ghosts. The central story is two sisters and a boy they pull into their family. I struggled a bit with the non linear nature (one character is introduced in his death scene and everything with him moves backwards from that) but enjoyed the details of flora/fauna/food/music/history. The translator note at the beginning is fascinating too. This was not an easy book to translate! But I am glad I got to read it.
.
This counts for two categories of #readingenvysummerreading - something blue and something translated! Arguably it might almost count for swampy considering that it is set along a river outside Bangkok.

View all my reviews