Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Review: Siam Nights by by J.F. Gump & Giveaway


Book Info:
Siam Nights: A Love Story by J.F. Gump
Paperback: 296 pages
Publisher: Sabai Books (November 9, 2008)
ISBN-13: 9780971485525
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3/5


Bad Luck Lady...She calls herself that sometimes. Tippawan is her given name but everyone knows her as Math. She doesn't know where her nickname came from, she just accepts it without question as a proper Thai lady should.

Math is a beautiful young woman in a mad dash to find herself. Her search takes her from the resort town of Pattaya on the Gulf of Siam to the beautiful city of Chiang Mai in the north. From the bed of her American lover to the arms of her dying father, she lives each day as if it might be her last. Join Math as she passes through one year of her incredible life.



I loved this book's setting in Thailand. Thailand isn't a country I know too much about, and what I have heard is mostly rave reviews for the beautiful beaches. Siam Nights introduces you to a different side of Thailand, one that most tourists don't see as it is populated with locals and their customs. I found this authentic view of Thailand fascinating.

Math is a complex character. In some ways she is the demure, contrite, proper Thai woman, but in other situations she is outspoken and brave. I found the difference interesting and honest. I think a lot of people behave one way around their families and sometimes very differently around their friends.

I found the flow of the writing a little halting at times. I think most of this was meant to portray Math's competency, but not proficiency, with English, but sometimes it was a little distracting. One thing I loved with regards to the language was in the inclusion of Thai phrases. They added another realistic layer to the book as I think some phrases would flow better in your native tongue than a secondary language.

Math is an entertaining and memorable character, and if you enjoy books set in far-off locales this is one for you. 3 stars

The Giveaway:

Mr Gump has graciously provided an autographed copy of Siam Nights: A Love Story to be given away to one lucky reader. This giveaway is open to the residents of the US and Canada. Sorry, but my postage budget only allows for international giveaways occasionally.

Now onto the rules:
--Leave a comment here for one entry
--Blog about the giveaway and link back here for a second entry
--Follow me or add me to your Google Reader for a third entry. Current subscribers are eligible for this too.

**Please leave a separate comment for each entry as I will be using the numbered comments to pick my winner. If you leave more than one entry in a comment, it won't be counted.

Please make sure you have a email address listed in your comment or on your profile. If I can't reach you, your entry won't count.

This contest will run until midnight April 29 and the winner will be chosen by random and posted on April 30.

53 comments:

deltay said...

Sounds awesome, count me in :)

lucidconspiracy at gmail dot com

deltay said...

I follow :)

Bridget said...

I've posted this on Win A Book. No need to enter me.

Jen said...

Sounds fascinating! Can I join?

Jen said...

I follow ^_^

Unknown said...

That book sounds cute! I love love stories :D hehe

Unknown said...

I'd like to enter.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

posted contest on my blog - http://bridget3420.blogspot.com

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Jake L said...

sounds good, please enter me into this giveaway.

thanks,
jakewoodworth(AT)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome! I'd like to be counted in!

jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower.

jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Please include me:)

nhertel85ATyahooDOTcom

Unknown said...

I follow.

nhertel85ATyahooDOTcom

sharon54220 said...

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Amber said...

Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway.
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Northernmama-Angela said...

I'm a book lover and hoarder too! Never enough shelves and so many books so little time...my mottos:) Count me in Please!
~Angela
northern_mama@yahoo.ca

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

Pam said...

I lived in Asia for 2 years and love to read books that remind me of my time there.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Erin @ CanadianGiveaways said...

sounds interesting!

Erin @ CanadianGiveaways said...

I blogged about this here:

CANADIAN GIVEAWAYS

Kaye said...

Sounds interesting. Please put my name in the random organizer. :) Thanks.

florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kaye said...

I am a follower

florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kaye said...

I posted a link in my contest sidebar

florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered. It sounds interesting and I love that it's set in Thailand.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Cindy said...
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Cindy said...
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Cindy said...
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Zibilee said...

Sounds very interesting, I would love to win a copy.

zibilee@figearo.net

Zibilee said...

II follow this blog as well

Sara said...

I can't remember reading anything Thai. So I NEED to read this book.

Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com

Sara said...

I'm a follower. Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

mindy said...

looks great thanks for the giveaway

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

I`d love to give this book a nice, hard long read.

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

I`m a follower. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a really interesting story! I'd like to enter the giveaway. :3 spiffyish @ hotmail.com

I'm a follower and I will be blogging about the giveaway on Monday at my book blog.

A Reader said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chris said...

Sounds interesting! I know almost nothing about Thailand, so this would be an "educational" read as well.

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

jwx4 said...

Looks like a great read.
jwx4(at)yahoo(dot)com

scottsgal said...

Thanks for the wonderful giveaway - count me in please

msboatgal at aol.com

Robin Lemke said...

This sounds fabulous. I love books set in Asia. Please eneter me!

mysteryrobin at blogspot dot com

Nickolay said...

Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance
jason@allworldautomotive.com

LittleEagle said...

This sounds like a great story and I look forward to reading it. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ellie Wright said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.

eswright18 at gmail dot com

Valerie said...

sounds enjoyable
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a good book, and the location/setting makes it even more so. Please enter me.
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Blogger
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

bloggytreasures said...

I'd be interested in reading this one.
quelleheure4[at]gmail{dot}com

bloggytreasures said...

I follow through google reader.

Belinda said...

This sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
1bmore @ gmail . com

a real librarian said...

Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

wendy wallach said...

I love to read about women from other cultures..sounds facinating and enlightening.

madmerkf at aol dot com