Bangkok Knights, first published in 1989, is Collin Piprell famous collection of short stories about the Bangkok go-go bar scene. Collin’s other books of fiction include Bangkok Old Hand (1993), Yawn ( 2003), Kicking Dogs (2000), and MOM (2010).
Read what each story is about here.
Girls,
I actually read most of ‘ Bangkok Knights’ and let me tell you this is a prime example of Dick Lit with the classical theme: Dude-Healing-through-Sausage-Fests.
Unless you’re particularly interested in Collin Piprell’s fond memories of vaginas, then skip it. Go Bangkok Blondes!!
I’ve read both, the Blondes and the Knights, and I don’t think we can compare them at all. The books are at two extremes (with very few exceptions): one is chick lit, the other dick lit.
mvs,
first i want to say how much i enjoy your website. great work you do there!!
As for the Blondes, I agree that some stories are chick lit. However, there’s a variety of genres, including poems, and most importantly a variety of characters, among men and women. All female characters in Knights reflect a deep Whore/Madonna complex in the author. Finally, the Blondes finally take us away from the same masturbatory clichés that are ruining Thailand’s reputation – as if all the exists in this country are whores, bars and drugs.
I couldn’t agree more, hence my conclusion to my review of “Bangkok Knights.”
Greetings.
Having tripped across this thread (oops), my first impulse was merely to chuckle and pass on. But I’ve changed my mind (obviously). I can sympathize with what I take to be rote championing of women’s dignity in this fair city, but I’d suggest you read a book before you slag it.
1. *Bangkok Knights* is fiction, so even if there were any dwelling on vaginas in it, these wouldn’t represent my memories, fond or otherwise.
2. To the best of my knowledge there are no vaginas in the book, other than by implication, since there are indeed women characters.
3. Anyone who’s read the book should know there are both bargirls and “polite” Thai women, as well as a few Western female characters. Overall, the women tend to be the strongest and sanest characters in the book; the men are patently arrested adolescents in need of guidance.
4. The nameless narrator, in most of the stories, is taking the mickey out of the male characters, adopting the lofty ironic perspective of an “old hand.” In the longest, and most interesting stories, he progressively reveals himself as being just as screwed up as any of the men he’s been making fun of. Final big irony–the actual point of the book, which you might have noticed if you’d taken the trouble to read it.
Cheers,
Collin