Jake Needham’s New Book
Posted by sideshowBOB | Reader Submissions | Posted on May 7th, 2006
To get the basic information on the book, where to buy and so on – go here.
I am not a good writer of book reviews because I generally do not like to give a lot of details away about the book since I like to have the story unfold as I read the book not having prior knowledge of the book. So for business books and works of non-fiction I typically use a review to help me decide whether to purchase the book but for works of fiction I generally only read the back cover and pick books based more on gut feeling than anything else.
However I have been a big fan of Jake’s books for many years and as some of you may know that The Big Mango Bar take’s its name partially from The Big Mango book. Given this – I see Jake quite often to discuss the nuances of residing in Thailand, the book industry and how I should grow up and get my act together. Its okay – I need the prodding. So anyway, Jake came in a few weeks back to drop of the Ambassador’s Wife before it hit the shelves and told me to get reading. So I did but I paced myself knowing that once I finished the book I would have to wait awhile for another Needham book. Book finished. Very much enjoyed it.
I liked this one a lot for various reasons but I am not going to give the plot line away but just highlight some of the cool stuff. The new character, Samuel Tay, is great. At first I found myself a little irritated by him but he grew on me. Now I love him, feel sorry for him and hope he can pull his personal shit together but at the same time I feel better about myself knowing Samuel Tay has bigger struggles than my own.
Singapore. I have never really liked the place. Sure I used to travel there at least once a month but I was always happier to find myself taking off rather than landing at Changi. I have nothing against the place but it does not turn my gears and the way Jake describes Singapore evokes the same feelings I have about the place. The change of setting was nice and the use of Bangkok and Singapore was well done.
The murders. They were grisly, clearly described and grossed me out just a bit. I am sure that was the point. Jake has mentioned that this is a new departure for him – moving away from the financial crimes but I like the change and it is a great backdrop for the book. I am just concerned though that maybe he is watching a little too much CSI: * on AXN so I may just have to talk to him about that next time we have a run in.
Slamming on the US. Thank god someone is willing to do it and I enjoyed all the little barbs that were thrown out about the US. Good stuff and reminds me why I am living in Bangkok versus the United States of George Bush. Listening to Tay tease, cajole and enjoy himself at the expense of the Americans was a nice touch.
Sex was in the air but not too much so and that is a nice touch but I do hope Samuel gets some at one point because I think he needs it and amazingly enough it appears that some very nice ladies are willing to give it to him if only he could decipher their signals.
Enough said. Great read and I wish Jake all the best. Like a fine wine, like my tattoos – Jake’s writing continues to improve as time progresses.
7 Responses to “Jake Needham’s New Book”
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Translator
Book for the idiot eh?
Was this book dedicated to Miss Sukarn and John S(ukarn?) by chance?
View all comments by Daywalker
You can finding this one with other farangs book – “Oriental Adam Occidental Eve” – “A Cheating Smile” – “Hardship Posting Part 2″.
It’s kee nok.
View all comments by Miss Sukarn
So sorry – you saying I can only say these books are the best!! so sorry I have a different idea from you.
Thai book and literature is wonderful and very deep. You just cannot read Thai. So go back to your farangs bar.
Oh you say you love all this bloke’s books. He must be so amazing to you because even great writer have the bad one or more than one.
If Big Mango is such a good book should have a real publisher not self pushling.
View all comments by Miss Sukarn
Big Mango & Ambassador Wife is trash.
View all comments by Miss Sukarn
I read this and agree everything with Miss Sukarn.
Before, he says the Sopranos will be making this to be a movie.
But never happen!!
How can you compare this to John Grisham? John Grisham does not even know him.
View all comments by Thai best
Well I can’t can’t comment upon Jake Needham’s books as I’ve never read one, but perhaps Ms Sukarn’s perception stems from from fact that they are to be found with some frankly appalling quality publications on the airport Asian Interest stands.
I am though somewhat surprised to see an ostensibly Thai would be literary critic here. Other than a colleague who has by his own reckoning around 10,000 books, I amost never seen any Thai reading anything other than a text book, newspaper, magazine or comic.
View all comments by Combover
so folks – Let’s step back and talk about miss sukarn for a minute.
She or he has had nothing rational to say at all.
She seems to think anything written by farangs about Thailand is bad. Whatever. Funny – a very famous book written by a young Thai about Thailand also talks about hookers and bargirls and Thai men using prostitutes. Oh my. Must be trash then. A lot of Thai women always have a hard time when things are written about Thailand that might discuss bar girls and stuff.
jake’s books are not even in that category though. As for John Grishman – sure he is a huge author but I find most of his books to be boring, cookie cutter and written for small town america. Give me a break.
But to cut to the point. Let’s talk about how technically inept Miss Sukarn is.
10:59 am miss sukarn’s first comment
11:00 am miss sukarn’s second comment
then this comment at 11:11 am:
I read this and agree everything with Miss Sukarn.
Before, he says the Sopranos will be making this to be a movie.
But never happen!!
How can you compare this to John Grisham? John Grisham does not even know him.
also by miss sakarn using her some email and same IP address to pump up her own comments.
miss sukarn. go away please
get a life
keep it up and I will put your IP and email on the blog for everyone to see and spam.
cheers
View all comments by smitty