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Review
Candid interviews with the 'kathoey' themselves, a history of the phenomenon and a whole buncha science make this a ... winner -- Bizarre, June 2003
Mixing interviews with extensive cultural, religious and historical research... Worthy and intelligent. -- 'Ham & High'
Mixing interviews with extensive cultural, religious and historical research... an exhaustive account of 'the third sex'... Worthy and intelligent. -- 'Ham & High'
amongst the personal stories, which Totman tells with sensitivity and insight, there are plenty of statistics... alternately entertaining and poignant. -- 'Literary Review', May 2003
Mixing interviews with extensive cultural, religious and historical research... Worthy and intelligent. -- 'Ham & High'
Mixing interviews with extensive cultural, religious and historical research... an exhaustive account of 'the third sex'... Worthy and intelligent. -- 'Ham & High'
amongst the personal stories, which Totman tells with sensitivity and insight, there are plenty of statistics... alternately entertaining and poignant. -- 'Literary Review', May 2003
Synopsis
A cultural history of the Kathoey (Ladyboys), their role in Thai society and a biographical account of three kathoey and their lives. It is an description of the kathoey as they were traditionally received in Asian and Buddhist society and the changes brought about by Western tourism to the area, specifically the sex industry that has developed in Thailand. An accessible and fascinating description of a wide range of subjects: including the Buddhist concept of karma and sexuality, the biological consequences of trans-gender (why were a Thai basketball team all ladyboys?) and a history of trans-gender in other cultures around the world. Are the Kathoey a deviation or a third sex?
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
My first reading of this book put me to sleep. This has never happened to me before when reading books about transgenderism. I needed several sittings to read through it. The subject matter was what kept me reading. Parts of the book I found to be quite well written - the stories of 3 young kathoey. In all, but one instance, the telling of the kathoey's stories was interesting. The one reflection where it could have been a lot better was about the 65 year old kathoey in Khoen Khan. I learned a lot about the Buddhist religion and kathoey in Thailand. All of this left me a bit sad though. The condition of kathoey being depicted as paying for previous sins in previous lives. This book should be read by all women with a trangender background who are thinking of moving to Thailand. Things are not as rosey as they appear. Once can even pick up on this when watching the films "The Iron Ladies 1 and 2". Thailand is not transgender heaven. The last chapter about aging kathoey should have not even been written - so little said - 3 pages or so. It appeared as if it was written at the Bangkok International Airport while the auther waited for the flight back to London. The author was in a position to really gather deep insight into the lives of kathoey and the society they live in (are tolerated in). I think he should have put more work into his book than spending time at the cabaret shows which he discusses to much length. Way too much repetition in the book. Oh well, he did lead me to another book - this one about the Hijra in India which I've ordered. Hope it is better. For me this book is a simple 3 - meaning okay.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is not the sort of salacious account you might read in the newspapers.
Nor is it a superficial Western guidebook account of 'transvestite cabarets.'
Richard Totman lived with a Thai family for several months listening to the kathoey telling their own stories,
and adding an account of their long history as an intrinsic part of Thai culture and their relationship to the nation's religion.
But most of all, this a charming account of real human beings.
Nor is it a superficial Western guidebook account of 'transvestite cabarets.'
Richard Totman lived with a Thai family for several months listening to the kathoey telling their own stories,
and adding an account of their long history as an intrinsic part of Thai culture and their relationship to the nation's religion.
But most of all, this a charming account of real human beings.
By luv books
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Boring , got fed up with it and didn't finish it . It was just the same thing over and over again
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting and enjoyable read
After watching the Ladyboys of Bangkok in Manchester recently, I decided to purchase this book and I'm glad I did. Read more
Published on 13 July 2007 by Karen Prince
2.0 out of 5 stars
In need of an editor...
From such a scholarly writer, this is a curiously unscholarly work. It appears to be a book written in a hurry, without being properly edited. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2005 by "philip16117"
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