Thirty-Three Teeth
3 journalers for this copy...
Winner of the Dilys Award, about which the New York Times Book Review said, "keeps a perfect balance between the modern mysteries of forensic science and the ancient secrets of the spirit world."
Very, very good if more than a little outside my usual sphere of mysteries. Set in Laos shortly after the Communists came to power (mid to late 1970s, I think), it has quite a bit of commentary on bureaucracy and power politics in it as part of the back story. The main character, Siri, is the national coroner, a thankless job, but he also has connections to the spiritualistic beliefs of the Lao people and Buddhism. He is conflicted by the dichotomy, as is the book, but in a believable way. The characters are very captivating and I will seek out the other books in this series to read because I enjoyed spending time with them.
As far as the mystery aspects of the story go, I don't know that the author really gave us enough clues to solve it -- in fact, to me there were huge chunks missing as far as the "who-dun-it" part, so that the solution was a complete surprise. But the way the story was told was so captivating that I really didn't care -- I was just satisfied with the ending and glad I had read the book.
As far as the mystery aspects of the story go, I don't know that the author really gave us enough clues to solve it -- in fact, to me there were huge chunks missing as far as the "who-dun-it" part, so that the solution was a complete surprise. But the way the story was told was so captivating that I really didn't care -- I was just satisfied with the ending and glad I had read the book.
I am adding this book as "seed stock" to a new VBB organized by bookstogive focusing on mysteries which take place outside U.S./Canada.
Journal Entry 4 by 6of8 at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Maryland USA on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (7/23/2011 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Maryland USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Popped this one in the mail to Oliviapoolside in Seattle as one of her selections from the International Mystery VBB. Maybe it can make a side trip to Uwajimaya to see the great Asian food and all those dragons running loose in the International District. Enjoy!
LOL, I'll try to remember to bring it with me when I go to Uwajimaya next! I could take a picture of it next to their amazing sea food counter or next to some of the more exotic vegetables and put it with the book. It could have not only JE's but a pictorial record.
Thanks for sending it to me!
Thanks for sending it to me!
Well I haven't been to Uwajimaya but I did read this book.
I enjoyed it a lot, a mix of the practical and the magical/spiritual. I have never read a book about Laos before and I found it fascinating. The country wears the drab practicalities and repression of Communism, but underneath this it is full of the history, religion and superstitions of the peoples who populate the country known as Laos. So we have ghosts, idols and brilliant human adaption to difficult situations. We have a communist state in all of its ideology and massive unworkability. There is a great sense of humor throughout this book and an uplifting will to live. The characters are absolutely charming and win a reader over. A very good mystery and I would like to read more.
I enjoyed it a lot, a mix of the practical and the magical/spiritual. I have never read a book about Laos before and I found it fascinating. The country wears the drab practicalities and repression of Communism, but underneath this it is full of the history, religion and superstitions of the peoples who populate the country known as Laos. So we have ghosts, idols and brilliant human adaption to difficult situations. We have a communist state in all of its ideology and massive unworkability. There is a great sense of humor throughout this book and an uplifting will to live. The characters are absolutely charming and win a reader over. A very good mystery and I would like to read more.
Requested from the Mystery/Thriller VBB and has been mailed. I hope you like it, I did.
Arrived a few days ago. Recently got another one by this author so I'm exited to read it. Thanks for sending!