Read through these pages and visit a lush land, an ancient and modern culture, and a people who are proud to be Buddhist and Thai.
Here discover yourself as you discover a woman who allows the Thai people to open her up. And as she begins to relax and unwind, read about how downright cynical and fearful she'd become -- down into her cells, as influenced by her native Western culture.
Not only does this book introduce you to the joys of Thailand, but it also explores, in a personal way, how culture strongly shapes who we think we are, what values we think we believe in, our tensions and behavior, how we meet life.
In the process of telling its tale, you will read about Thailand's rice culture, Buddhism, the Thai language, bits about her history and food, and you'll visit Bangkok, as well as small town village life.
Come on this journey.
In this new book of hers, the author once again softly and gently and deftly leads us to places we've never been, asking questions we've rarely if ever asked.
Kalama Hochreiter 5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of transformation
June 24, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
What a beautiful tale of transformation and love growing into self love and compassion. Diane's artful sharing of her spiritual growth journey, which is as much a journey inward as of one to Thailand, brings the reader along with her into these waters. Although easy enough to sit and read, I found myself both wanting to race through the book to the end, and yet savor it slowly, allowing the pearls of shared wisdom to filter through to my heart and soul before I went to the next chapter. This is definitely a book I will read again, just for the gifts within.
from Official Review:Dear Thailand: A Love Story [ official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dear Thailand: A Love Story" by Dianede Simone.]
Dear Thailand: A Love Story is the story of author Diane deSimone's transformative journey in Thailand,and, true to its name, what appears is the author's love for a culture and apeople. She explores cultural identities, questions fundamental ideas of herWestern upbringing, and navigates leaving certain Western beliefs behind.
What is most striking about Dear Thailand is thewriting itself. Crafted in an initially somewhat jarring style, the authordescribes her adoptive home in a way that is almost poetic. Read in a receptive state of mind, the passages seem almost to sing.Secondhand, but with little value lost along the way, you experience theculture, religion, and way of life in a small and tight-knit Thai village. It'srefreshing and beautiful, and it left me wanting to jump on a plane and see it- experience it - for myself.
I would recommend this book toanyone in need of a spiritual vacation. This story of a visit, an escape, and ultimatelya homecoming asks the reader only to listen as it tells of peace, stillness,and a light, kind heart. I give this book 4stars out of 4.
