Anna and the King of Siam - Softcover

Landon, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060954884 ISBN 13: 9780060954888

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2020

Synopsis

Anna Leonowens, a proper Englishwoman, was an unlikley candidate to change the course of Siamese (Thai) history. A young widow and mother, her services were engaged in the 1860's by King Mongkut of Siam to help him communicate with foreign governments and be the tutor to his children and favored concubines. Stepping off the steamer from London, Anna found herself in an exotic land she could have only dreamed of lush landscape of mystic faiths and curious people, and king's palace bustling with royal pageantry, ancient custom, and harems. One of her pupils, the young prince Chulalongkorn, was particularly influenced by Leonowens and her Western ideals. He learned about Abraham Lincoln and the tenets of democracy from her, and years later he would become Siam's most progressive king. He guided the country's transformation from a feudal state to a modern society, abolshing slavery and making many other radical reforms. Weaving meticulously researched facts with beautifully imagined scenes, Margret Landon recreates an unforgettable portrait of life in a forgotten extotic land. Written more than fifty years ago, and translated into dozens of languages, Anna and the King of Siam (the inspiration for the magical play and film The King and I)continues to delight and enchant readers around the world.

About this title

Review:

"An enchanting book. The author wears her scholarship with grace, and the amazing story she has to tell is recounted with humor and understanding. And what a story it is!" -- "Atlantic Monthly"An invitig escape into an unfamiliar, exotic past. Ms. Landon's is one calculated to transport us instantly."-- "New York Times

From the Back Cover:

The timeless tale that inspired 'The King and I' and the major motion picture 'Anna and the King'

Margaret Landon lived as a missionary in Siam (now Thailand) where she became fascinated with the story of Anna Leonowens, the Englishwoman who was hired as a governess by King Mongkut of Siam in the 1860s. Engaged to teach his many children and favourite concubines, Anna also helped the King write his extraordinary letters to foreign rulers and diplomats. She was instrumental in the education of the young prince who eventually became Thailand's most progressive King, and , inspired by Anna's anti-slavery teachings, abolished slavery and instituted many radical reforms in a country that was slowly dragging itself into the twentieth century.

Mixing fact with fiction, Margaret Landon tells a dazzling tale of comedy and tragedy, intrigue and mysticism, cruelty and gentle wisdom and, of course, a forbidden love between two extraordinarily different people. This classic, bestselling story that has been translated into dozens of languages continues to enchant and delight audiences around the world.

“A biography of unusual charm, an inviting escape into an unfamiliar, exotic past. Margaret Landon's style is one calculated to transport us instantly.”
NEW YORK TIMES

“This is an enchanting book... the amazing story [Margaret Landon] has to tell is recounted with humour and understanding. And what a story it is!”
ATLANTIC MONTHLY

“A remarkable book”
NEW REPUBLIC

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2020
• ISBN 10: 0060954884
• ISBN 13: 9780060954888
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 418