Behind the Painting: And Other Stories

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Summary: Love story illuminating class differences in Thailand
Review: Behind the Painting remains one of Thailand's most cherished novels. On the surface it chronicles the romance and eventual heartbreak between a married woman visiting Japan and her young guide, an overseas Thai student. Beyond that however, it is also a portrait of the end of the Thai aristocracy at the heels of the new bourgouis class. Kiralee, the young wife of a retired aristocrat, accompanies her husband on a trip to Japan. There, they are met by an overseas Thai student who has been assigned as their guide throughout their visit. Love soon begins to blossom between the two, only to be stunted by the woman's return to Thailand. Heartbroken, the young student buries himself in his career only to discover that upon his own return to Thailand several years later, he has forgotten the woman he once loved. She, however, has never forgoteen him.