What do you think?
Rate this book
Personiskā dejotāja
Pīts no Londonas ierodas Taizemē, lai rakstītu ceļvedi pa šo eksotisko Āzijas valsti. Visai drīz kādā Bangkokas go-go bārā viņš satiek savu mūža mīlu: jaunu un skaistu bāra dejotāju. Pīts ir pārliecināts, ka šis gadījums ir īpašs, tam nav nekāda sakara ar sekstūrismu, Taizemes seksa biznesu vai līdzīgām lietām, taču viņa vēlme piemērot savu vērtību skalu notikumiem, kurus viņš neizprot, noved pie traģiskām sekām.
«Ir uzjautrinoši vērot nepieredzējušo sejas, kad viņi pirmo reizi ieiet go-go bārā. Viņiem atkaras žoklis un ieplešas acis, tad viņi mēģina izturēties pavisam nevērīgi, it kā pasaulē nebūtu nekā dabiskāka par stāšanos pretī dučiem kailu meiteņu. Pīts nebija izņēmums. Viņš sēdēja, dzerdams džinu ar toniku, un šaudīja skatienu, cenzdamies ieraudzīt visus sīkumus.»
«Ir uzjautrinoši vērot nepieredzējušo sejas, kad viņi pirmo reizi ieiet go-go bārā. Viņiem atkaras žoklis un ieplešas acis, tad viņi mēģina izturēties pavisam nevērīgi, it kā pasaulē nebūtu nekā dabiskāka par stāšanos pretī dučiem kailu meiteņu. Pīts nebija izņēmums. Viņš sēdēja, dzerdams džinu ar toniku, un šaudīja skatienu, cenzdamies ieraudzīt visus sīkumus.»
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
154 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
238 books1,524 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
December 17, 2016
This is a stand-alone novel by the talented Stephen Leather based in Bangkok, Thailand. This book is quite different from the twenty or so other novels that I have read by this author and is not so much about crime as the strange love story between Pete a British journalist and Joy a Pole Dancer. Pete moves to Thailand from London as part of his work. He becomes involved with a dancer and prostitute named Joy and becomes infatuated by her believing that he has found love. He gives her money and helps her survive but she in turn uses him. She is already with Thai man and uses the money she receives to keep him happy.
The novel is told by each character along the way and it is intriguing to see how each person feels and thinks about what is going on at that time. This is particularly prevalent to the different cultures and their priorities. A good solid read and I felt that a little stronger finish to the novel would have made a big difference to my personal opinion.
The novel is told by each character along the way and it is intriguing to see how each person feels and thinks about what is going on at that time. This is particularly prevalent to the different cultures and their priorities. A good solid read and I felt that a little stronger finish to the novel would have made a big difference to my personal opinion.
June 9, 2022
Set in Thailand, this is a really thought provoking look at the sex industry in Bangkok.
This reads like a news story, it's fiction but has a feel of non fiction about it. It was no surprise to me that the author has written for the Daily Mail as this is sensational tabloid fodder and its extremely easy to binge your way through.
This is the story of Pete and Joy. Pete is a British expat living his best life in Bangkok while writing up a travel book. Joy is a dancer in a local bar reliant on sex tourism to support her family.
The cover tells you that this should be mandatory reading for first timers to Thailand which I don't agree with. While I found this an entertaining read, I think this is a old white man's tale of being upset that a 21 year old Thai girl didn't fall in love with him.
I did appreciate that some complexities of these stories were explored. It's never a level playing field between these well paid old westerners and young Thai girls. These men would never pay for a 20 year old in their home countries to have sex with them yet in Thailand (any many other countries) that's what they go for and then get upset when the act is regarded as a financial transaction rather than an act of love.
This is a really complicated subject and I think this book goes someway to starting a conversation about some of those complications.
Four stars. Entertaining popcorn binge reading which does raise some interesting points.
At the time of posting this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
This reads like a news story, it's fiction but has a feel of non fiction about it. It was no surprise to me that the author has written for the Daily Mail as this is sensational tabloid fodder and its extremely easy to binge your way through.
This is the story of Pete and Joy. Pete is a British expat living his best life in Bangkok while writing up a travel book. Joy is a dancer in a local bar reliant on sex tourism to support her family.
The cover tells you that this should be mandatory reading for first timers to Thailand which I don't agree with. While I found this an entertaining read, I think this is a old white man's tale of being upset that a 21 year old Thai girl didn't fall in love with him.
I did appreciate that some complexities of these stories were explored. It's never a level playing field between these well paid old westerners and young Thai girls. These men would never pay for a 20 year old in their home countries to have sex with them yet in Thailand (any many other countries) that's what they go for and then get upset when the act is regarded as a financial transaction rather than an act of love.
This is a really complicated subject and I think this book goes someway to starting a conversation about some of those complications.
Four stars. Entertaining popcorn binge reading which does raise some interesting points.
At the time of posting this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
January 10, 2011
If you have ever visited Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai or any other tourist places in Thailand, the most common sight you’d see is an old white man with a very young Thai girl. You’d wonder what’s up with that before you realize that they are actually bar girls or prostitutes and the white men are mostly sex tourists. When I searched for books based in Thailand on the internet, Private Dancer came up many times. I was thrilled when I found out that this book was available as free download on the authors site. A printed version of the book is now available but the author has not taken down the link for this one.
Anyway, I started this book when we went on a vacation to Pattaya, Thailand for the new year. What a great insight it was into the world of this so-called couples I saw around. The entire tourist area in Pattaya is filled with bars and sleaze that is usually associated with it. There are similar areas in Bangkok that are famous, viz. Nana Plaza, Patpong and a couple of others. Private Dancer is set in and around these areas.
Pete moves to Thailand from London for work. He gets involved with a bar girl and prostitute Joy and is naive enough to think it’s love. He does everything for her and she in turn is using him, as bar girls do, to get money out of him. She also has a Thai boyfriend who Pete doesn’t know about. This book provides a lot of insight into these white men/bar girl relationships. In a way, it’s the kind of book a man should read before coming to Thailand and getting involved with these bar girls.
The writer has a very interesting way of telling a story. We get to know about story and the various characters from the characters themselves. So there are a lot of viewpoints in this-Joy, her sister, Pete’s friends but most of all Pete. It’s refreshing and although there isn’t much difference in the tone of the voices, there is a difference in their situations. Since this book is written mostly from the prospective of guys, most of whom are in Thailand for the sleaze, you get a different perspective of bar girls than you would from other people, or woman for that matter.
Obviously, the bars and the night life is not what Thailand is all about but it can’t be denied that it is a very small yet prominent part of it. Read it for getting to know a world you’ll probably never get to know up-close or simply for entertainment.
Anyway, I started this book when we went on a vacation to Pattaya, Thailand for the new year. What a great insight it was into the world of this so-called couples I saw around. The entire tourist area in Pattaya is filled with bars and sleaze that is usually associated with it. There are similar areas in Bangkok that are famous, viz. Nana Plaza, Patpong and a couple of others. Private Dancer is set in and around these areas.
Pete moves to Thailand from London for work. He gets involved with a bar girl and prostitute Joy and is naive enough to think it’s love. He does everything for her and she in turn is using him, as bar girls do, to get money out of him. She also has a Thai boyfriend who Pete doesn’t know about. This book provides a lot of insight into these white men/bar girl relationships. In a way, it’s the kind of book a man should read before coming to Thailand and getting involved with these bar girls.
The writer has a very interesting way of telling a story. We get to know about story and the various characters from the characters themselves. So there are a lot of viewpoints in this-Joy, her sister, Pete’s friends but most of all Pete. It’s refreshing and although there isn’t much difference in the tone of the voices, there is a difference in their situations. Since this book is written mostly from the prospective of guys, most of whom are in Thailand for the sleaze, you get a different perspective of bar girls than you would from other people, or woman for that matter.
Obviously, the bars and the night life is not what Thailand is all about but it can’t be denied that it is a very small yet prominent part of it. Read it for getting to know a world you’ll probably never get to know up-close or simply for entertainment.
November 25, 2011
This is a very satisfying book and well worth the $5+ I spent for it. The author warned me it was more of a lad's book but since I am not much of a "lady", I read it anyway.
Get ready to step into an alternate universe where anyone can be bought for the price of a cinema ticket, beautiful Asian ladies and lady-boys (aka katoeys) abound and everyone is playing a game on the board known as Life.
Pete falls for drop-dead beautiful Joy but she isn't what she seems. Like that is a surprise. Homegirl plays her farang like a violin all the way up until the end but these leads to murderous consequences no one could have foreseen coming.
This is a great book, not only because there is an obvious amount of research Mr. Leather invested but it is amazing from an anthropological and cultural stand point. Well done, Mr. Leather; I look forward to diving in many more of your gorgeous novels. Us Yanks don't know what we have been missing from not discovering this awesome British writer. Love it!
Author of
Death Wish: Book I (The Vamp Saga)
The Beautiful People series
Get ready to step into an alternate universe where anyone can be bought for the price of a cinema ticket, beautiful Asian ladies and lady-boys (aka katoeys) abound and everyone is playing a game on the board known as Life.
Pete falls for drop-dead beautiful Joy but she isn't what she seems. Like that is a surprise. Homegirl plays her farang like a violin all the way up until the end but these leads to murderous consequences no one could have foreseen coming.
This is a great book, not only because there is an obvious amount of research Mr. Leather invested but it is amazing from an anthropological and cultural stand point. Well done, Mr. Leather; I look forward to diving in many more of your gorgeous novels. Us Yanks don't know what we have been missing from not discovering this awesome British writer. Love it!
Author of
Death Wish: Book I (The Vamp Saga)
The Beautiful People series
October 14, 2007
A chilling story which resemble more of a reportage about the dark world of Bangkok's gogo girls.
Private Dancer tells a story of a western journalist who is stationed in Bangkok and falls hard for a gogo girl from the notorious Nana Plaza - the largest legally endorsed prostitution area in Bangkok.
The story tells how "sex and fidelity" are viewed from 2 perspectives: the western's notions that sex is the ultimate symbol of love where fidelity is absolute, and from the lower social status Thai people who see it as merely ways to improve their poverty stricten condition.
It's appalling that there are many western men who become naively retarded after they falling under the power of the Orient (the girls) and seem to completely lose all sense and logic. Are we really that good? Or are they such losers in their own countries they are intoxicated with the attention the power of their dollars (and sadly not their personality) can summon in less developing dollar hungry Asian countries.
Private Dancer tells a story of a western journalist who is stationed in Bangkok and falls hard for a gogo girl from the notorious Nana Plaza - the largest legally endorsed prostitution area in Bangkok.
The story tells how "sex and fidelity" are viewed from 2 perspectives: the western's notions that sex is the ultimate symbol of love where fidelity is absolute, and from the lower social status Thai people who see it as merely ways to improve their poverty stricten condition.
It's appalling that there are many western men who become naively retarded after they falling under the power of the Orient (the girls) and seem to completely lose all sense and logic. Are we really that good? Or are they such losers in their own countries they are intoxicated with the attention the power of their dollars (and sadly not their personality) can summon in less developing dollar hungry Asian countries.
June 9, 2011
I bought this book from the duty free as I was leaving Thailand - it was my first visit and it was such a wonderful country - BUT, your eyes need to get accustomed to seeing things you're not used to back home, sometimes your mind rejects it. A "what happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand" kind of thing. I met alot of locals through our many night outings..
Reading this book gave me great closure and understanding to what life is like there and why it is the way it is, specially because it refers to areas and places I've been to. It was easy to imagine.
I love it. I love Thailand.
Reading this book gave me great closure and understanding to what life is like there and why it is the way it is, specially because it refers to areas and places I've been to. It was easy to imagine.
I love it. I love Thailand.
April 13, 2009
Sawadeekap!
I think this book gives a really good view on Thai bar girls and farangs comming to Thailand to score a Thai girl. What i loved the most about the book is that you really get a good view from both sides of the culture and thoughts.
A must read for anybody who wants to visit Thailand.
And a must read for everybody who has visited Thailand.
I think this book gives a really good view on Thai bar girls and farangs comming to Thailand to score a Thai girl. What i loved the most about the book is that you really get a good view from both sides of the culture and thoughts.
A must read for anybody who wants to visit Thailand.
And a must read for everybody who has visited Thailand.
September 2, 2014
After travelling Thailand, returning back to Blighty and missing Bangkok's musk and mystique, I was handed a copy of Stephen Leather’s ‘Private Dancer.’ This was one of the first Thai-based books I ever read and in my opinion, still the best. It inspired me to write my own book and I did. It’s out on Amazon as you read this!
Written by a successful crime writer, Leather has obviously experienced the seedier side of Thailand for himself or at least, has a very good source.
Action from the get-go, this book hooks you from the first line. I’d heard some sob stories from farangs I‘d met and Leather’s take on what can and still does happen in ‘The Land of Smiles,’ rings very true; perhaps it even serves to educate those horny guys that come to Thailand and leave there brain at the airport!
‘Private Dancer’ captures an unfortunate tale of a travel-writer who falls in love with a beautiful working girl. He sees her dancing in a hostess bar, is instantly drawn to her and later pays her bar-fine and takes her home.
Told perfectly through the eyes of the girls and the guys as they speak in their own voice, their distinct viewpoint gives a believable interpretation of the events as they unfold. Each of their voices adds another layer to a story which, in the end, is that of two young people caught in a conflict of cultures that they really don't understand. A roller-coaster ride leaves you with an ultimate twist at the end and a desire to find the next Stephen Leather tale of Thailand.
Extremely fast paced, ‘PD’ is gripping, funny, sad and un-put-down-able. Each page leaves you wanting more.
Written by a successful crime writer, Leather has obviously experienced the seedier side of Thailand for himself or at least, has a very good source.
Action from the get-go, this book hooks you from the first line. I’d heard some sob stories from farangs I‘d met and Leather’s take on what can and still does happen in ‘The Land of Smiles,’ rings very true; perhaps it even serves to educate those horny guys that come to Thailand and leave there brain at the airport!
‘Private Dancer’ captures an unfortunate tale of a travel-writer who falls in love with a beautiful working girl. He sees her dancing in a hostess bar, is instantly drawn to her and later pays her bar-fine and takes her home.
Told perfectly through the eyes of the girls and the guys as they speak in their own voice, their distinct viewpoint gives a believable interpretation of the events as they unfold. Each of their voices adds another layer to a story which, in the end, is that of two young people caught in a conflict of cultures that they really don't understand. A roller-coaster ride leaves you with an ultimate twist at the end and a desire to find the next Stephen Leather tale of Thailand.
Extremely fast paced, ‘PD’ is gripping, funny, sad and un-put-down-able. Each page leaves you wanting more.
December 4, 2011
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of going to Thailand for the sole purpose of picking up a bargirl for sex or even thinking of marrying one.
All's not what it seems for the unfortunate protaganist Pete who falls in love with the beautiful pole dancer Joy against the advice of his so-called drinking buddy's at Fatso's bar. Drink, drugs, sex, violence and deception all abound in this intriguing thriller which shows the darker side of Bangkok's notorious red light districts, notably the Nana Plaza complex.
I like the way Mr. Leather has divided the book up, not in chapters but sections for each character in the story, so we get to know in detail every character and what they are thinking. The author seems to have a lot of knowledge about the nightlife in Bangkok, I know this because I used to live in Thailand many years ago! Some parts of the story may be exaggerated a little to make it more exciting, but a lot of what goes on in the book is true. (many bargirls really do have Thai husbands...beware!) Stephen Leather has nailed it with this book and the detail is spot on!
By the way Nana Plaza didn't exist when I lived there in the 70s. Patpong had no street market and the bars had only a few tourists and American Servicemen, so we had the run of the place! Soi Cowboy was a pleasant little tree lined Soi behind Sukumvit with only a couple of bars, you could even take your wife in for a quiet drink if you wanted to!
...and as for the Grace Hotel coffeeshop, well, you could write a book about that place!
All's not what it seems for the unfortunate protaganist Pete who falls in love with the beautiful pole dancer Joy against the advice of his so-called drinking buddy's at Fatso's bar. Drink, drugs, sex, violence and deception all abound in this intriguing thriller which shows the darker side of Bangkok's notorious red light districts, notably the Nana Plaza complex.
I like the way Mr. Leather has divided the book up, not in chapters but sections for each character in the story, so we get to know in detail every character and what they are thinking. The author seems to have a lot of knowledge about the nightlife in Bangkok, I know this because I used to live in Thailand many years ago! Some parts of the story may be exaggerated a little to make it more exciting, but a lot of what goes on in the book is true. (many bargirls really do have Thai husbands...beware!) Stephen Leather has nailed it with this book and the detail is spot on!
By the way Nana Plaza didn't exist when I lived there in the 70s. Patpong had no street market and the bars had only a few tourists and American Servicemen, so we had the run of the place! Soi Cowboy was a pleasant little tree lined Soi behind Sukumvit with only a couple of bars, you could even take your wife in for a quiet drink if you wanted to!
...and as for the Grace Hotel coffeeshop, well, you could write a book about that place!
December 8, 2012
it was once suggested that single men should be issued with a free copy on arrival at Bangkok Airport. It’s a “how not to” guide for sex tourists but its also a good story with some interesting twists. “Everyone” who likes books and has a passing interest in the Thai bar scene has read Private Dancer and will probably have a strong view on its merits. The harshest critics are those who have steeped themselves in the ex-pat lifestyle and feel the story is too simplistic. I really enjoyed it and particularly liked the technique by which each key scene is described from the perspective of different characters. It’s an ingenious way of demonstrating the cultural gulf between the various players. The same circumstances can be interpreted in totally different ways depending on whether they are being viewed by a Thai or a westerner.
August 2, 2011
It's a best book of a Farang with a beautiful Thai bar girl who's more than what she seems !Some interesting facts about Thai culture in between the lines....a quick read with a few surprising plot twists.
August 3, 2011
Couldn't put the book down once I've started. Was even late for work a couple of times cos I was reading it in bed and forgot about the time.
April 1, 2018
When you are jet lagged and can't sleep after a trip to south east Asia, I highly recommend reading Private Dancer. 🇹🇭
April 21, 2012
i loved it.
visited thailand only once ,but i could totally understand and relate to the plot.
i have seen how easy it was to "fall" for those girls..
since i was a bit interested in knowing more ,i joined some of the forums and i did learn a lot..
i guess this is all part of the "magic" there.
one could experience things he would have never do in thaT COUNTRY AND FOR THIS KIND OF "PARADISE" THERE IS ALWAYS A PRIES!!
i do recommend it to every guy ,no matter the age,who plans on a visit there..
some parts may have been a bit exagerated ,however,if one visits it is always a good guideliner.
visited thailand only once ,but i could totally understand and relate to the plot.
i have seen how easy it was to "fall" for those girls..
since i was a bit interested in knowing more ,i joined some of the forums and i did learn a lot..
i guess this is all part of the "magic" there.
one could experience things he would have never do in thaT COUNTRY AND FOR THIS KIND OF "PARADISE" THERE IS ALWAYS A PRIES!!
i do recommend it to every guy ,no matter the age,who plans on a visit there..
some parts may have been a bit exagerated ,however,if one visits it is always a good guideliner.
April 25, 2012
LOVED IT! Wonderful, even-handed view of the Thai sex industry, told from the perspectives of several different western customers, a Thai bar girl and a Thai detective. What's particularly great about it, aside from the fact it's extremely entertaining and easy to read, is that by giving such a wide range of perspectives, I felt that a really fair picture of bar girls was painted. They're not just money grabbing horrible people, and nor are western customers 'innocent' victims. There are many shades of grey. Anyway, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone visiting Thailand.
December 31, 2016
The main character is so annoying and pathetic. 5 start for the commentary by Big Ron and the Private detective.
Metaphors generally excite me. The most brilliant metaphors I found here
1. Big Ron talks about the way Pete thinks he won the game like a fish got caught that thinks "look at the boat I've caught", "look at me, taking over the boat".
2. "That girls regard farangs as ATM machines. They press the right buttons and money comes out. And if one ATM machine is shut down, they can easily find another one. "
Metaphors generally excite me. The most brilliant metaphors I found here
1. Big Ron talks about the way Pete thinks he won the game like a fish got caught that thinks "look at the boat I've caught", "look at me, taking over the boat".
2. "That girls regard farangs as ATM machines. They press the right buttons and money comes out. And if one ATM machine is shut down, they can easily find another one. "
January 11, 2010
This book would be recommended for audiences who find an interested in cultural differences. I found it very informative about Thailand and how things are viewed differently there. The way that it was written was from a first person point of view which helps you build a relationship with all of the characters. I discovered a whole new perspective about life among the Thai's as well as what goes on in the world of a go-go dancer.
April 9, 2012
Man, this is a great book and a must read for anyone coming to southeast asia. I live in the Philippines, not Thailand, the setting of this story, but things seem to work out exactly the same way here as they do in this story. I am very fortunate that I've got an honest gal and a wonderful son with her for the past two years now, but man, did I have to go through the lying, scamming, cheating maggots to get to her. Attention all men coming to S.E. Asia: Read this book first!!!!!!!!!!
September 17, 2017
My emotions hit the sky after I had finished the book. I love the story and I was so impressed that the writer was able to talk about the dark side in Bangkok. From the story, I have fully understood the Western thinking as well as that of the Thai girl; there is a huge culture gap btw 2 countries
August 20, 2014
very open and easy to believe review of life in Thailand.
June 14, 2010
Wow, what an eye-opener. Great read
February 3, 2013
If you're going to Thailand for work or play for any period of time, this is the book to read. Otherwise you can skip it!
August 22, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! Going in, I was a bit worried. Most of the reviews on Amazon seemed to come from real-life sex-tourists saying "Read this as a guide," or something along those lines. Yuck! But this book IS on all the must-read lists for going to Thailand, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did.
The whole book is written from different POVs. Mostly, a bunch of ex-pats who hang out in the red-light districts of Bangkok, Joy (the prostitute the main character Pete is in love with), and one or two pages here and there from a person outside this world. As a story, this was just fun reading. I laughed all the time reading about Pete loving Joy and believing her lies, and then reading Joy's point of view.
What really took me by surprise reading this was how much it reminded me of some of the ex-pats I know here in Germany, and the insights I gained into their lives. Which is weird since NONE of these people are involved with prostitution or anything shady.
The ex-pats in this book only ever interact with a very narrow subset of society, and base all their generalizations about Thai people and Thailand off of these interactions. Other than this narrow slice of Thailand, they only ever hang out with other ex-pats who reinforce and validate the conclusions they draw from these experiences. Living abroad in both Japan and Germany I have observed this phenomena so many times, but had never been able to tangibly define it until reading this book. The author is genius showing this. The only hint that you ever get that there's a wider world is from a private investigator who only shows up about once or twice the entire novel for about 2 pages each time.
This book is also surprisingly clean. Yes, there is lots of sex, but it's very rarely described in detail. When it is, it's never described in a way to arouse the reader, but more as a factual description that builds the story in some way.
Highly recommend to all readers!
The whole book is written from different POVs. Mostly, a bunch of ex-pats who hang out in the red-light districts of Bangkok, Joy (the prostitute the main character Pete is in love with), and one or two pages here and there from a person outside this world. As a story, this was just fun reading. I laughed all the time reading about Pete loving Joy and believing her lies, and then reading Joy's point of view.
What really took me by surprise reading this was how much it reminded me of some of the ex-pats I know here in Germany, and the insights I gained into their lives. Which is weird since NONE of these people are involved with prostitution or anything shady.
The ex-pats in this book only ever interact with a very narrow subset of society, and base all their generalizations about Thai people and Thailand off of these interactions. Other than this narrow slice of Thailand, they only ever hang out with other ex-pats who reinforce and validate the conclusions they draw from these experiences. Living abroad in both Japan and Germany I have observed this phenomena so many times, but had never been able to tangibly define it until reading this book. The author is genius showing this. The only hint that you ever get that there's a wider world is from a private investigator who only shows up about once or twice the entire novel for about 2 pages each time.
This book is also surprisingly clean. Yes, there is lots of sex, but it's very rarely described in detail. When it is, it's never described in a way to arouse the reader, but more as a factual description that builds the story in some way.
Highly recommend to all readers!
March 9, 2020
Ma lugesin küll uut trükk, mis see aasta ilmus aga sisu poolest tõenäoliselt samad. Mulle meeldis, ma eriti Taimaast ja selle tavadest muud ei teadnud, kui et Euroopa meestele meeldib sinna seksiturismile sõita ja päikest lisaks nautida. No Minu Tai on muidugi loetud aga see räägib hoopis muust sest peategelane on lastega inimene, ilmselgelt prostitutsioon teda ei puuduta :)
Aga oi kui huvitav on see tai hoorade maailm, nende naiste elu on meeste poolt nii ette ära määratud, et sa mingi hetk ei teagi enam, kas tunda kaasa või võtta seda kõike ilma suurema kärata. Lapsena hakkab neid isa ja vennad vägistama, nii valmistavad nad tüdrukud ette hooramiseks, 16a on nad nii harjunud,et keegi nende seljas nühib ja kui veel selle eest makstakse, siis pole ju probleemi (palgad väiksed ja hoorad teenivad rohkem kui teised).
Aga euroopa mehed ajasid mind küll hullult närvi, osad saavad kenasti aru, et kepp ja raha ja see ongi täpselt see, mida neil oodata on. Kuid siis mingid soodad, kes omast arust tulevad päästma seda tai neiut ja saavad kurjaks kui tai tüdruk ei mõista tema euroopa terminit armastusest ning rikuvad veel tüdrukute elud oma tujudega. Lühidalt kui loll üks valge mees olla saab, muudkui läbi ajaloo vallutab maid, alustab sõdu ja kujutab oma naiivsuses ette, et üks tai plika peaks teda armastama. Meestele küll kohustuslik lugemine, enne kui naiivselt seksiturismi sukelduvad.
Aga oi kui huvitav on see tai hoorade maailm, nende naiste elu on meeste poolt nii ette ära määratud, et sa mingi hetk ei teagi enam, kas tunda kaasa või võtta seda kõike ilma suurema kärata. Lapsena hakkab neid isa ja vennad vägistama, nii valmistavad nad tüdrukud ette hooramiseks, 16a on nad nii harjunud,et keegi nende seljas nühib ja kui veel selle eest makstakse, siis pole ju probleemi (palgad väiksed ja hoorad teenivad rohkem kui teised).
Aga euroopa mehed ajasid mind küll hullult närvi, osad saavad kenasti aru, et kepp ja raha ja see ongi täpselt see, mida neil oodata on. Kuid siis mingid soodad, kes omast arust tulevad päästma seda tai neiut ja saavad kurjaks kui tai tüdruk ei mõista tema euroopa terminit armastusest ning rikuvad veel tüdrukute elud oma tujudega. Lühidalt kui loll üks valge mees olla saab, muudkui läbi ajaloo vallutab maid, alustab sõdu ja kujutab oma naiivsuses ette, et üks tai plika peaks teda armastama. Meestele küll kohustuslik lugemine, enne kui naiivselt seksiturismi sukelduvad.
October 21, 2019
I tore through this book in about 2-3 sessions in my apartment outside of Bangkok.
Set in the late 1990s, Stephen Leather tells a fictionalized story about a British author (Pete) sent to Bangkok on a writing assignment who falls in love with a "bargirl", a professional dancer/ prostitute (Joy).
What follows is a series of narratives from Pete, his friends, Joy, and her friends, about the relationship between Pete and Joy. Their relationship is a mess, and that is the author's point. Situations like this play out all the time in Thailand and pretty much always end in total disaster. Everyone thinks their situation is special and that their love is real. The author explains over and over again that in these situations people continuously rationalize any red-flags until its too late.
The story is informative, depressing, extremely vulgar, entertaining, and aggravating.
Would definitely recommend, just expect extremely vulgar and sexual content.
Set in the late 1990s, Stephen Leather tells a fictionalized story about a British author (Pete) sent to Bangkok on a writing assignment who falls in love with a "bargirl", a professional dancer/ prostitute (Joy).
What follows is a series of narratives from Pete, his friends, Joy, and her friends, about the relationship between Pete and Joy. Their relationship is a mess, and that is the author's point. Situations like this play out all the time in Thailand and pretty much always end in total disaster. Everyone thinks their situation is special and that their love is real. The author explains over and over again that in these situations people continuously rationalize any red-flags until its too late.
The story is informative, depressing, extremely vulgar, entertaining, and aggravating.
Would definitely recommend, just expect extremely vulgar and sexual content.
December 29, 2022
A book about horrible people, all of whom deserve each other. The sex tourists are ostensibly the protagonists and written sympathetically, so you forget that what they're doing is sleazy and exploitative. Joy is also a protagonist, but entirely soulless, though there are valid and Freudian excuses prevented for that soullessness, and though your delicate Western sensibilities may initially be mortified by her flagrant money-grubbing manipulation, you warm to her as the book goes on.
Yes, she lies to his face constantly. Yes, she pawns all these thoughtful gifts immediately. Yes, she gives a sob story about her family's crushing poverty, which is basically true, then spends the irrational amount of money he gives her on liquor, drugs, and her abusive DJ boyfriend, whom she swears on a stack of Bibles does not exist. "I love you no shit only one!" But it's the frog and the scorpion.
She's not doing it on purpose. Well, yes, she is doing it on purpose, but not to be malevolent. It's just her nature. She really does love Pete. But the way love works for her is she can lead this double life, and mean it authentically when she says he's the only one and her everything, that she wants to quit dancing and settle down with him, then as soon as she punches out she goes back to her actual Thai boyfriend who cheats on her and beats the hell out of her. She takes amphetamines and goes back to work (despite not needing the money) and bangs out a few more farang. In the Whitmanian sense, she is big, and contains multitudes. She knows she's running a hustle, but she has fully incorporated that hustle into the truth of her being. She does love Pete.
And Pete, this pathetic sap, in his blindness and insecurity, he can't accept his limping half-relationship with a sex worker for what it is. He keeps upping the ante, demanding more and more evidence of what everyone but him can already see. Hiring a private eye to spy on her. These adolescent head games, "if you loved me, if it wasn't just about money, you'd get my name tattooed on your body".
If it wasn't just about money, you wouldn't know her, Lancelot. You found her in a brothel, naked but for the boots.
Despite the fact that every character in the book is deplorable, none of them are aware that they're deplorable, and most don't believe that the others are deplorable, which results in an interesting ethical suspended animation that lets you examine the consequences of time-lapse close proximity deplorability.
Easily the best book I read on my trip to Thailand, though the implied advice was not very practical for me, as my trip was built around muay thai and not prostitute colonialism.
Yes, she lies to his face constantly. Yes, she pawns all these thoughtful gifts immediately. Yes, she gives a sob story about her family's crushing poverty, which is basically true, then spends the irrational amount of money he gives her on liquor, drugs, and her abusive DJ boyfriend, whom she swears on a stack of Bibles does not exist. "I love you no shit only one!" But it's the frog and the scorpion.
She's not doing it on purpose. Well, yes, she is doing it on purpose, but not to be malevolent. It's just her nature. She really does love Pete. But the way love works for her is she can lead this double life, and mean it authentically when she says he's the only one and her everything, that she wants to quit dancing and settle down with him, then as soon as she punches out she goes back to her actual Thai boyfriend who cheats on her and beats the hell out of her. She takes amphetamines and goes back to work (despite not needing the money) and bangs out a few more farang. In the Whitmanian sense, she is big, and contains multitudes. She knows she's running a hustle, but she has fully incorporated that hustle into the truth of her being. She does love Pete.
And Pete, this pathetic sap, in his blindness and insecurity, he can't accept his limping half-relationship with a sex worker for what it is. He keeps upping the ante, demanding more and more evidence of what everyone but him can already see. Hiring a private eye to spy on her. These adolescent head games, "if you loved me, if it wasn't just about money, you'd get my name tattooed on your body".
If it wasn't just about money, you wouldn't know her, Lancelot. You found her in a brothel, naked but for the boots.
Despite the fact that every character in the book is deplorable, none of them are aware that they're deplorable, and most don't believe that the others are deplorable, which results in an interesting ethical suspended animation that lets you examine the consequences of time-lapse close proximity deplorability.
Easily the best book I read on my trip to Thailand, though the implied advice was not very practical for me, as my trip was built around muay thai and not prostitute colonialism.
December 27, 2017
Insight into Thailand's red light scene, the harsh social realities behind it and the cultural misunderstandings between the girls and their customers. Interesting to see the very same incident in completely different lights when narrated from different people. The book is a bit of a mix between a novel and a socio-cultural study. Some repetitions, but otherwise a good flow. Unexpected ending, including the epilogue.
March 22, 2020
Tõesti kohustuslik kirjandus kõigile (aga eelkõige meesterahvastele), kes plaanivad tulevikus Taimaale reisida. Eks olin seal toimuvast teadlik, aga ei arvanud, et olukord on tõesti nii hull. Osatakse alles manipuleerida! Pani ikka parajalt silmi pööritama, kui naiivsed võivad inimesed olla. Huvitav lugemine, aga samas uuesti just ei loeks.
March 27, 2025
I read this whilst in Thailand after visiting Pattaya and doing it super interesting. Feels informative even whilst being fiction. It has some vulgar language and of course themes of a sexual nature but it’s skilfully done and always feels purposeful. I was certainly invested in the characters by the end and overall rate this book!
April 18, 2017
THE BOOK IN A NUTSHELL
A love story between an emotionally weak and unstable British journalist – Pete and money focused self-righteous and super-manipulative man-eater - Joy a Pole Dancer.
PLOTLINE
Pete moves to Thailand from London as part of his work.
He becomes involved with a prostitute named Joy
He falls in love
(Yup…falls in love)
And then dedicates his whole life to keeping her happy
She asks money.
He give her money.
She asks more money.
He gives her more money.
She keeps asking money.
He keeps giving her money.
She keeps asking him money.
He assumes he is giving her money to change her life.
She assumes he is doing his job of being ‘a man’ who is rich.
What Pete doesn’t know is that
She is already married to a Thai man
and uses the money she receives from him to keep her husband happy.
The book then takes the reader deeper and deeper into this obsessive love story – where one absolutely idiotic emotional nut-job seeks to win the heart of an ungrateful, manipulative, sinister and cold-hearted woman.
And finally towards the end – the author takes you to a rather anti-climatic finish – where the reader is made to be at peace with himself knowing – there is no ‘happily ever after’….at least in the real world.
THE CONTENT
The novel is divided into small segments – each narrated by its respective character along the way. And it is absolutely intriguing to see how each person feels and thinks about the exact same situation as the story unfolds.
What is amazing is the manner in which the writer has managed to capture the essence of each character. He really hits a homerun in trying to decipher the cultural influence and thinking of each character.
WHAT DID I LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS BOOK?
I loved the manner in which this book, the dialogues and the storyline was written. The manner in which the story unfolded and the view point of each character, Neither one being in the right or wrong – was in itself a thought-provoking treat.
Even though the book is written keeping in mind only those 4 or 5 characters – the book as a whole acts as a manuscript in understanding how different people from different cultures and different environments think and communicate ideas, feelings and thoughts.
LOY MACHEDO’S CONCLUSION
Just as meeting The Axe Murderer was game changer for me,
(understanding the intricacies of protecting one’s self from everything starting with a Knife attack, to understanding how to protect oneself from a group attack)
this book in a strange way does educates you in the same manner – from such unpredictable & dangerous attacks (i.e. emotional traps).
It kind of makes you understand how different people from different cultures think.
Try this….If you have ever visited Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai or any other tourist places in Thailand, the most common sight you’d see is an old white man with a very young Thai girl. You’d wonder what’s up with that before you realize that they are actually bar girls or prostitutes and the white men are mostly sex tourists.
But it is not the perverted old white man hangs out with the Asian young girl that you should look at. Rather how the girl plays her cards right, how she thinks and why she does what she does that is total revelation & education in itself. And this is a reality which – once you expose yourself to – will make you appreciate the sad, bad and ugly realities of life.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not trying to say that the poor white man is a ‘angel’ and the bad bar girl is ‘evil’. Absolutely not. It always takes 2 hands to clap. So if the white man travelled hundreds of thousands of miles just to do everything hidden and in total secrecy – he too has his dirty little secrets and dirty little intentions. So the book - in a way, it’s the kind of book any and every man should read before coming to Thailand and getting involved with these bar girls.
These women by no means should be under-estimated or disrespected. They are in their own right powerful creatures of desire – who main purpose – is to survive this evil world. So in as much as I would like to point fingers – I have to say, I myself personally do not have a stellar record to do so.
THE CONCLUSION
So as a conclusion…..
Thailand’s sex tourism industry is a very small part of the entire culture – however, it is a very powerful and prominent part of the system. That is why understanding this tiny component is very essential for anyone.
Thailand has a lot more to offer and so much more to learn. But this one small aspect is what drives the industry ablaze.
So even if you are a potential or existing sex tourist or you are someone who would never get into this dark world – the experience and the manner in which the author has shared this world – is nothing short of spectacular.
So if I had to summarize my entire book review in one sentence….this is what I would say… Private Dancer by Stephen Leather is…..
A COMPULSORY POWERFUL MUST READ BOOK FOR ANY TOURIST PLANNING TO VISIT THAILAND!
LOYMACHEDO’S OVERALL RATING
9.5 OUT OF 10
***********************
Loy Machedo
www.ThinkPersonalBranding.com | www.whoisloymachedo.com | www.loymachedo.com
A love story between an emotionally weak and unstable British journalist – Pete and money focused self-righteous and super-manipulative man-eater - Joy a Pole Dancer.
PLOTLINE
Pete moves to Thailand from London as part of his work.
He becomes involved with a prostitute named Joy
He falls in love
(Yup…falls in love)
And then dedicates his whole life to keeping her happy
She asks money.
He give her money.
She asks more money.
He gives her more money.
She keeps asking money.
He keeps giving her money.
She keeps asking him money.
He assumes he is giving her money to change her life.
She assumes he is doing his job of being ‘a man’ who is rich.
What Pete doesn’t know is that
She is already married to a Thai man
and uses the money she receives from him to keep her husband happy.
The book then takes the reader deeper and deeper into this obsessive love story – where one absolutely idiotic emotional nut-job seeks to win the heart of an ungrateful, manipulative, sinister and cold-hearted woman.
And finally towards the end – the author takes you to a rather anti-climatic finish – where the reader is made to be at peace with himself knowing – there is no ‘happily ever after’….at least in the real world.
THE CONTENT
The novel is divided into small segments – each narrated by its respective character along the way. And it is absolutely intriguing to see how each person feels and thinks about the exact same situation as the story unfolds.
What is amazing is the manner in which the writer has managed to capture the essence of each character. He really hits a homerun in trying to decipher the cultural influence and thinking of each character.
WHAT DID I LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS BOOK?
I loved the manner in which this book, the dialogues and the storyline was written. The manner in which the story unfolded and the view point of each character, Neither one being in the right or wrong – was in itself a thought-provoking treat.
Even though the book is written keeping in mind only those 4 or 5 characters – the book as a whole acts as a manuscript in understanding how different people from different cultures and different environments think and communicate ideas, feelings and thoughts.
LOY MACHEDO’S CONCLUSION
Just as meeting The Axe Murderer was game changer for me,
(understanding the intricacies of protecting one’s self from everything starting with a Knife attack, to understanding how to protect oneself from a group attack)
this book in a strange way does educates you in the same manner – from such unpredictable & dangerous attacks (i.e. emotional traps).
It kind of makes you understand how different people from different cultures think.
Try this….If you have ever visited Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai or any other tourist places in Thailand, the most common sight you’d see is an old white man with a very young Thai girl. You’d wonder what’s up with that before you realize that they are actually bar girls or prostitutes and the white men are mostly sex tourists.
But it is not the perverted old white man hangs out with the Asian young girl that you should look at. Rather how the girl plays her cards right, how she thinks and why she does what she does that is total revelation & education in itself. And this is a reality which – once you expose yourself to – will make you appreciate the sad, bad and ugly realities of life.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not trying to say that the poor white man is a ‘angel’ and the bad bar girl is ‘evil’. Absolutely not. It always takes 2 hands to clap. So if the white man travelled hundreds of thousands of miles just to do everything hidden and in total secrecy – he too has his dirty little secrets and dirty little intentions. So the book - in a way, it’s the kind of book any and every man should read before coming to Thailand and getting involved with these bar girls.
These women by no means should be under-estimated or disrespected. They are in their own right powerful creatures of desire – who main purpose – is to survive this evil world. So in as much as I would like to point fingers – I have to say, I myself personally do not have a stellar record to do so.
THE CONCLUSION
So as a conclusion…..
Thailand’s sex tourism industry is a very small part of the entire culture – however, it is a very powerful and prominent part of the system. That is why understanding this tiny component is very essential for anyone.
Thailand has a lot more to offer and so much more to learn. But this one small aspect is what drives the industry ablaze.
So even if you are a potential or existing sex tourist or you are someone who would never get into this dark world – the experience and the manner in which the author has shared this world – is nothing short of spectacular.
So if I had to summarize my entire book review in one sentence….this is what I would say… Private Dancer by Stephen Leather is…..
A COMPULSORY POWERFUL MUST READ BOOK FOR ANY TOURIST PLANNING TO VISIT THAILAND!
LOYMACHEDO’S OVERALL RATING
9.5 OUT OF 10
***********************
Loy Machedo
www.ThinkPersonalBranding.com | www.whoisloymachedo.com | www.loymachedo.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews