This book did a fantastic job of drawing the reader into the story through the voice of a journalist in Thailand, then transferring the story to the varied points of view of American missionaries, remote anthropologists, and isolated villagers. The reader learns about the two primary characters the same way the narrator does, through bits and pieces of information gathered through distant friends and relatives. It's an effective and captivating way of telling the story.

The narrator, who shares a name and occupation with the author, injects plenty of descriptions of unusual Thai habits, glorious floral surroundings and spicy food to engage the reader with the foreign setting. The narrator is also an enjoyable character and it's fun to watch him form opinions and interact with the people he interviews.

The writing is clear, engaging and occasionally funny. The stories within stories here are brilliantly sketched together to create a whole. This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys good fiction.