Coincidence?

Coincidence?

I didn’t mean to write a post while I was away in Paris. So just  think of this as a little greeting from the banks of the Seine. It’s been a wonderful few days. During the weekend, my husband and I mostly ate, lurching from one wonderful meal to the next,...
To Research in Paris

To Research in Paris

I’m no fool. When I started thinking about what else I wanted to explore through my series of Cambodian novels, I thought to myself, “Gee, there is a rich and complicated history between Cambodia and France. I love Paris. I’m sure I need to do some...
"This is not a coup": Thinking about Thailand

"This is not a coup": Thinking about Thailand

It is impossible to care about Cambodia without caring about Thailand. The two countries share similar languages, culture and religion. Their histories are very much intertwined, sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries. If they are not brothers, then surely they...
Researching in Real Time

Researching in Real Time

The decision to set my next novel against the backdrop of Cambodia’s political situation today — as in today today, like now — is proving more and more fascinating all the time. I never know what will show up on my twitter feed while I’m eating...
A Question of Narration

A Question of Narration

I’m starting to think about novel four. That in itself amazes me. I have written and published three novels — my first one, Tangled Roots, about a physics professor; and then my two Cambodian novels, A Clash of Innocents and Out of the Ruins. Clearly,...