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I must admit I was a little skeptical on reading the title of this book given that I am no great fan of reading about the sexploits of others. And anyone who refers to Bangkok as “the ‘Kok” is on the back foot right from the start. Upon reading the first dozen or so pages I was intrigued by the story, impressed by the writer’s easy style but quite put off by the derogatory use of one particular word beginning with “c” that refers to female genetalia. In my humble opinion it is just plain crass to refer to women as “c##ts.”
Despite my initial reservations I soon warmed to the narrator who comes off as a highly illuminated, deep-thinking man whose straight talking honesty struck enough chords with me to build some nice harmonies. The author, - presumably using a pen name - Crazy Horse, takes the reader through a guided tour of his induction to Bangkok nightlife while reflecting upon the differences of life in what he calls “Planet America” and “Hell-A”. This is where the book deviates from expectations with Crazy Horse, sometimes ranting and sometimes philosophizing, as he transforms into a self-styled guru dishing out advice in what becomes a man’s guide to empowered living.
The author sums it up nicely himself: “This book is not about fucking or about using women or getting cheap sex from prostitutes. Okay, it is about that last thing, bit it’s really about breaking free from the shackles of standard, conventional thought that has ruled the world for a thousand generations; the stupid, blind malaise and rule worship of Judeo-Christian Planet America.”
If this was indeed his mission then “A Year in the ‘Kok” does a great job at cutting through the bullshit of misguided societal expectations of male behavior. Crazy Horse gives institutions ranging from the military to feminism, from capitalism to marriage, both barrels full blast through a list of fifty-four “Lessons from Yoda” that provides the broad structure of the book.
Alongside the ongoing guru-philosophizing the reader also follows the evolution of Crazy Horse from a being neon-struck newbie, to a seasoned sex monger and pick-up artist before he comes to recognize the emptiness of sleeping with a different woman every night and yearns for a deeper connection. When he spots his dream “doe-eyed girl” on the skytrain it appears that he has come full-circle from his hellish relationship experiences in “Hell-A” and is ready once again to try to settle on one woman.
“A Year in the ‘Kok” is a blunt, in-your-face, expose of what is on offer to men in Bangkok and it pulls no punches. Crazy Horse offers no apology for this and nor should he as this book goes much deeper than recalling easy sexual conquests. Crazy Horse himself says, “I’m not trying to justify the behavior that goes down in the ‘Kok. That’s not our purpose here. I‘m trying to humanize it, illuminate it for full review with your wits and senses.” He most certainly achieves this purpose and I found his book both fascinating and insightful.