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3.0 out of 5 stars
A Look into Another World, March 18, 2013
By John Zunski (Montana)
I really enjoyed Bargirl, for me it was a glimpse into a different world, one which is both revolting and appealing. The story is good, with the exception of the final chapter which left me with a phony happily-ever-after feeling. I also get the feeling that the work has been translated into English, such is the choppiness of the sentence structure. If you're a grammar Nazi, run the other way; if you want a feel for a world that you're likely not to experience, dive in. I know I'm going to check out other titles by Mr. Thompson, for they may broaden my horizons a little.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Should have gone with a western male protagonist., January 16, 2013
By RCR
Apparently set in Pattaya except for some oddities such as surf, sun beds on the beach, and girlie bars with in-house restaurants. Well, Secrets might qualify on that last item, though in my opinion, that bar is nothing like the overwhelmingly successful customer magnets portrayed in the book.

The narrative is supposed to be from the point of view of a badly abused, uneducated village girl. Instead it is obviously a product of a western male's thought processes and attitudes. The author appears to be relating his own tourist experiences in Pattaya plus stories gleaned from a certain forum. The book exudes a western rags to riches philosophy and wishful thinking to assuage guilty consciences. If the author had written the book from the point of view of the male foreign bar owner it would have felt much more true. The bar owner is by far the most convincing and true-to-life character in the book.

There is also a wrap-it-all-up neatness about the plot. The bad and troublesome guys conveniently shoot each other dead. A damning police file is literally dropped at the feet of the main character for her to destroy at her leisure. And there's a cloying, groaningly too neat ending where it is explained how everyone who is nice gets to live happily ever after.

And don't mention s*x. No, seriously, don't mention it. Okay, if you must mention it, you can say it happens, but only as in: "they went behind the boatsheds for awhile".

Oh, and Mills & Boon called. They want their storyline back.

This book is actually a worthwhile read. I just wish the author hadn't tried to tell the story from the point of view of the female
character. It's a bit like a fish trying to tell the story of Lance Armstrong from the point of view of his bicycle.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps Authentic but Incredibly Depressing, February 14, 2013 By Steve Thomas (Mooresville, IN)
I find the other reviews of this bk inexplicable. As a former editor I can compete with anyone in the Language Nazi Olympics. This book, however, is perfectly readable, as far as spelling, syntax and grammar are concerned.
As a story, however, it leaves muc to be desired. Others claimed to be riveted to the story, but I kept going back to the story again and again, hoping that it would capture my attention. Sorry, but no joy. I didn't dislike the characters at all; I could barely identify anything about them other than names.
Now, it's entirely possible that the last 90% of the book is a masterpiece. I rarely give up on a book before I've read a least a quarter, but I've only, through dogged effort, been able to read about 5%.
Currently, the book is free. If that situation has changed by the time you are reading this, please try a sample first. If you find this book as dreary and unpleasant as I do, the sample should tell you that. If I'm as full of beans as the other reviews would imply, you should be able to figure that out from the sample. and getting the rest of the book is simple enough at that point.
And if you decide I'm full of beans, please reply to this review and tell me what I've missed. I've been known to change my mind, a unlikely as it seems to me now. Maybe I'm just having a terrible, no-good very-bad day.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional, strong, unapologetic, March 15, 2013 By BMallen (Texas)
Wow! I just finished reading this powerful, moving story. It is not mythological read, but I was interested in how the author, a male, would deal with the topic - especially as it is told from the heroine, Siswan' s, point of view. Mr.Thompson does the job admirably. Siswan begins as a young innocent child who is forced to grow up too quickly but, what sets her apart is her self control. She controls, internalizes, channels, and directs the anger that builds up inside of her, which allows her to live another day. Her determination is unfailing.

She is able to survive not just because of her innate strength, but also because of the small businesses and few friends that give her cause to hope for the future. Hope for herself and hope that there is some good left somewhere in humanity.

Suspension of disbelief is readily given by the reader as she explains how she learned with such unerring precision the ways of the farang, the foreigner, learns English, becomes a superior businessperson, and the resolution of her issues with her brother and her boyfriend. It is given because the reader is part of the solution, we are all fighting for Siswan' s success because her success will result in hope for all of us. We need her to succeed in her quest; it is almost the redemption of a cruel part of human nature - not a condemnation of human frailty, but an acknowledgement. If Siswan can attain her goals, we are all redeemed in dome small way.

Thank you, David Thompson, for bringing the plight if the bar girl to our attention and letting us feel the sorrow and pride of a sector if Thai life.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating read, November 11, 2012
By Peter
From the first page, the writing describes a harsh life for a young girl. There was a sadness that ran throughout the book but despite that, this was a book that I could not put down. I was taken on a journey across a country and through two lives that kept me reading long into the night. Although billed as fiction, the book had a realistic feel to it - extensive research or personal experience perhaps. Despite the sadness and the vivid descriptions of the hard reality of life, it was uplifting and filled with hope.

As for the conclusion? I found that I had reached the end of my journey as the book came to a close. I was ready to part company with the people and wish them well. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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I haven't read a book for a long time but when a friend recommended reading books written by fellow foreigners living in Thailand, I chose to read Bar Girl and I'm really glad I did. Having lived here for over two years and having listened to all those horror stories from farangs who have led lives inundated with bar girls and have basked in the seedy night scene in either Pattaya or BKK, I thought I knew these belles of the night inside and out. Reading this book has been both enlightening and very entertaining. It brings you to some sort of unknown world where you get to know the people whose lives, hopes and aspirations are similar to yours although they have chosen to pursue theirs in ways totally opposite to yours. You'll relate and perhaps even sympathize with the characters in this book the author has cleverly gave life to and chucked together in a world of not just flesh and moans and the glitter of gold but of a world you yourself has to discover when you read this book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A good story, September 14, 2012
By The Adventurer
I downloaded this e-book because Kindle was giving it away for free. Some free e-books were gems, while others weren't. This is definitely a gem. I can relate to the story, because I actually traveled through Thailand and learned quickly the local ways. I left Thailand with my bank account intact, despite the onslaught of beautiful exotic women.

I wished the author put the names of some of the cities. I imagine this story may be connected to real people.

The strength of the novel is the author keeps my interest engaged, which is very difficult to do now. I downloaded so many books where I struggled to finish reading them. I am reading this book quickly, because it is interesting.

The weakness of the story is it needs more editing. I imagine some English language Nazis would cringe over every page. However, I can look beyond this and appreciate the story. I rate the story a five star.