Blurb:
Nong, a young Muay Thai boxer, faces the ultimate challenge of realising his dream to compete at Lumpinee, the renowned boxing arena in Bangkok. Set against a backdrop of treacherous friends, temptation, and the harsh reality of poverty, this gripping tale unfolds with a blend of magic and brutal realism, portraying acts of kindness, courage, pain, and bravery that define the world of Muay Thai.
I loved this book - I love Thailand, Thai boxing (Muay Thai), Thai food and the culture and atmosphere around all of it, so this was an instant yes from me!
This is a coming of age story following main character Nong as he battles with life in and out of the ring and tries to succeed in his journey, facing physical and moral challenges along the way.
I loved the respect shown to the customs and traditions of the country and of the sport, and it is clear that the author loves the sport herself through the care and detail included in her writing about it.
the descriptions of Thailand and the people and food will have you hungry and travel-ready, and the plot of the story itself will have you hooked, willing Nong to win and emerge victorious on all fronts of the challenges he faces.
Having spent time in Thailand at a boxing training camp (see pics above) I felt the authenticity of the fights and training was brilliant here, the respect for the fighters, their traditions and dedication to the sport all shone through, as did the seedy and somewhat shady element of nefarious promoters and shadowy figures making bets and putting pressure on Nong to bend to their will.
Well worth a read and highly recommended!
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About the author
S J Clarke's global career spans the technology and arts worlds, being both an author and successful entrepreneur. When not driving the growth of innovative technology companies, Clarke writes. She has undertaken assignments in Oman, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Iran. A former advisor to the board of The Substation, Singapore, she has conceptualised conferences in modern arts and spoken word poetry. Clarke is the 2014 recipient of the La Salle Incubator Fund Award. Sally holds M.A degrees from Goldsmith College, University of London and Barcelona University and a B.A. (Hons.).
S J Clarke
@sjclarkeauthor
My Thanks to Kay and Helen at Literally PR for a copy of the book and the chance to post and launch the blogtour for this gripping tale!
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Review by Rich Simpson (@richreadalot) March 2025
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