Literature on Asia - Literatur über Asien

Traveling and reading usually go hand in hand. In addition to the classic travel guide, which is not discussed further here, many people along the way have a whole range of other literature in their luggage - to pass the time on the flight, relax on the beach or to immerse themselves in the culture of the travel destination. The Asian continent in particular still harbors many cultural and scenic secrets that the interested traveler would like to touch. The article would like to introduce a few works that offer an insight into the culture, history and diversity of Asia and should therefore find their way into the luggage. This article is mostly about entertainment. Technical literature (architecture, history ...) can also be found in the countries and local articles.

Travel reports

There are plenty of travel reports on the Internet. But it is always worthwhile to immerse yourself in foreign cultures with one or the other recommended book.

Asia

• Wolfgang Büscher: Asian absences. Reinbek: Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag, 2010, ISBN 978-3-499-24816-0 ; 159 pages (German). - The author has already written for “Geo”, the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” and “Die Welt”. Now he is the author for “Die Zeit”. He has brought back well-written literary travelogues from Asia.

• M.G. Schoeneberg: Spirits of the Yellow Leaves. Birmingham / Munich: King of Fools Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-3-940313-02-7 ; 358 pages (German). - A journey in 90,000 words through Laos and Lanaa. Everything starts with an ethno-expedition to Laos ... The author received a box with stories, emails, recordings and sketches of the title hero, who is thought to have been lost in northern Thailand. - authentic and fantastic at the same time.

Myanmar

• Ma Thanegi: Pilgrimage in Myanmar. Zurich: Unionsverlag, 2004, ISBN 3-293-20289-6 ; 255 pages (German). - The author was born in Myanmar and writes for the “Myanmar Times” and worked for Aung San Suu Kyi. In her book she describes her pilgrimage that leads her to her home country. Anyone who has already been to Myanmar will recognize many of the details described.

Nepal

• Klaus Hessenauer “Under Prayer Flags Trekking and Travel Experiences in Nepal” paperback 240 pages of which 22 with color pictures. A travel guide with a difference ISBN 978-3-7431-9529-5 The author sums up experiences, experiences, anecdotes and advice from 20 years of travel and trekking experience in Nepal. The common routes around Mt. Everest and Annapurna but also "silent paths" off the beaten track. (Mardi Himal, Khopra Danda, Tamang Heritage Trail, Mustang Yolmo / Helambu)

Detective novels

Detective novels can be found in almost every luggage. But they not only offer the necessary tension as a contrast to the deck chair on the beach, they also give a deep insight into their history behind the scenes of the travel destination. So why not put a novel in your pocket, the story of which is set in the travel destination?

China

• Diane Wei Liang: The jade eye. Cunning, 2008, ISBN 978-3-471-79172-1 ; 270 pages (German). - The young Chinese Mei dares to set up her own business and runs a private detective agency. One case confronts her with the past of her own family. In addition, the book gives an interesting insight into the Chinese system of careers and the ubiquitous Guanxi

India

• Vikram Chandra: The god of Bombay. Construction publishing house, 2006, ISBN 3-351-03091-6 ; 796 pages (German). - Opulent work about inspector Sartaj Sing at the Bombay police and India's most wanted criminal Ganesh Gaitonde. The novel with many storylines is continued in the novel "Bombay Paradise".

Laos

In Laos, the novels about the somewhat quirky Dr. Siri, who at the end of his career at the age of 72 was named the only coroner in the country. The delicious character of the main character and the exotic Laos offer irresistible crime fun and a great insight into the country and people of the country, which is still relatively unknown in Europe. These are the first two novels. Several episodes already exist, some of them in English.

• Colin Cotterill: Dr. Siri and his dead. Munich: Wilhelm Goldmann / Manhattan, 2008 (2nd edition), ISBN 978-3-442-54642-8 ; 318 pages (German).

• Colin Cotterill: Dr. Siri sees ghosts. Munich: Wilhelm Goldmann / Manhattan, 2009, ISBN 978-3-442-54644-2 ; 319 pages (German).

Cambodia

• Christopher G. Moore: Zero hour in Phnom Penh. Zurich: Unionsverlag, 2003 (2nd edition), ISBN 3-293-20260-8 ; 320 pages (German). - The exciting detective novel takes place in the city gives an insight into the time of Cambodia at the beginning of the nineties when the UNTAC tried to maintain a shaky peace in this badly battered country.

Thailand

• John Burdett: The Jade Rider. Piper Publishing House, 2004 (2nd edition), ISBN 3-492-04600-2 ; 469 pages. - The Thai policeman Sonchai is investigating the death of an American marine and his colleague friend. The search leads to the abysmal Bangkok. The novel gives an insight into the seething metropolis and the discussions between the title hero and his colleague from the FBI a glimpse into Thai culture and way of thinking.

• Christopher G. Moore: House of the Spirits. Unionsverlag, 2000, ISBN 978-3-293-20168-2 ; 312 pages (German). - A new case for private detective Vincent Calvino in a game of power and corruption in the Bangkok underworld.

Historical novels

Myanmar

• Amitav Gosh: The glass palace. Blessing, 2001, ISBN 978-3-896-67120-2 ; 606 pages. - The story of the life of the orphan Rajkumar begins with the pillage of the palace of Mandalay and the banishment of the royal family into exile in India in 1885. The author researched and traveled countries for five years. In addition to the life story of the main hero, his book tells a lot about the history of the country in the decades that followed.