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1 Hawthorne Travel Writing- General

A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants

by Jaed Coffin

A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants Cover

ISBN13: 9780306815263
ISBN10: 0306815265
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Six years ago at the age of twenty-one, Jaed Muncharoen Coffin, a half-Thai American man, left New England's privileged Middlebury College to be ordained as a Buddhist monk in his mother's native village of Panomsarakram--thus fulfilling a familial obligation. While addressing the notions of displacement, ethnic identity, and cultural belonging, A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants chronicles his time at the temple that rain season--receiving alms in the streets in saffron robes; bathing in the canals; learning to meditate in a mountaintop hut; and falling in love with Lek, a beautiful Thai woman who comes to represent the life he can have if he stays. Part armchair travel, part coming-of-age story, this debut work transcends the memoir genre and ushers in a brave new voice in American nonfiction.

Book News Annotation:

Coffin left America for Thailand to follow his family's wishes to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. The process involved leaving one privileged, bicultural life for another that was exceedingly simple but enriched by gentle strangers. Coffin vividly recalls his sense of displacement and struggles with his ethnic identity as he describes serene temples, seasons of rain, saffron robes, baths in canals and those who reverently give him alms in the streets. By the time he falls in love with a beautiful Thai woman, readers fully understand that she represents the life he can have if he stays. A former philosophy major, boxer, sea kayak guide and lobsterman, Coffin brings his American sensibilities and Thai heritage together in an account that is witty and deeply appreciative of both his heritages. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Synopsis:

A simple story of a rain season in Thailand and a young man at the intersection of two cultures

Synopsis:

A the age of 21, Collins, a half-Thai American, left college to be ordained as a Buddhist monk in his mother's native village of Panomsarakram. While addressing the notions of displacement, ethnic identity, and cultural belonging, Coffin chronicles his time at the temple that rainy season.
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About the Author

Jaed Coffin holds a B.A. in philosophy from Middlebury College and an M.F.A. from the University of Southern Maines Stonecoast Writing Program. A boxer, sea-kayaker, and lobster fisherman, he lives in Brunswick, Maine.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Shoshana, January 9, 2010 (view all comments by Shoshana)
A sweet little memoir in which Coffin, half-Caucasian, half-Thai, spends a summer as a Buddhist monk in his mother's home village. Though his explorations of bi-cultural, bi-racial identity are not complex, they will resonate for adolescent and adult readers engaged in (or remembering) this developmental stage. Coffin's writing is descriptive and conveys mood well.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780306815263
Author:
Coffin, Jaed
Publisher:
Da Capo Press
Subject:
General
Subject:
Personal Memoirs
Subject:
Ethnic Cultures - General
Subject:
Buddhism - General
Subject:
Monastic and religious life (Buddhism)
Subject:
Social life and customs
Subject:
General Biography
Subject:
Thailand Social life and customs.
Subject:
Thai Americans.
Subject:
Biography - General
Copyright:
2008
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Publication Date:
20080131
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
205
Dimensions:
8.20x5.57x.59 in. .49 lbs.
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Related Aisles

A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$6.95 In Stock
Product details 205 pages Da Capo Press - English 9780306815263 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by ,
A simple story of a rain season in Thailand and a young man at the intersection of two cultures
"Synopsis" by , A the age of 21, Collins, a half-Thai American, left college to be ordained as a Buddhist monk in his mother's native village of Panomsarakram. While addressing the notions of displacement, ethnic identity, and cultural belonging, Coffin chronicles his time at the temple that rainy season.
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