 | |
| Author | Kukrit Pramoj |
|---|---|
| Original title | สี่แผ่นดิน |
| Translator | Tulachandra |
| Language | Thai |
Publication date | 1953 |
| Publication place | Thailand |
Published in English | 1981 |
Four Reigns (Thai: สี่แผ่นดิน, Si Phaendin) is a Thai historical novel by Kukrit Pramoj. First serialized in the Siam Rath newspaper from 1951 to 1952 and published in book form in 1953, the novel follows the life of Phloi (พลอย), a girl from a noble family who is brought to live in the royal court. As she grows up and lives her life through the reigns of kings Rama V to Rama VIII (1868–1946), she witnesses the social and political changes in the country leading to and following the abolishment of absolute monarchy in 1932. It is one of the most influential Thai novels, widely regarded as a classic[1] and described by the Encyclopaedia Britannica as "probably the best-selling Thai novel of all time."[2] Four Reigns offers a nostalgic view on the monarchy and aristocracy, contrasting what it paints as former glory days to the struggles Phloi faces following the political upheaval.[3]
- ^ Khaneka, Pushpinder (11 September 2014). "The best books on Thailand: start your reading here". The Guardian: Global development. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Thailand - The arts". Britannica. Retrieved 19 November 2021. This tertiary source reuses information from other sources but does not name them.
- ^ Chaloemtiarana, Thak (2018). Read till it shatters: Nationalism and identity in modern Thai literature. Asian Studies Series. ANU Press. pp. 147–148. doi:10.22459/RS.08.2018. ISBN 9781760462277.