#rickstanton

[anthony-thailitblog]

A Retrospective On A Year Of Reading Thai Literature

Books read:

Aquanaut by Rick Stanton

A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Based on the fact that the narrator in “Aquanaut” embarks on a underwater exploration mission into the underwater caves of Thailand in order to save the boys trapped in the cave, I learned that Thailand boasts a diverse geography that includes not only beautiful beaches but also extensive cavern ecosystems. The vivid descriptions of underwater caves, their formations, and the space in the book highlight Thailand’s underground regions and its significance as a natural beauty and how entertaining it is to explore them. Also, While reading “A Wish in The Dark” My eyes were open to both the mountains as well as the rivers in the story which allowed me to picture more of Thailand’s natural beauty in just this narrative.With the descriptions of the water, and the mountain range really touched my heart.

In “A Wish In The Dark,” the story is set in a fictional Thai-inspired city called Chattana, where the narrative draws parallels to historical events like the abolition of slavery. Through this setting, I learned that Thailand has a complex history marked by social issues such as inequality and injustice. The book sheds light on how historical events have shaped Thai society and influenced its path towards progress and equality. In “Aquanaut” it is the actual story of the historic rescue of the 13 boys from the soccer team who were trapped in the cave.

Based on the fact that characters in both books engage with traditional Thai customs and beliefs, I learned that Thai culture is deeply rooted in traditions and spirituality. In “Aquanaut,” references to Thai cuisine like spicy curries and aromatic herbs showcase the importance of food in Thai culture. Additionally, the portrayal of Buddhist temples and rituals in “A Wish In The Dark” underscores the significance of religion in shaping social values and community practices in Thailand and the story of the light orbs is also significant as the most sacred light is the golden orb and in Thai culture, it is the color of Kings.

From “Aquanaut,” I learned about resilience and determination through the protagonist’s unwavering pursuit to rescue others and put your life on the line despite facing challenges in the underwater caves. This book emphasizes the importance of perseverance and courage in overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s goals.From “A Wish In The Dark,” I gleaned insights into themes of justice, compassion, and hope as characters navigate a world divided by privilege and poverty. The story highlights the power of empathy and solidarity in bringing about positive change and fighting against oppression. Together these two stories increased my understanding of Thailand and The beautiful world woven into these narratives. Both the real Thailand in “Aquanaut” as well as the world of Chattana in “A Wish In The Dark” painted Thailand in a way I have never thought of before. From the symbolism and thematic ideas in “A wish in the dark” touching my heart, to the heart-stopping, incredible narrative of the rescue of those boys in “Aquanaut”, I definitely recommend anyone to read Thai literature as it is very enjoyable.

Word count: 513 of the blog

536 in total

[anthony-thailitblog]

“that I didn't feel ready for this emotional scene, but now seemed like an appropriate time to finally. meet them.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (371)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“Derek would later say, 'You under-promised and over-delivered?”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (370)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“We had thought that handing our boy over to thousands of rescuers would be safe, but in fact that was where everything had fallen apart.”—Rick Stanton, Aquanaut(360)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“You don’t start a cave dive with your fingers crossed”—Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (341)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“They're all alive,' one of the Americans assured me. It was nice to hear those words again.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (339)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“Jason kitted up again while Craig and I laid Note down and carefully put the mask back on, tightening the five straps and spending an inordinate amount of time making sure that the mask was sealed properly.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (330)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“Jason was forced to turn back when the tube he was using to carry his camping supplies was crushed from the pressure at 7e metres; John, René and I carried on without him and set up camp in Tipperary again.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (320)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“Those divers had hardly touched the surface-it was vastly lagging behind the limits of exploration that had been accomplished in Other European caves - when Rupert suggested it as anext project…”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (310)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“By the time we arrived back at Tham Luang in the early afternoon, things were beginning to change on site. Green mesh priva screens were being put up in certain areas.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (300)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“We devised a simple plan on the premise that simpler is safer.'”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (290)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“I felt like I was inside an open artery deep inside the planet's crust.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (280)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“I was confident that Connor would serve well on the team, and we requested that he be brought over, along with his diving partner, Josh Bratchley, and Jim Warny, a diver from Ireland”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (270)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“pathan had placed a line where the floor met the wall, giving the a contact with the cave. We over-weighted them, so they just had pilthemselves along.”—Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (255)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“'I remember feeling overjoyed when Rick surfaced and I saw his face. It was a great relief?” Jonathan Sims, discussing his rescue from a Mexican cave!” — Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (245)

[anthony-thailitblog]

“I began reminding Derek of the pump workers' panicstricken responses during their rescue, and he nodded as I spoke.”— Rick Stanton, Aquanaut (238)