A Luang Prabang Love Story

In 1930s Luang Prabang, the beautiful and demure Kham-Phiou was much admired. On New Year's day, the life of the aristocratic young woman changed when she caught the eye of a sophisticated older man - Prince Souvanna Phouma. Falling madly in love, the prince determined to marry Kham Phiou against all odds - his family wanted a marriage within the dynasty, while her widowed mother feared palace intrigues. After the wedding, life in the prince's family home was very difficult, but just as Kham-Phiou began to adapt, the prince decided to move to Vientiane to further his career. The tale of their tragic love story spans over half a century and is set against the little-known backdrop of old-world Laos, where ancient customs and superstitions still held sway. In this charming and moving personal account, incorporating the social history of Laos, Manisamouth, recounts her grandmother Kham-Phiou's untold story accompanied by evocative black-and-white photographs, family trees, and a section on Lao history.

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A Luang Prabang Love Story

In 1930s Luang Prabang, the beautiful and demure Kham-Phiou was much admired. On New Year's day, the life of the aristocratic young woman changed when she caught the eye of a sophisticated older man - Prince Souvanna Phouma. Falling madly in love, the prince determined to marry Kham Phiou against all odds - his family wanted a marriage within the dynasty, while her widowed mother feared palace intrigues. After the wedding, life in the prince's family home was very difficult, but just as Kham-Phiou began to adapt, the prince decided to move to Vientiane to further his career. The tale of their tragic love story spans over half a century and is set against the little-known backdrop of old-world Laos, where ancient customs and superstitions still held sway. In this charming and moving personal account, incorporating the social history of Laos, Manisamouth, recounts her grandmother Kham-Phiou's untold story accompanied by evocative black-and-white photographs, family trees, and a section on Lao history.

14.95 In Stock
A Luang Prabang Love Story

A Luang Prabang Love Story

by Manisamouth Ratana Koumphon
A Luang Prabang Love Story

A Luang Prabang Love Story

by Manisamouth Ratana Koumphon

Paperback

$14.95 
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Overview

In 1930s Luang Prabang, the beautiful and demure Kham-Phiou was much admired. On New Year's day, the life of the aristocratic young woman changed when she caught the eye of a sophisticated older man - Prince Souvanna Phouma. Falling madly in love, the prince determined to marry Kham Phiou against all odds - his family wanted a marriage within the dynasty, while her widowed mother feared palace intrigues. After the wedding, life in the prince's family home was very difficult, but just as Kham-Phiou began to adapt, the prince decided to move to Vientiane to further his career. The tale of their tragic love story spans over half a century and is set against the little-known backdrop of old-world Laos, where ancient customs and superstitions still held sway. In this charming and moving personal account, incorporating the social history of Laos, Manisamouth, recounts her grandmother Kham-Phiou's untold story accompanied by evocative black-and-white photographs, family trees, and a section on Lao history.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9786164510425
Publisher: River Books
Publication date: 04/15/2020
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 5.88(w) x 8.37(h) x 0.45(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Foreword 9

Prologue | When History and Karma intertwine 13

Map of Luang Prabang 16

Chapter 1 The Pimay festivities in 1930 19

Chapter 2 Towards marriage 29

Chapter 3 The wedding 39

Chapter 4 The day after the wedding 53

Chapter 5 Daily life at the Downstream Mansion 61

Chapter 6 Stories of gold 71

Chapter 7 Mining prospecting in Muang Khay district 83

Chapter 8 Return to Luang Prabang 89

Chapter 9 Greatness and jealousy 97

Chapter 10 The tragedy 101

Chapter 11 Souvanna Phouma moves to Vientiane 105

Chapter 12 Of long divergent destinies 111

Chapter 13 Laos in the turmoil of wars 123

Epilogue | A toast to the reunited couple and regaining lost time 133

Appendix | Chronology of historical events (1940-1975) 141

Footnotes 149

Glossary 157

Bibliography 163

Family trees 165

Index 170

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