Five Studies on Khun Chang Khun Phaen

"Baker and Pasuk have single-handedly invigorated international interest in classical Thai literature by translating the monumental folk epic Khun Chang Khun Phaen. Now they have compiled this invaluable collection of essays that illustrates how the epic has been read and understood. Three of the essays are superb translations of classic studies by Thai literary scholars — Boonlua, Cholthira, and Warunee. Baker and Pasuk have thrown down a gauntlet to challenge non-Thai-reading literary scholars to deploy current literary theory in conversation with their Thai colleagues. I hope that sparks will fly."—Thak Chaloemtiarana, professor of Asian literature, religion, culture, and Southeast Asian studies, Cornell University