Trying to find more ways to improve your Lao reading comprehension and vocabulary? You should try reading some Lao books, also called pum (ປຶ້ມ)! I think there’s no better way to learn about a language or culture than to immerse yourself in one of their literary works.
In this article, we’ll touch on three outstanding Lao novels you should read. We’ll also answer some questions related to literature and discuss ways to actively learn while reading. Additionally, we have included a table of relevant vocabulary that you can use when describing Lao books. Read on for more!
Table Of Contents
A History Of Lao Books And Literature
The history of Lao books and literature is rich and has evolved from centuries of oral storytelling, religious scriptures, and the introduction of modern literature. Early written records of Lao storytelling are rare due to the predominance of the oral storytelling tradition. Literacy tended to only be taught in Buddhist monasteries, and literary education was a luxury reserved for the elite.
Before written language became common, local stories and myths were passed down verbally from generation to generation. These included tales of mythical creatures, fables, and local deities. An example of this is the Lao creation epic Khun Bourom (ຂຸນບູຣົມ), which details how the human race emerged from a gourd that grew out of a buffalo carcass (we’re not kidding, this is how it goes!).
Buddhism also played a big role in shaping the literacy of the common people. Many young men were educated at Buddhist monasteries, learning the ancient Pali language and how to scribe in Lao script, preserving knowledge of palm leaves. During the 14th to 18th centuries, traditional folklore, historical events, and traditional arts and culture flourished as a result of the Lan Xang Empire, which was a Buddhist kingdom that ruled the area of modern-day Laos and Northeastern Thailand.
Following the end of the Lan Xang Empire, French colonial rule brought significant changes to Lao literature. The introduction of the printing press and the organization of literature led to the preservation of old documents and important literature. Western literary genres such as novels and memoirs began to merge with traditional themes to create a modern ‘fusion’ of Lao and Western sensibilities.
If the history of Lao literature piqued your interest, read on to see our suggestions on must-read Lao books!
Recommended Lao Books To Read
If you’re spoiled for choice and are looking for something more obscure to read to improve your Lao, these three Lao books will surely satiate your appetite. There’s something for everybody, whether it’s memoirs, a historical thriller, or a grounded tale set in centuries-old Laos.
1. Mother’s Beloved – Outhine Bounyavong
Outhine Bounyavong’s Mother’s Beloved is a collection of 14 of his best short stories set in rural Laos. Written between the late 1960s to the 1990s, the stories offer a look into the life of the ordinary Laotian during this complicated time period. The social commentary and exploration of themes such as life, death, war, and nature make it a valuable read for young Laotians and Lao diaspora alike. Some editions of Mother’s Beloved also come in a bilingual format, where you can follow the original text and translations as you read along.
2. The Coroner’s Lunch – Colin Cotterill
Accessible to English speakers, The Coroner’s Lunch is a spy-thriller set in the late 1970s, a turbulent period in Southeast Asian geopolitics. This book is recommended for readers looking to sink their teeth into understanding Lao culture and the Cold War history of Laos. It follows the story of Dr. Siri Paiboun, a doctor-turned-coroner of the newly established Lao PDR, as he navigates the struggles of your average public servant with added mysteries of the supernatural and absurd kind. Stick to the end for a massive twist! If you can’t get enough of Cotterill’s writing, make sure to read the rest of the Dr. Siri series – it only gets better.
3. Phra Phoutthahoup Saksit (The Sacred Buddha Image) – Pierre Somchine Nginn
Pierre Somchine Nginn is an author described as the ‘first modern Lao writer,’ according to famed Lao writer Outhine Bounyavong. Written during the samai funfou xat (ສະໄຫມຟື້ນຟູຊາດ), or ‘Period of National Renovation’, Phra Phoutthahoup Saksit (The Sacred Buddha Image) was published in 1944 and is considered to be the first modern Lao novel ever written. It chronicles the fictional story of a Franco-Lao detective searching for a stolen sacred image of the Buddha during the era of the Kingdom of Laos. Most editions come with English footnotes for students, which makes this book a must-read for intermediate Lao learners.
How Do You Say ‘Books’ In Lao?
The word for ‘books’ in Lao is pum (ປຶ້ມ).
Vocabulary Related To Lao Books
Armed with knowledge of three prominent works of Lao literature, take note of the vocabulary below when talking about Lao books. For more related phrases and vocabulary practice, don’t miss out on using the Ling app!
| English | Lao | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Book | ປຶ້ມ | pum |
| Author | ຜູ້ຂຽນ | phou khian |
| Writer | ນັກຂຽນ | nak khian |
| Literature | ວັນນະຄະດີ | vannakhadi |
| Writing | ການຂຽນ | kan khian |
| Genre | ປະເພດ | paphet |
| What’s your favorite book? | ປຶ້ມທີ່ເຈົ້າມັກທີ່ສຸດແມ່ນຫຍັງ? | pum thi chao mak thi sout men nyang? |
| My favorite book is… | ຂ້ອຍມັກປຶ້ມ…ທີ່ສຸດ | khoy mak pum…thi sout |
Frequently Asked Questions About Lao Books
1. What Is The Most Famous Literature Of Laos?
The most famous literary work of Laos is widely accepted to be the Phra Lak Phra Ram (ພຣະລັກພຣະຣາມ), also spelled Phra Lak Phra Lam (ພະລັກພະລາມ). It’s an adapted version of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, that combines epic storytelling with traditional Lao music and theater, called lakhon (ລະຄອນ).
2. How Old Is The Lao Language?
Due to the Lao language’s rich history dating back centuries, it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly the language emerged. Linguistically, it is a part of the Tai-Kadai language family and evolved over time along with other languages such as Khmer and Thai. It is likely that Lao has been used since at least the 14th century, during the establishment of the Lan Xang Empire.
3. Is It Difficult To Read Lao?
For English speakers, Lao’s unique script proves a challenge to learn due to its differences in sound and appearance. However, once you get a hang of the Lao alphabet and the quirks of Lao sentence structure, reading basic texts like street signs or menus will become a piece of cake!
Read More Books To Improve Your Lao!
Now that we’ve covered three different Lao books, in addition to vocabulary related to the topic, you should have a good idea of the different types of literature that Laos offers. Reading books in Lao, or books that have topics related to Lao culture, can massively improve not only your reading comprehension but also your cultural knowledge as well.
Our tip for you is to read one of the books with an English-Lao dictionary on hand so you can refer to words you don’t know yet. Another important tip is to use a soft pencil to mark words or phrases you’re having trouble with understanding or saying, so you can review them afterward in the dictionary or with a native Lao speaker.
So, which book caught your eye? Colin Cotterill’s spy thriller? Or Nginn’s literary masterpiece?
Whatever your choice, good luck in your Lao-learning journey – and don’t stop reading!
