A Good True Thai

A Good True Thai is the debut novel by Thai-American Sunisa Manning, who was born and raised in Bangkok. Set in Thailand during the 70s student movement and inspired by true events, the book is about three young people whose paths converge at university, where they are swept up by political activism and the thrill of first love.

The novel was a finalist for the 2020 Epigram Books Fiction Prize. Guru speaks to Manning, who now lives in California, about her novel and its timely publication.

What made you decide to write A Good True Thai?

The playwright Sarah Ruhl says there’s a public and a private reason every play is written, and I believe the same is true for novelists. The reason I usually share is that…