Sons of Isan

Taking Refuge in a Thai Temple

Non-Fiction - Inspirational
182 Pages
Reviewed on 01/26/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

William Reyland's writing conveys a warmth and adoration for those other places, and the beauty of living life fully. He offers this through his spiritual and cultural reflections from across southeast and eastern Asia. He currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri serving as an interfaith hospice chaplain.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Sons of Isan: Taking Refuge in a Thai Temple is a beautifully written and inspiring memoir by William Reyland. Born and raised in the American Midwest, the author had a good life. He had a nice house in a pleasant community with all the comforts of Western living. He performed with various jazz groups and taught music from his home studio. However, he felt that his life was pointless. He had studied with Thai Buddhists at a temple near his home and wanted to learn more. When his son turned eighteen, he decided to immerse himself in the culture of a Buddhist monastery in rural Thailand for a year. Giving away all his possessions, he went on a pilgrimage to a temple in Isan. In his book, he lets his readers experience his fascinating journey of spiritual discovery.

William Reyland’s Sons of Isan is an exhilarating memoir that takes us to a Buddhist temple in Isan. A master storyteller, Reyland writes with great attention to detail so that his prose evokes powerful images in our minds. There is no attempt here to romanticize the experience or teach readers about Buddhism from either a spiritual or theoretical perspective. Eventually ending up as an English teacher, a designated driver, and a monk was an extraordinary experience. At times humorous, at times contemplative, it’s a poignant tale of a man’s physical and spiritual journey to find meaning. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to leave behind the stress of modern life and stay in a Buddhist monastery, as well as those who want to discover the purpose and meaning of life. Highly recommended.