The King’s Last Song

The King’s Last Song
Geoff Ryman

A great king brings peace to a warring nation. Centuries later his writings will bring hope to those facing the tragic legacy of modern Cambodia’s bloody history.When archaeologists discover a book written on gold leaves at Angkor Wat, everyone wants a piece of the action. But the King, the Army and the UN are all outflanked when the precious artefact is kidnapped, along with Professor Luc Andrade, who was accompanying it to the capital for restoration.Luckily for Luc, his love and respect for Cambodia have won him many friends, including ex-Khmer Rouge cadre Map and the young moto-boy William. Both equally determined to rescue the man they consider their mentor and recover the golden book, they form an unlikely bond. But William is unaware of just how closely Map's bloody past affects him.The book contains the words and wisdom of King Jayavarman VII, the Buddhist ruler who united a war-torn Cambodia in the twelfth century and together with his enlightened wife created a kingdom that was a haven of peace and learning. His extraordinary story is skilfully interwoven with the tales of Luc, Map and William to create an unforgettable and dazzling evocation of the spirit of Cambodia and her peoples in all their beauty and tragedy.

GEOFF RYMAN

The King’s Last Song

or

Kraing Meas

Dedication (#ulink_70876df7-516a-5a0c-9c97-b93a12132172)

dedicated toTamara and da boize

Epigraph (#ulink_5004bde7-2354-50e5-946b-411d07b28fd9)

‘Oh you who are wise, may you come more and more to consider all meritorious acts as your own.’

Sanskrit inscription on the temple of Pre Rup, translated by Kamaleswar Bhattacharya

‘As wealthy as Cambodia’

Traditional Chinese saying

Contents

Cover (#ub75b7bf5-6075-5946-a398-f733aae7b7a1)

Title Page (#ubd772c11-5b7a-50cd-8485-b5beda0b5eea)

Dedication (#ud04948b7-668d-50fa-86b8-c61540e0dea9)

Epigraph (#u1ac70688-c5b0-5a70-91fe-20a1d69344f8)

Awakening (#u83d1bbcb-d563-5a1f-a28f-186407f13f18)

April 1136 (#u8d2cd4df-a69e-5026-bfc0-ead4cba85fc3)

April 11, 2004 (#uae740a65-25a6-583e-ad67-7181b6df18ff)

April 1967, April 2004 (#u0ba2b635-09fc-5a08-9fc5-394ba07198a7)

April 13, 2004 (#u22202457-2729-5693-a460-34998f4d77c5)

April 1142 (#u97cf90e0-a74a-58c7-8fad-8c00daa0f472)

April 13, April 14, 2004 (#u92d4b9d3-63ab-5ca7-ba95-79950f89a415)

April 1147 (#ude66e4ea-b21f-54fa-918d-b58622f1c940)

April 14, 2004 (#u46c0687b-b323-57ed-bdb6-aea6923fb74e)

April 1988, April 1989, April 1990 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1151 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 15, 2004, part one (#litres_trial_promo)

September 1960 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1152 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 15, 2004, part two (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1160 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 16, 2004 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1165 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 16, 2004, night (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1177 (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1181 (#litres_trial_promo)

Season of Drought and Sweating (#litres_trial_promo)

April 1191 (#litres_trial_promo)

Acknowledgements (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

Also by the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Awakening (#ulink_b369d717-abea-5a42-9936-13223f58e993)

You could very easily meet William.

Maybe you’ve just got off the boat from Phnom Penh and nobody from your hotel is there to meet you. It’s miles from the dock to Siem Reap.

William strides up and pretends to be the free driver to your hotel. Not only that but he organizes a second motorbike to wobble its way round the ruts with your suitcases.