The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth by Veeraporn Nitiprapha

Details
Hi everyone!
For our February book club, we will be reading and discussing
The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth by Veeraporn Nitiprapha.

First published in Thailand in 2015, this novel won the Southeast Asian (SEA) Write Award, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the region. As Veeraporn Nitiprapha’s debut novel, it caused a literary sensation in Thailand.

Synopsis
On the day Chareeya is born in a riverside town on the outskirts of Bangkok, her mother discovers that her father has been having an affair with a traditional Thai dancer. From that moment on, Chareeya’s life is fated to bear the weight of her parents’ disappointment.

Growing up in an insular world with her younger sister Chalika, Chareeya’s sheltered life changes when they are joined by Pran, a quiet orphaned boy. Together, the three enter a labyrinth of their own making, each struggling to escape a destiny that seems impossible to avoid.

Historical Background
The novel reflects a period of transition in Thailand, moving from traditional rural life to the chaos and intensity of Bangkok as a modern metropolis. Beneath the surface of the story lies the backdrop of political polarization and protest movements that intensified after the 2006 military coup.

In particular, the military crackdown on the Red Shirt movement evokes what the author herself witnessed: a nation that appeared calm on the surface, yet marked by a troubling sense of public indifference. In this context, the novel’s “labyrinth of love” functions as a metaphor for the repeated cycles of repression and division within Thai society.

Strongly influenced by Buddhist mythology and classical Thai literature, the novel employs magical realism, blending reality and fantasy to portray contemporary experiences of loneliness, inequality, and inescapable fate.

About the Author
Veeraporn Nitiprapha (วีรพร นิติประภา) was born in Bangkok on August 4, 1962. After growing up in Bangkok, she briefly studied in Melbourne, Australia. She worked as a fashion magazine editor, copywriter, and creative director at an advertising agency before running her own jewelry brand for over a decade. Following the brand’s closure, she devoted herself fully to writing.
She is married, has one son, lives in Bangkok, and is well known for her love of gardening and cats.

Book Details
Length: approximately 206 pages
Price: Kindle ¥1,341 (about USD $8.55)

Join Us!
Our online book club will take place on
Sunday, February 15, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Japan time)
You can join even if you don’t have a Jitsi account by clicking the URL provided on the right.

Please do not click “Join in app”—simply select “Join in browser.”
What We’ll Do
You don’t need to finish the book to participate—though reading it will certainly enrich the discussion! Bring a cup of coffee or tea and share your favorite passages, thoughts, and questions. We’ll use a discussion guide based on the novel to help structure our conversation.

Important to Know
✓ For smooth communication and security, please keep your camera on during the session. If your camera is off or your face is not visible, you may be removed from the call. Thank you for your understanding.
✓ There is no entrance fee or membership fee.
✓ Participants come from diverse backgrounds—please be respectful of different perspectives.
We would love for you to join us!
We look forward to discussing this beautiful novel together and spending a wonderful time with everyone.