Some lovely photographs in this book which is basically about architecture in SE Asia....with a nod to some of the decorative arts (sculpture, weaving, lacquer, ceramics etc). I did feel that it tended to over-emphasise the current ex-pat residences much more so than local residences and I also found myself wondering about the real comfort of all this open air living in the tropics. Yes, it makes for some lovely photographs with all the beautiful vegetation, views of rice terraces and blue swimming pools. But I found myself wondering (based on some experience living in Malaysia for three years, and holidaying in many of the other locations) how they REALLy manage with the mosquitos. Yes mosquito nets look lovely and romantic but they are difficult to manage and complex to negotiate and hard to clean and replace. And the outdoor verandahs also look lovely in the pictures but are quite hot and sweaty when the temperature gets up to around 33 degrees or more.
And, as for libraries in the tropics......my books swelled by about 20% with the humidity and mould was a problem. I also found myself wondering who was looking after the beautiful lotus flowers in the pools around pavilions or bedrooms. Of course, the answer is low-paid local gardeners or assistants. And what happens to these gardens when prosperity rises and the gardeners no longer want to tend lotus ponds but are driving taxis for tourists?
I also noticed that many of these ex-pats had apparently retired to their dream villas and gardens ...but my experience is that such retirement is normally a temporary phenomenon: ok until you are about 80 but after that your health becomes an issue and managing the estate becomes burdensome and the family (if there is any) don't visit very much ........so the owners try and sell-up and return home where there is better medical care and (hopefully) caring family.
Having said all of that, the villas and gardens shown in this book are truly lovely and inspiring and a credit to the architects, designers and owners. I enjoyed it and rank it at about 3.5 stars. ( )