AsiaLIFE

Mistaken identities, international diamond smugglers, hitmen and hallucinogenic truffles all feature in Johan Smits’ debut novel, Phnom Penh Express. Mark Bibby Jackson catches up with the Penh’s next Martin Amis.

MJ – Why Phnom Penh Express? What was the motivation for writing such a novel?
JS – It actually started off as a short story but then the story itself seemed to take matters into its own hands and didn’t want to stop. It was hard work, especially after finishing the first draft because by then you've read it already too many times, but it was also really good fun. I think the greatest motivation came from the satisfaction I felt each moment I finished a page.

MJ – Who do you think will enjoy reading the novel? What is your target?
JS – Anyone who has got US$13 to spare. I think it might particularly appeal to people who are already familiar with Phnom Penh as most of the characters visit places or find themselves in situations that you and I may have been in too. And if you happen to be in the business of international crime, that will help too. Just don’t expect any heavy literature with deep underlying meaning – Phnom Penh Express is pure entertainment.

MJ – A lot of the novel is set in the Chocolate Shop and The Shop and there is a heavy Belgian influence – even down to the moustaches – to what extent is the novel autobiographical?
JS – I feared I was going to be asked this question. I hope there aren’t too many autobiographical elements in it because then I’d be in big trouble. It might just have been me being pragmatic – I think if you want to write convincingly it’s good to write about what you know best and since I spent most of my youth in Belgium… I also like to poke fun at where I come from.

MJ – What genre would you describe the novel as - thriller, romance, comedy? There are elements of each within it.
JS – Yes, very good point! I hope I have just created a new genre and that I will soon be recognised as nothing less but an amazing genius for doing this. Let’s call it a thriroco!

MJ – There are quite a few novelists and wannabe novelists in Phnom Penh, how easy is it finding both the time and inspiration to write in a city with so many distractions?
JS – I’m not sure if Phnom Penh has much to do with getting distracted or not. I think it’s got more to do with your own nature. Sadly, I seem to like spending time with myself so distraction hasn’t been much of an issue for me. What is good about living in a place like Phnom Penh is that you might be able to afford working only part-time so you have time left for writing. Then there’s the city Phnom Penh itself with all its contradictions, weird characters and so on – inspiration galore!

MJ – In the novel you flirt with contentious issues such as corruption, what response do you expect from your readers?
JS – Oh, not much I hope – Phnom Penh Express doesn’t pretend at all to be tackling any big issues. Again, that's just a pragmatic choice it’s easy to write about corruption when you’re writing about crime.

MJ – What are your future literary plans?
JS – A while ago I finished the draft of the next one which is more serious in nature and a different genre altogether. I’m keen to dig it up from under the dark depths of my hard drive and finish it. If I get filthy rich with Phnom Penh Express, I might just be able to afford the time that I need…

MJ – The novel was largely self-published, how easy is it to get your own novel published in Cambodia? Do you have any advice for budding novelists?
JS – It’s quite simple really – presently there isn’t any established publishing company in Cambodia for fiction so you’d have to do it on your own or find a foreign publisher who’s willing to sell in Cambodia. The good news is, with a bit of creativity it’s very feasible to do it on your own and it’s fun too.

MJ – Finally, diamonds or chocolates, what do you think are a girl's best friend?
JS – Hah! If you read Phnom Penh Express, you’ll see it’s actually both in one…

Phnom Penh Express is available from Monument Books, 111 Norodom Blvd. for US$13. The novelist will attend a book launch at Monument Books, on Jun. 24.