INDELIBLE

Khemarat Thongtawee has written two novels. The first made his name; the second won the Chao Phraya Prize. The third exists only as a title. He takes a probationary lectureship at Suriyawit University and tells himself the teaching is a discipline to write around, not a place to hide from writing.

Kawin Saikham is in his fourth year of literature. He is also the face of a cosmetics campaign, photographed under the name River, and he has spent his life being told in one way or another that his beauty is the only thing about him worth looking at. His honours thesis says otherwise. Khem is the one who has to read it.

What begins as supervision becomes something neither man can say aloud without losing what it would cost to say it. A post is probationary. A family is owed. A student with money and a seat on the university board knows more than he should.

Indelible is a slow, adult love story about two men taught to believe they are worth only what they can produce — and what happens when someone finally reads you correctly.

The ink washes off. The impression doesn't

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