THE COZY MYSTERY STYLE OF THAI NOVELS IN ALINA'S “SAO NOI KAEWALIN” SERIES

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the characteristics of Thai Cozy Mystery novels in Alina's "Sao Noi Kaewalin" series, primarily using documentary research and textual analysis, within the conceptual framework of literary genres and structuralism of Vladimir Propp. This study focuses on investigating the common structural patterns in the selected novel series, in order to explain the distinctive features of the genre and the adaptation of Cozy Mystery structures to the Thai social and cultural context.

The study found that Alina's "Sao Noi Kaewalin" series exhibits five key characteristics of Cozy Mystery novels: 1) the use of amateur detective characters, 2) avoidance of violence, 3) setting the story in a small community or familiar area, 4) emphasis on the warm atmosphere of relationships between characters, and 5) the creation of humor and relaxation in the narrative. Simultaneously, the author integrates Thai cultural and social elements into the Cozy Mystery structure, making the stories relatable to Thai readers through: 1) the use of settings and the presentation of interdependent relationships in Thai society, 2) the presentation of Thai traditions and beliefs, 3) the presentation of Thai food culture, 4) the use of Thai language and idioms in dialogue, and 5) the inclusion of contemporary Thai social issues.

          The study shows that Alina successfully adapted the Western cozy mystery novel format to the Thai context, both in terms of narrative structure and content. Beyond entertainment, the novels also made readers aware of various issues in contemporary Thai society through storytelling in the Cozy Mystery genre.