Thai spiritualism is the major theme of The Spirit House, with most of the novel illustrating Thailand's cultural perspectives by contrasting them with typical American views. The contrast begins with the American family's expectations for the young man coming from Thailand to live with them while attending a local high school. The novel's narrator and main character, Julie Kamen, fears that Thamrongsak Tanngarmtrong will be a nerd who will embarrass her at school. She expects a young man who will be a very studious and very unpopular bookworm. Her parents seem to hope for a young man who will be overwhelmingly grateful to them and amazed by the wonderful prosperity of America.

The young man they meet at the airport defies their preconceptions: He is handsome, relaxed, and at ease with his surroundings. He smokes cigarettes heavily and seems worldly. When he sees his...