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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
“Life is seldom dull for dissidents in Burma,” as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remarks throughout the book. Letters from Burma brings 52 short writings between November 1995 and 1996 in the period following Daw Suu’s release from house arrest. The ‘letters’ were first conceived as a weekly publication for the newspaper Mainichi Shinbun in Japan and the collected letters in book form were also first published in Japanese. The tones and contents of the letters are totally different from her earlier collected writings [b:Freedom from Fear|106320|Freedom from Fear|Aung San Suu Kyi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424056821l/106320._SY75_.jpg|102486], first published in 1991, which is more academic in its nature and was not intended to be published apart from its academic intention. In Letters from Burma, we could see the transformation from Aung San Suu Kyi the Academician into Aung San Suu Kyi the Politician.
Unlike her previous writings which I think are more objective and academic in their nature, the letters in this collection are more personal and filled with emotions. Daw Suu celebrates the struggles of ordinary people in Burma, as the country is referred to throughout the book, in their daily life following the 8888 Uprising that toppled the military government of General Ne Win in 1988 which was quickly followed by the transfer of power to military-led State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). She brings to attention the problems faced by underpaid civil servants and teachers, but she also has special places for Buddhist monks and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the political party she co-founded in 1988, which she mentions in various letters. There are special sections written about NLD members who died in custody while being detained as political prisoners, celebrating their courageous decisions and readiness to be detained for their cause.
I could see why the writings here could seem dry for some people. The style of her writings in Letters from Burma is similar in some respects to socialist realism, although the writings are by no means advocating socialism. Firstly, it’s typical, which means it attempts to bring the scenes of everyday life of the people, as could be seen from stories about electricity cut in Burma and celebration of various festivals throughout the year which the people are still able to enjoy despite the political repression they experience. Then, it’s also realistic, although how realistic it is could also be debatable, given Daw Suu herself provides commentary on the nature of repression she experienced as Orwellian in its nature but was still filled with temporary enjoyments. Finally, it also brings about some ideas of partisanship (or ‘discipline’ as the term is continuously used here), as many letters are dedicated to the ideals of the NLD and its cause, although it could also be seen in the context of the struggles for achieving multi-party democracy in Burma.
Nevertheless, I think the writings here would make a good introduction to Myanmar (Burma) in general, the life and values of her people, the struggles they have to face in everyday life, as well as the cause that the NLD has been trying to achieve to bring about multi-party democracy in the country. One could see the love of Daw Suu for her people and her country. Even though she shows criticisms towards the military government that has put her under house arrest and detained many NLD members, there is no open contempt as she even describes how she grew up surrounded by military officers who had struggled for Burma’s independence with her father, General Aung San. As in her previous book, there are some parts dedicated to the philosophy of Buddhism and how this philosophy influences her approach and outlook on everyday life. Certainly, life is not dull for dissidents in Burma.
Unlike her previous writings which I think are more objective and academic in their nature, the letters in this collection are more personal and filled with emotions. Daw Suu celebrates the struggles of ordinary people in Burma, as the country is referred to throughout the book, in their daily life following the 8888 Uprising that toppled the military government of General Ne Win in 1988 which was quickly followed by the transfer of power to military-led State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). She brings to attention the problems faced by underpaid civil servants and teachers, but she also has special places for Buddhist monks and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the political party she co-founded in 1988, which she mentions in various letters. There are special sections written about NLD members who died in custody while being detained as political prisoners, celebrating their courageous decisions and readiness to be detained for their cause.
I could see why the writings here could seem dry for some people. The style of her writings in Letters from Burma is similar in some respects to socialist realism, although the writings are by no means advocating socialism. Firstly, it’s typical, which means it attempts to bring the scenes of everyday life of the people, as could be seen from stories about electricity cut in Burma and celebration of various festivals throughout the year which the people are still able to enjoy despite the political repression they experience. Then, it’s also realistic, although how realistic it is could also be debatable, given Daw Suu herself provides commentary on the nature of repression she experienced as Orwellian in its nature but was still filled with temporary enjoyments. Finally, it also brings about some ideas of partisanship (or ‘discipline’ as the term is continuously used here), as many letters are dedicated to the ideals of the NLD and its cause, although it could also be seen in the context of the struggles for achieving multi-party democracy in Burma.
Nevertheless, I think the writings here would make a good introduction to Myanmar (Burma) in general, the life and values of her people, the struggles they have to face in everyday life, as well as the cause that the NLD has been trying to achieve to bring about multi-party democracy in the country. One could see the love of Daw Suu for her people and her country. Even though she shows criticisms towards the military government that has put her under house arrest and detained many NLD members, there is no open contempt as she even describes how she grew up surrounded by military officers who had struggled for Burma’s independence with her father, General Aung San. As in her previous book, there are some parts dedicated to the philosophy of Buddhism and how this philosophy influences her approach and outlook on everyday life. Certainly, life is not dull for dissidents in Burma.
informative
medium-paced
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
"When bathing in the rain was no longer one of the great pleasures of my existence, I knew I had left my childhood behind me."
"From where does man's passion for recording people and events spring? Did cave dwellers paint hunting scenes to pass an idle hour or was it fulfilment of an unconscious need to immortalize their deeds for posterity? "
This is Amazing stuff. I didn't know she was already married and settled in UK before she came to Myanmar and joined the struggle against military regim, to be house arrested for 21 years. The 52 once-a-week letters were written soon after begining of her house arrest and aren't as boring as you would expect a politician's writing to be. They are a bit like Nauru's writings -tracing bits of culture, traditions, rains history, day-to-day life under oppressive regime, struggle agunst same, income inequities, dances, music, her own house arrested life etc, never going into too many details at any one time. There is a chapter on tea, another on seasons, a few on festivals and so on.
Her own life and nature seems too simple for such a popular leader as she often talk about it - it includes worrying over water leaks during rains in her own home to reading a crime mystery novel on a free Sunday. Then, there is her love for poetry, children and flowers and a decent sense of humor. Talking about telephone connection problems:
"In Burma, one should approach the telephone with a prayer on the lips and determination to try, try and try again."
She has a charming way of making political rheotic more real. She would begin her letter with description of a child birth ceromony,reflect as to what babies so cute and only then go into high child morality rates.
About foreign investors:
"To observe businessmen who come to Burma with the intention of enriching themselves is somewhat like watching passers-by in an orchard roughly stripping off blossoms for their fragile beauty, blind to the ugliness of despoiled branches, oblivious of the
fact that by their action they are imperilling future fruitfulness and committing an injustice against the rightful owners of the trees."
And finally, a rather handy quote to remember these days:
"To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy."
challenging
informative
slow-paced
When I first mentioned I was reading this book, back in November, I think, I had two friends say "ew are you sure?" and "it's so sad what happened with her." Eventually I looked it up, and from there it was impossible to read this book without knowing what happened to her. If you're unaware, she eventually became president of Myanmar and then committed genocide against the Muslim population of that country.
This book is essentially 52 letters, written one a week, about whatever was on her mind as she was held prisoner in her own home. It is strong when it writes about holidays, Burmese culture, and meditation. However, most of the book is her talking about the need for democracy and how cruel the ruling party is to her party, arresting them without trials and keeping them locked in their own houses for years. And honestly, every time I came across one of these chapters where she talks about the need for democracy and how much better her party is than the socialist party, I wish I could reach through the screen of my kindle, slap her, and yell "you hypocrite!" She doesn't describe anything happening to her party under the socialists that is as bad as what she did when she came to power singing the praises of democracy.
Most of the book just made me angry and sad and I think there are probably better ways to learn about Burmese culture and holidays like wiki crawling or looking at anthropology papers. Honestly, I feel a little dirty for having read this book, which I only continued reading after I knew the truth because I said I'm going to read one book from every country and there is not a lot of literature coming out of Myanmar as far as I can tell. I probably could have done better if I had put a little more effort into looking for books but when I chose the book I saw only that she had won the nobel peace prize so I made certain assumptions, and those assumptions turned out to be very wrong.
Do as I say and not as I do, I know, but maybe give this one a pass and read Nelson Mandela's autobiography if you want a nobel lauriate who went on to become president of his nation and did things in a manner befitting that prize.
This book is essentially 52 letters, written one a week, about whatever was on her mind as she was held prisoner in her own home. It is strong when it writes about holidays, Burmese culture, and meditation. However, most of the book is her talking about the need for democracy and how cruel the ruling party is to her party, arresting them without trials and keeping them locked in their own houses for years. And honestly, every time I came across one of these chapters where she talks about the need for democracy and how much better her party is than the socialist party, I wish I could reach through the screen of my kindle, slap her, and yell "you hypocrite!" She doesn't describe anything happening to her party under the socialists that is as bad as what she did when she came to power singing the praises of democracy.
Most of the book just made me angry and sad and I think there are probably better ways to learn about Burmese culture and holidays like wiki crawling or looking at anthropology papers. Honestly, I feel a little dirty for having read this book, which I only continued reading after I knew the truth because I said I'm going to read one book from every country and there is not a lot of literature coming out of Myanmar as far as I can tell. I probably could have done better if I had put a little more effort into looking for books but when I chose the book I saw only that she had won the nobel peace prize so I made certain assumptions, and those assumptions turned out to be very wrong.
Do as I say and not as I do, I know, but maybe give this one a pass and read Nelson Mandela's autobiography if you want a nobel lauriate who went on to become president of his nation and did things in a manner befitting that prize.
Beautifully written collection of 3 page essays, each accompanied by a drawing, that illustrate the reality of living as a political activist in Burma. Somehow Aung San Suu Kyi managed to cover topics from British mystery novels to traditions to the mysterious deaths of political prisoners and other injustices she and others faced with just the right balance of interesting and pointed to make each topic equally captivating. I imagine she is exceptionally graceful in person and can see why she is admired by many.
Aung San Suu Kyi is now one of the most debatable personality on global stage. I read the book trying not to engage in judging but to learn a bit more about Myanmar, and I believe that this is appropriate read for exactly that. Book provides a peek into the political nightmare of Myanmar that could help to understand the current situation a bit, and it is also an illustration of Burmese traditions.
Letters from Burma is a wonderful collection of letters written by Aung San Suu Kyi about her experiences in Burma. Instead of solely focussing on the politics surrounding Burma and her house arrest, she writes about Burmese people, their culture, and their experiences in this tumultuous time. Her writing style evokes rich pictures of the Burmese country-side while still keeping its humble tone.
“Visitors to my country often speak of the friendliness, the hospitality and the sense of humour of the Burmese. Then they ask how it is possible that a brutal, humourless, authoritarian regime could have emerged from such apeople. A comprehensive answer to that question would involve a whole thesis but a short answer might be, one as writer has put it, that Burma is indeed one of those lands of charm and cruelty. I have found more warmth, more wholehearted love, more tenderness, more courage and more caring concern among my people as we hope together, suffer together and struggle together, anywhere else in the world. But those who exude hate and vindictiveness and rave about annihilating and crushing us are also Burmese, our own people”.
- By Aung San Suu Kuu Yi, Letters from Burma
.
.
Is it bad if i said that i actually enjoyed
her letters about burmese culture, buddhist teachings and her perceptive views about burmese in general more than her political works in National League for Democracy (NLD) ? - be it the way tea was done with condensed milk (just like other Southeast Asian Countries), How Monsoon season could be a blessing and a curse at the same time for us - too much rain, the flood will come, too little rain , the farm will not produce much, the water festivals (Thingyan) or even Union Day. I have no idea at all who is Aung San Suu Kyi aside from she’s the face of the Myanmar’s whenever Democracy were mentioned and she has been in and out of house arrest for as long as i can remember & undeniably, she has been through alot fighting for her own country. Here’s where the book gets tricky when you are reading the one that was published ages ago and the person writing it already goes against everything she stands for. (Cough *rohingya* Cough *genocide). But, I am reading Southeast Asia this year and despite her fell from grace, i believe what she has done for Myanmar’s journey to achieve democracy is admirable. She preached about human rights , the unfairness whenever ruling parties tried to charge her of inciting political unrest whenever there’s protest and rally and the abuse of power by the military. A series of poignant letters about her own country - It can be about cultural activities, political treatment/acts and even tradition/religion that practiced by Burmese in places that she did visit. Illustrations done by Heinn Htet - is certainly gorgeous and you almost can see how captivating Myanmar is with the way Aung San Suu Kyi penned her thoughts on these letters. Overall, i would say it gave you a good overview of ‘Myanmar’ - Brief but done in tasteful manner. However, if you want a detailed history of the country, I am not sure this is the book you should go for.
- By Aung San Suu Kuu Yi, Letters from Burma
.
.
Is it bad if i said that i actually enjoyed
her letters about burmese culture, buddhist teachings and her perceptive views about burmese in general more than her political works in National League for Democracy (NLD) ? - be it the way tea was done with condensed milk (just like other Southeast Asian Countries), How Monsoon season could be a blessing and a curse at the same time for us - too much rain, the flood will come, too little rain , the farm will not produce much, the water festivals (Thingyan) or even Union Day. I have no idea at all who is Aung San Suu Kyi aside from she’s the face of the Myanmar’s whenever Democracy were mentioned and she has been in and out of house arrest for as long as i can remember & undeniably, she has been through alot fighting for her own country. Here’s where the book gets tricky when you are reading the one that was published ages ago and the person writing it already goes against everything she stands for. (Cough *rohingya* Cough *genocide). But, I am reading Southeast Asia this year and despite her fell from grace, i believe what she has done for Myanmar’s journey to achieve democracy is admirable. She preached about human rights , the unfairness whenever ruling parties tried to charge her of inciting political unrest whenever there’s protest and rally and the abuse of power by the military. A series of poignant letters about her own country - It can be about cultural activities, political treatment/acts and even tradition/religion that practiced by Burmese in places that she did visit. Illustrations done by Heinn Htet - is certainly gorgeous and you almost can see how captivating Myanmar is with the way Aung San Suu Kyi penned her thoughts on these letters. Overall, i would say it gave you a good overview of ‘Myanmar’ - Brief but done in tasteful manner. However, if you want a detailed history of the country, I am not sure this is the book you should go for.
These letters appear to be so simply written, and the style is clear, gentle, conversational. Yet the author's steely determination shines through. Although the subject is Burma, the message is universal. There is plenty here to provoke and uplift regardless of time and place.