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hanntastic's review
3.0
Global Read 125: Myanmar/Burma
I'm glad I read this book because it introduced me to the fascinating tradition of nat kadaws and Nats and the festivals. It was also fascinating how this could exist so publicly in a country with draconian laws against LGBT people. The book was incredibly jumbled, going from perspective to perspective which I didn't love. It also felt kind of disdainful of Daisy. It was also hard not to read it with my own Western preconceptions, it was hard to read Daisy's pronouns as male when Daisy clearly described themselves a female.
I'm glad I read this book because it introduced me to the fascinating tradition of nat kadaws and Nats and the festivals. It was also fascinating how this could exist so publicly in a country with draconian laws against LGBT people. The book was incredibly jumbled, going from perspective to perspective which I didn't love. It also felt kind of disdainful of Daisy. It was also hard not to read it with my own Western preconceptions, it was hard to read Daisy's pronouns as male when Daisy clearly described themselves a female.
aubreystapp's review
3.0
Wow, what an... unusual culture. The book didn't exactly have a plot, didn't really keep my interest that well (which is why it took so long to finish), but it had enough interesting cultural tidbits that I stuck with it. Worth the read, but I definitely will never read it again. Unless I'm going to Burma/Myanmar.
adelicatereader's review
5.0
To someone who knows little about Burmese culture, this was a tough but very enlightening read. Nu Nu Yi writes with a style that is unique and riveting, it is no wonder she is the first writer from Burma to win an international award. The subject matter is obviously delicate. It is the main reason why this novel has been banned for more than a decade by the government. To have this published now in Nu Nu Yi’s home country and abroad is a victorious ode to the rendering visible of queer experiences.
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stacialithub's review
3.0
Wow. This story opened my eyes to an entire culture that I really didn't know existed (the natkadaws or spirit mediums/spirit wives at festivals in Myanmar). I was also surprised to learn that many of the natkadaws are gay men who openly dress as women, which is something I would have expected to have been illegal (or at least very dangerous) in a conservative society like Myanmar. Even though the story is fiction, a lot of the details seem to be very accurate (based on some additional reading I did spurred on by this story).
The story itself is fairly simplistic & not only revolves around the natkadaw Daisy Bond, but also his love for his assistant/helper Min Min. But then Min Min has his heart stolen by a girl visiting the festival. So part of it is cultural tale, part an unrequited love story. Daisy is one fiery, feisty, & flamboyant character, which keeps the story rolling along at a quick pace.
If you are interested in learning more about natkadaws, here are some of the resources I read or watched:
A 10-minute 'preview' clip from the documentary Friends in High Places. (Click "watch a preview".)
A 1.5 hour documentary on YouTube that covers the festival in Taungbyon.
An article from Guernica: After the Green Death.
A stage drama adaptation of the book.
The story itself is fairly simplistic & not only revolves around the natkadaw Daisy Bond, but also his love for his assistant/helper Min Min. But then Min Min has his heart stolen by a girl visiting the festival. So part of it is cultural tale, part an unrequited love story. Daisy is one fiery, feisty, & flamboyant character, which keeps the story rolling along at a quick pace.
If you are interested in learning more about natkadaws, here are some of the resources I read or watched:
A 10-minute 'preview' clip from the documentary Friends in High Places. (Click "watch a preview".)
A 1.5 hour documentary on YouTube that covers the festival in Taungbyon.
An article from Guernica: After the Green Death.
A stage drama adaptation of the book.
morebedsidebooks's review
reflective
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Transphobia, Cursing, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, Abandonment, Confinement, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Police brutality
mslaura's review
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
courtney_mcallister's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I appreciate the socio-historical significance of Smile as They Bow. It's a unique work in several respects, including its Burmese origins and subject matter. I enjoyed the early sections that switch between the points of view of various festival attendees. It was kind of a mosaic novel in those segments. The plot eventually settles onto Daisy Bond, who channels nats (spirits). Unfortunately, even though the narrative transitions to a supposedly more focused exploration of Daisy, I never felt it build in complexity. At the end of the novel, my understanding was still very superficial. Granted, that may be the product of several factors, including the translation process and the fact that Nu Nu Yi was trying to navigate the pressures of censorship. I would not be surprised if the original text has more nuanced subtext and artistry.
midnightyellows's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
melias6's review
3.0
One of the 170+ books read by Ann Morgan as a part of her year of reading a novel from every country, Smile As They Bow was her Myanmar pick by Nu Nu Yi. This was also allegedly one of her favorites, which makes sense given the novel’s rich, evocative account of a traditional festival unique to Burmese culture. Beyond that it can feel somewhat slight (and, according to some Yi fans, not as politically charged as some of her other works), but this certainly fits the bill for readers seeking exposure to world literature from an author and country that’s rarely in the conversation.