This novel is more gut-wrenching than I expected, and I have taught Karen refugees and other Burmese immigrants. I came into the book with some idea of the Karen experience, but little knowledge of Burmese history as a whole. I liked the character development although I didn't understand the directions some of the characters took. I hope that the saddest parts weren't Charmaine Craig's true family history. My heart broke again and again for Khin, Benny, and their family members as they tried to navigate and survive under such cruel circumstances. Khin and Benny's misunderstandings and inability to forgive each other for their weaknesses, failures, and need to seek comfort outside their marriage in impossible times was so tragic. When I see my former students post family photos at church, fishing, playing music, and other happy, relaxing times in the United States, I will be more grateful than ever that they have those opportunities. Four stars with five buckets of tears. I wish that we could see justice and peace for the minorities of Burma. Yet is seems no closer. The betrayal by the British and American governments is absolutely infuriating.

2.5

Good enough. The book was an easy read and drew me in quickly. It was my first exposure to the intricacies of Burmese history and the different ethnic groups in Myanmar. I wouldn't necessarily call it an outstanding read, however.

3.5 stories, really. I rounded up. It was a great look at the history of Burma in the '40s and '50s and I learned lots about the country. Some of the characters were really interesting, and the thought of putting a child into a beauty pageant as a political act was intriguing. But I just didn't think that the writing was that skillful. It didn't find the right balance between the characters' stories, and the history. And the characters were not as well drawn as they should have been.

Amazing book!

Craig explores the fascinating accounts of her mother's and maternal grandparents' activities during Myanmar's civil war. Her grandfather is a Jewish entrepreneur who becomes intertwined with the Karen people and their conflict with the Burmese government. Her grandmother is a Karen woman who shows remarkable strength in keeping their four children safe throughout the tumultuous transitions from colonialism to independence to war, her husband's imprisonment, and countless other challenges. Craig's portrait of their marriage--one where they had no shared language for the first year--is a fascinating look at infatuation and loneliness.

While I appreciated learning more about Myanmar's culture and the role of outside colonialism and military force in the ongoing conflicts there, the book had some exposition problems. A lot of dialogue between characters sounded more like a history lecture than actual conversation between friends and acquaintances. Similarly, there were challenges with the pacing. In the beginning, multiple chapters would cover harrowing journeys between cities; toward the end, a single paragraph would mark the passage of a decade.

I also felt that Craig's mother, Louisa, the titular Miss Burma--a beauty queen who wound up playing a key role in the Karen nationalist cause, was not as well developed as her parents. So much of the book focused on her childhood and showed Louisa through her parents' eyes, that her autonomy as a character felt somewhat sudden. Much more time is spent on the ideas and expectations that are projected on her, rather than her inner life.

Overall, it's a fascinating story, but I left it wanting more.

Probably more like 4.5 stars. Really well done multigenerational novel set in a complex setting with religious, political, and social drama.