In these unforgettable letters, Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world's most inspiring figures, reaches out beyond Burma's borders to paint a vivid and poignant picture of her native land. She celebrates the courageous army officers, academics, and everyday people who have supported the National League for Democracy, often at great risk to their own lives. She reveals how state oppression has adversely affected everything from the national diet to traditions of hospitality. She also evokes the beauty of the country's seasons and scenery, customs and fetivities, which remain-after everything-so close to her heart.
Letters From Burma
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Original Language: Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader if the struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma. Born in 1945 as the daughter of Burma's national hero Aung San she was two years old when he was assasinated, just before Burma gained the independence to which he has dedicated his life. After receiving her education in Rangoon, Delhi, and at Oxford University, Aung San Suu Kyi then worked for the United Nations in New York and Bhutan. For most of the following twenty years, she was occupied raising a familty in England (her husband is British), before returning to Burma in 1988 to care for her dying mother. Her return coincided with the outbreak of a spontaneous revolt against 26 years of political repression and economic decline. Aung San Suu Kyi quickly emerged as the most effective and articulate leader of the movement, and the party she founded went on to win a collossal electoral victory in May 1990. In July 1989 she was put under house arrest and the military junta that now rules Burma refused for six years either to free her or to transfer power to a civilian government as it had promised. Upon her release in July 1995, she immediately resumed the struggle for political freedom in her country.
Aung San Suu Kyi is an honorary fellow at St. Hugh's College, Oxford. In 1990 she was awarded the Thorolf Rafto Prize for Human Rights in Norway and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament. In its citation, the Norwegian Nobel Committee atated that in awarding the prize to Aung San Suu Kyi, it wished to honor this woman for her unflagging efforts and to show its support for the many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is not just a book. Along with Aung San Suu Kyi's two other major books ("Freedom from Fear" and "Voice of Hope"), this book is destined to be at the heart of the struggle - and eventually the victory - for democracy in Burma. Among the three, this is the one I found most wonderful. Vivid, direct, it makes the reader feel as if she/he is listening to Suu Kyi, with her wonderful Asian voice and Oxford accent. Suu Kyi talks about Burma, about her people, about herself. She tells of the tragedies of her people, in the most natural and serene way, as if she were telling of everyday life - because indeed, this is the Burmese everyday life. She does not inflate things, she does not push for her views, yet she reaches the reader's heart immediately - at least she did with me ! She simply expresses views and feelings along with plenty of thrilling facts and anecdotes. I can't imagine of any reader who won't love this book and won't feel inspired by this account from Burma's heroine. After reading this and the other books, I felt so close to Burma's struggle that I absoliutely had to go there and meet Suu in person. So I did, I took off for Burma and managed to meet her. I had met many world personalities before, but this was truly a unique event in my life. The pages of the book kept coming back to my mind, as I could finally see the source of all that strength and hope, the incarnation of Burma's struggle. In the end I was deported from Burma for having made contact with her. Now these books are my inspiration to keep fighting on for democracy in Burma in all ways I can.
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A. Klein
Format:Paperback
This is a collection of 52 essays that Aung San Suu Kyi had written in the mid 1990's for a Japanese newspaper. She discusses a full range of topics including politics, religion, and the daily life of the Burmese people as seen through the eyes of the country's biggest proponent of democracy.
Her tales are fascinating and well written. They offer a glimpse into the world of an almost Orwellian regime and can peak the interest of readers unfamiliar with Burma's current state of unrest.
As a recent traveller to Burma, I was looking for more detail into Burma's history and details surrounding the nullified election in 1990. Though these issues are touched upon, each essay is a mere 2.5 page newspaper article which does not lend itself to such depth. It is however a fascinating read and a great introduction to Burma's struggle for democracy.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Debby Ng
Format:Paperback
An eloquently written piece that will be finished in a few sittings, Suu Kyi's Letters from Burma is a collection of short essays she submitted to the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shinbun.
It is likely that because it has been written for a mass audience, you will find 'Letters from Burma' easier to digest than her other books, Freedom from Fear and Voice of Hope.
A remarkable politician, she examines Burma through its common people and the everyday lives that are led. As with all of Suu Kyi's books, she takes care to not forget why her party is fighting for democracy - its people.
She discusses Burmese politics sans the jargon, allowing this book to be appreciated by everyone, even if new to the situation in Burma.
She included in her writings, several wonderful quotes from English, Japanese and Burmese poems, reflecting her regard of the arts. The title 'Letters from Burma' more than merely states the intention of each of the 52 entries in this book. Her entries are personal, light-hearted, frustrated, or balanced. They are addressed to the reader, bringing him/her into the world of Burma, and seeing it as it is for a lay person.
She has managed to make getting aquainted with politics so beautiful and enjoyable, through which i suppose she nurtures the concern and interest in matters of her state, that you are likely to re-read certain entries, if not the whole book again once you're through it.
It is likely that because it has been written for a mass audience, you will find 'Letters from Burma' easier to digest than her other books, Freedom from Fear and Voice of Hope.
A remarkable politician, she examines Burma through its common people and the everyday lives that are led. As with all of Suu Kyi's books, she takes care to not forget why her party is fighting for democracy - its people.
She discusses Burmese politics sans the jargon, allowing this book to be appreciated by everyone, even if new to the situation in Burma.
She included in her writings, several wonderful quotes from English, Japanese and Burmese poems, reflecting her regard of the arts. The title 'Letters from Burma' more than merely states the intention of each of the 52 entries in this book. Her entries are personal, light-hearted, frustrated, or balanced. They are addressed to the reader, bringing him/her into the world of Burma, and seeing it as it is for a lay person.
She has managed to make getting aquainted with politics so beautiful and enjoyable, through which i suppose she nurtures the concern and interest in matters of her state, that you are likely to re-read certain entries, if not the whole book again once you're through it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
infused with love
Written during a time of great personal stress, this collection is infused with love of country and respect for Burma's ancient culture. Read more
Published 1 month ago by marion rose
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Soul, Brave Heart
Aung San Suu Kyi is a wonderful writer and illustrates in simple and poetic language the incredible sacrifices, including death, the people of Burma are making for democracy. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gea
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful commentaries on many aspects of life in Burma in the 1990s
Each letter captures an image of life for Daw Suu. She observes, participates in and comments upon politics, religion, festivals, her political party, food, friendships, and life... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Vivian Finlay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't keep my interest
I read a few chapters, but couldn't keep my interest - the story is intriguing, perhaps in another book. Not my favorite.
Published 2 months ago by Hedva Haymov
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
Fascinating. Amazing woman, so interesting to read her thoughts; so wise. She deserved her freedom and her Nobel Peace Prize.
Published 3 months ago by enid michelman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Letters from Burma
I wanted to read something by Suti. However, having read a few chapters I satisfied my curiosity, and the rest was not that interesting.
Published 3 months ago by Jiri
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little bit frivolous
Although Letters from Burma may fill some necessary role in the library of social justice fighter literature, readers will do well to understand that the role leans more toward the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Davey Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bittersweet essays
I admire Aung San Suu kyi, and read many of the recent biographies written on this inspiring iron lady. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
It was very informative and descriptive. One could really feel the culture, customs, and atmosphere of Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi gives very detailed accounts of Burma
Published 4 months ago by Howard Witherspoon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suu Kyi's writings
Have wanted to read her thoughts and messages. This book was received as described, well packed and quickly. Very interesting reading.
Published 5 months ago by RH
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