A Prayer for Burma [Paperback]

Kenneth Wong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Returning to his native Burma-a country fraught with political upheaval and laden with superstition-Burmese American Kenneth Wong faced the cultural specters of his own past and the spirit of a land trapped in time. Sealed off from the outside world, first by an oppressive military regime's isolationism and then by economic sanctions, Burma lives on like a lingering ghost of its colonial past. This beautiful and intriguing country is revealed through the eyes of an expatriate battling his conflicting national, cultural, ideological, ancestral, and ethnic identities. In the tradition of George Orwell, W. Somerset Maugham, and Paul Theroux, Wong portrays Burma as an exotic place that invites, frightens, teases, and haunts citizens and visitors alike with its unique mixture of ill-kept Edwardian structures, pockmarked English mansions, and glittering Buddhist temples. The courage, humor, and perseverance of the Burmese people and their endearing yet mysterious way of life are revealed in this moving account of a man rediscovering his culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential reading for anyone interested in this fascinating country, its people, and their ongoing 'revolution of the spirit.'" -- Alan Clements, author of The Voice of Hope

"In witty and enlightening prose, Wong shines a light on a country filled with [people of] courage and grace." -- Zarni, founder of the Free Burma Coalition

About the Author

Kenneth Wong grew up in Rangoon, Burma, and moved to America at the age of 21. He is an editor at Cadence magazine. He lives in San Francisco, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Santa Monica Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891661280
• ISBN-13: 978-1891661280
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,863,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening first person account, January 17, 2005

By 

hh "hh01" (West Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Prayer for Burma (Paperback)

A Prayer for Burma is the account of a Burmese-American who travels back to Burma (now Myanmar). In the opening, he says, " . . . returning to my motherland, just as an estranged son would to the mother he left behind, I hoped to get a better understanding of this colorful cultural mandala that was" part "of my identity." He then takes us along on his fascinating travels, sharing what he sees, what he thinks and what he feels. While this description might sound fairly direct and simple, the process and product are anything but. The author struggles to understand what any foreigner might, but he also struggles to settle feelings that only a foreigner who looks like the locals might need to do. And he willingly opens himself through his honest writing so that we benefit from his struggles, his defeats and his triumphs. Having just returned from Myanmar I can say that many of his insights still seemed valid in late 2004 and proved helpful during my trip. The scare about the planes, however, is somewhat dated, though I'd still stick with the private airlines (the government airline does tend to slam into the ground a bit too often). One thing to keep in mind while reading the book is that there is no such thing as The Burmese. The experience of different tribes can be vastly different. Hence, don't generalize beyond what is written about any particular person. Yes, everyone wants more freedom, but the most oppressed groups have it harder, see fewer opportunities and are likely to give very different responses when asked about things.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless Prose, April 21, 2003

By 

"arnacello" (San Marcos, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Prayer for Burma (Paperback)

Even if you have no interest whatsoever in Burma, you still need to read this book. This is a book for people who love beautiful writing. It's about exploring personal identity; it's about culture, about being human, about revisitng and reflecting on one's past, on roots, on time and on what it means to exist on this complex planet of ours.

But if you do have an interest in Burma, then you'll get quite a bonus with this book. Mr. Wong takes you with him as he walks the street's of today's Rangoon gone modern and reflects on the Rangoon gone mad of the 80s and the movement for democracy.

Employing a rapier wit and self-deprecating humor throughout, Mr. Wong will have you laughing and yet realizing at the same time the poignant sadness of the kalaidescopic Burmese culture--sad, beautiful, joyful, and endearing all at the same time. A Prayer for Burma is a sensitive, extended essay on what it means to be multicultural, intelligent, and human.

Read it; you'll be glad you did.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read, May 21, 2003

By 

Chris Bain (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Prayer for Burma (Paperback)

This is a very engaging book, full of lots of quirky humor and insights into Burma as it is now. The author's role as an expat returning to Burma as a visitor give him a rare perspective, understanding local culture and language, yet feeling an outsider and being treated as one. It is more up to date than most literature on Burma, being based on visits during the last 2-3 years. Highly recommended.