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Inge Sargent
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Twilight over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess (Kolowalu Books (Paperback)) Paperback – August 1, 1994

by Inge Sargent (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 215 ratings
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Just married and returning to live in her new husband's native land, a young Austrian woman arrived with her Burmese husband by passenger ship in Rangoon in 1953. They were met at dockside by hundreds of well-wishers displaying colorful banners, playing music on homemade instruments, and carrying giant bouquets of flowers. She was puzzled by this unusual welcome until her embarrassed husband explained that he was something more than a recently graduated mining engineer - he was the Prince of Hsipaw, the ruler of an autonomous state in Burma's Shan mountains. And these people were his subjects!

She immersed herself in the Shan lifestyle, eagerly learning the language, the culture, and the history of the Shan hill people. The Princess of Hsipaw fell in love with this remote, exotic land and its warm and friendly people. She worked at her husband's side to bring change and modernization to their primitive country. Her efforts to improve the education and health care of the country, and her husband's commitment to improve the economic well-being of the people made them one of the most popular ruling couples in Southeast Asia. Then the violent military coup of 1962 shattered the idyllic existence of the previous ten years. Her life irrevocably changed. Inge Sargent tells a story of a life most of us can only dream about. She vividly describes the social, religious, and political events she experienced. She details the day-to-day living as a "reluctant ruler" and her role as her husband's equal - a role that perplexed the males in Hsipaw and created awe in the females. And then she describes the military events that threatened her life and that of her children.

Twilight over Burma is a story of a great happiness destroyed by evil, of one woman's determination and bravery against a ruthless military regime, and of the truth behind the overthrow of one of Burma's most popular local leaders.

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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kolowalu Books
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 1994
  5. Dimensions
    5.66 x 0.62 x 8.37 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780824816285
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0824816285
  8. Lexile measure
    1070L
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sargent's sad, exotic story survives her deeply flawed telling of it, but she would have been better advised to stick with a straightforward memoir. While at school in Colorado in the early '50s, the Austrian-born author met and married fellow student Sao Kya Seng. Because he wanted a wife who would marry him "for the right reasons," Sao chose not to tell Inge he was prince of Hsipaw, one of 34 independent Shan states in northeastern Burma (although the convertible Nash Rambler and the ruby-and-diamond engagement ring might have tipped her off.) For eight years the couple presided over the modernization of their small state, sadly unaware of the weak poltical leadership plaguing Burma since the 1947 assassination of General Aung San (father of jailed Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi). Then in 1962, General Ne Win seized power and Sao disappeared. Shadowed by Ne Win's men, Sargent waited desperately for news of her husband, until two years later friends convinced her to escape to Austria. Sargent's descriptions of life in the small, tropical state and of her machinations to smuggle out her daughters (both Burmese citizens) are strong enough to withstand her unconvincing re-creation of decades-old dialogue (even extensive sections on the vanished Sao's unknowable last thoughts) and the near-fatal decision to write in third person. Much of the book smacks of writing school exercises and the gutsy author often seems self-indulgent in descriptions of herself: "this attractive and unusual girl had constantly been on his mind. Her warmth, her cheerfulness, and her poise made him long for her company."
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

In a stirring tribute to a remarkable man and a gripping tale from beginning to end, Sargent reflects back on her loving, cross-cultural marriage to the prince of Hsipaw.... A touching memoir that would read like a fairy tale were it not for the unfortunate ending. ― Booklist

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0824816285
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kolowalu Books (August 1, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780824816285
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0824816285
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1070L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.66 x 0.62 x 8.37 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 215 ratings

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Inge Sargent

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
215 global ratings

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Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They appreciate the history and true-life story.

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ReadabilityHistory
14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's readability. They found it engaging and a quick read, making a real impression.

"...A good read, esp. if you have traveled to Burma or plan to do so." Read more

"...She was well loved in Boulder, CO. Good reading" Read more

"...are interested in the country or plan to travel there, it is a worthwhile read!" Read more

"...The book is very interesting, I could not put it down. I highly recommend it." Read more

13 customers mention "History"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's history. They find the story sensitive and interesting, with vivid descriptions of royal life and life in Burma. The descriptions help readers understand the country and appreciate the depiction of life in the countryside.

"...This one is excellent for its depiction of life in the countryside there, which hasn't changed much, from what I can tell...." Read more

"...Her descriptions of life in Burma are vivid, interesting and very informative. I found the book was a fast read...." Read more

"...The autobiography, told in third person by Inge, richly describes the royal life and Inge's adjustment to it as she learns the traditions of the..." Read more

"...thought it was a very delightful book and could see how it contained a lot of history. I was in the north of Burma near the Shan state" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Michele
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true love story... also an engaging, if sad, testimony to Burma's tragic past
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I traveled to Burma last year and read several books on the country during and after my trip. This one is excellent for its depiction of life in the countryside there, which hasn't changed much, from what I can tell. It is also a bittersweet personal memoir. Indeed, it felt a little awkward reading of Sao's final experiences and thoughts, knowing that the author didn't know what they were. Nonetheless, the writing is lovely and true... the author has no agenda other than to tell her story. Her love for the Shan people and for her husband really comes through. A good read, esp. if you have traveled to Burma or plan to do so.
    One person found this helpful
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  • dennis c jackson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story about a lady who was my daughter's German teacher
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is an interesting story about a lady from Vienna who married a Burmese Princess and lived through the revolution in Burma. Her descriptions of life in Burma are vivid, interesting and very informative. I found the book was a fast read. Her release by the military government finally led to her return to Vienna and then t the United States where she taught German in Fairview High School for many years. In fact my daughter studied German with her. She was well loved in Boulder, CO. Good reading
    One person found this helpful
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  • Em Perdue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    "Twilight over Burma is more than a story of a prince marrying a foreigner although it is that, too. Sao, the ruling prince of a Shan state in Burma, meets Inge, an Austrian, while they are both studying in Colorado. It's like a fairy tale when they fall in love, marry and leave for Burma. Only when they are ready to disembark in Rangoon does he reveal his princely position. The autobiography, told in third person by Inge, richly describes the royal life and Inge's adjustment to it as she learns the traditions of the Shan people. The fairy tale life ends abruptly after ten years when a military coup installs a corrupt, evil regime. Inge refuses to be cowed by the corrupt government after her husband is imprisoned and keeps trying to find where he is. I'm guessing the author uses the third person because several short chapters are about Sao and his conditions and experiences in prison. She would have no way of knowing these details. Tenacity lasting two years as Inge hopes and searches for answers about the fate of her prince shows her extreme daring and determination. I would love reading a book about the rest of her life. The once-grand home in East Haw still stands today. Just last week I read an article by a journalist who went there and found it. The photo of the now sadly-neglected home looked much like the photo in the book as it once was. Fifty years of the repressive government have taken its toll on all of Burma just as it did on the family so beautifully described in Twilight over Burma."
    5 people found this helpful
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  • B. Werren
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read while I was in Burma
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    It is the story about one of the many non-Burmese tribes who live in Burma, the Shan. The book is written from the view of a third person, but I believe the author was telling her own story - a bit confusing. But if you are interested in the country or plan to travel there, it is a worthwhile read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • J. C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I love the pictures. Just an amazing story. It's very interesting how an Austrian girl became a Shan princess. She and her husband tried to help the Shan people. Alas that was not to be. The poor Shan people, I would like to read more about their fate. The book is very interesting, I could not put it down. I highly recommend it.
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  • Kindle Customer Carol Schweitzer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Twilight t over Burma
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I was reading this in Burma and thought it was a very delightful book and could see how it contained a lot of history. I was in the north of Burma near the Shan state
    One person found this helpful
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  • Traveller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Travelling to Burma? Then read this.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The life of the last Shan princess. What could be more romantic? And then you realise how topical the disappearance of her husband is. And how brave the present incumbent of the palace is to insist on opening to foreigners every afternoon. Read the book, visit the palace while you are in Hsipaw and take the lovely lady who will shows it to you some romantic novels or any other books you have with you. Yes really. The regime won't let her receive parcels.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • R. Thorne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Tragedy
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is a terrific history of Frau Sargent's experience in Burma. She truly did get to live a fairy tale - for a little while anyway.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ipanema
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading
    Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A poignant personal account of the beauty and tragedy of Burma.
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  • Ei Ei Phyo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in Japan on May 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    So proud of Shan people in Myanmar Country.🇲🇲🇲🇲🇲🇲
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  • Ch. Sch.
    5.0 out of 5 stars interessante
    Reviewed in Italy on January 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Non conoscevo per niente la storia del Burma ed è stato molto interessante sapere di più attraverso il racconto di Inge Sargent.
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  • Bücher-Grizzly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein spannender Einblick in das alte Burma
    Reviewed in Germany on November 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Was ein wunderbares Buch! Für die ersten Seiten hab ich etwas gebraucht, aber dann war ich schnell gefesselt von dieser spannenden Geschichte. Ich hab das Buch im Urlaub in Myanmar gelesen und es verschaffte mir einen neuen Blickwinkel auf Land und Leute. Kann ich nur empfehlen.
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  • Miau
    4.0 out of 5 stars Conto de fadas com final infeliz
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    História real sobre casamento de uma austríaca com um príncipe de um estado Shan, na Burma pré-ditadura militar de esquerda.
    Conta a vida perfeita da família no período anterior ao golpe, daí o conto de fadas. E depois a angustia pessoal dela com o período pós-golpe.
    Não vou contar mais para não virar um "spoiler", mas vale a leitura para entender um pouco sobre a história de Myanmar e sob um ponto de vista diferente. Não entra em detalhes sobre as atrocidades do regime contra o povo; dá uma visão mais pessoal e particular.
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