Miss Burma

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I learned a lot about Burma and the author's family is really interesting. The prose is often over written, which can make the book a bit of a slog to get through. There are endless description of every facial expression and thought. The real problem (and the reason for the 3 stars) is that there is no ending. You spend hundreds of pages with these people and then...nothing. It just ends. Not even an epilogue to explain what happened to these people that you've learned so much about and grew to care about. This is my first Amazon review and the reason I decided to add my two cents to the conversation is because of my frustration at the lack of an ending.

This is a fascinating story about the early life of Louisa Benson Craig during the immediate aftermath of WWII in Burma. While the story appears to have been partially fictionalized, the details ring true and are clearly based on in-depth interviews with the principal persons in the story. It is a sad story, but also a story with redemption.Another reviewer bemoaned the abrupt conclusion of the story without even a postscript. I didn't quite read it that way, though I can see where the reviewer was coming from. From my perspective, the story ended when Louisa stopped being "Miss Burma", and that seemed an appropriate stopping place. For people who are interested in a postscript, I would refer you to Louisa Benson Craig's Wikipedia entry.

This is a novel that fills in the blanks that the Burmese Government does not want to be known. This is both a love story and a historical novel intertwining the love of a young Karen lady and a Jewish businessman in Burma following WWII. I knew their daughtrer,Lousia Bensen Craig, a key actor in this novel. In real life, she was even more than displayed in the novel. She was a beauty queen who first married a Karen commander and then a former US Naval Officer. She attracted the attention of General Ne Win after appearing in several films. Her first husband was a real-life charismatic warrior who was captured and beheaded by the Burma Army. Louisa assumed command of her husband's battalion and was recognized as both a beautiful woman but also an expert marksman. This novel, by Lousia's daughter, is very close to real history. A great read!

I didn't know anything about Burma, other than what I saw and read in the news media. The unspeakable horrors and suffering of the Burmese people have gone on much longer than I realized. Charming Craig did a wonderful job of portraying the relationships, experiences and emotions of the characters. Even though this was a fictionalized account of her family's lives, I wish she had used the actual names of the historical figures because I always love using my Kindle to learn more about historical characters as i read the story.

I wish I had read the author' notes before I read the book. During my reading I missed more detailed descriptions of Rangoon and Burma, not realizing this was written by the mother of "Miss Burma". As a story of her life - and her grandparents during these tragic years of Burma's history from before WWII to the 1950's it is a moving narrative and very illuminating about the social and political problems of this country, so rich in history and cultural variety, and so burdened with British and American politics mixing with their own troubles. Really a fascinating glimpse of this time in Burma's history.

Such a relief to get to the end of this book. I understand a lot more about the politics and conflict in Burma but to be immersed in this marriage and family was a torment. Two people who marry without a common language or culture making assumptions about the others thoughts and behaviors. It was hard to have any empathy for anyone. It is based on the story of the author's mother.

This is the best read so far this year. It is a family epic which opens a world of culture and lessons of history , which in itself is worth while to pick up this book. But above all it describes delicately the complex ties that bind us, of everyone’s inert search for belonging in this world, which sometimes comes at a great cost. It is also a love story of a family that endures the hardship of wars, ethnic differences and comes out of it broken, but with such aching dignity.

It was an interesting read since I did not know much about the war in Burma. But not a fast read and I got bogged down after a while. Would only recommend it to someone who wants to know more about the history of Burma.

I find it hard to be critical of authors after all they have sweated hard to get their novel into publication. Not to mention the time spent writing it. For me, this is a decent enough read if at times a little long-winded. I spent some time working out in Burma, and as such became intrigued with the countries history. So having read quite a few books on Burma.I decided to try this the story does tend to meander a little at times, the characters are believable to the point where the actions of some of them really make you feel for those who are on the receiving end of those actions. I am not expecting a historical novel to read like a thriller, but this somehow did not catch me say like Gone with the Wind, both books are not dissimilar with the historical and love element in them. I have given the book four stars. I did think of three for my time invested in reading it, but on reflection four I thought fair.

Charlemagne Craig writes with knowledge and sensitivity of the country's people. It is raw and pulls no punches as the vision of democracy unfolds. All the character's are totally believable and I became wrapped up in the story. I would recommend it to all who enjoy travel and who have a genuine interest in history.

what a heartfelt and emotive book. such wonderful storyline with damaged characters just trying to survive against huge odds and against violent opponents determined to exterminate an entire race of people. i cried got angry and cried again.

This book is very interesting in terms of what has happened in Burma/Myanmar during and since WW2. The story covers one particular family and what happened to it. This relates very closely to events in Burma and how people have been affected. The characters’ love stories are woven throughout to link with the events that are going on at the time.the story.

Excellent story from someone who has researched what happened in Burma after the Pacific War. Provides good insights into today's troubles in Burma (Myanmar)