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Twilight over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess (Kolowalu Books
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.
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.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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About the author
Inge Sargent
4 books9 followersInge Sargent (born Inge Eberhard) was an Austrian and American author, human-rights activist, and founder of social organizations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 19, 2012
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.
June 10, 2015
เป็นนิยายอิงประวัติศาตร์พม่า ซึ่งเอาจริงๆแล้วเราค่อยข้างจะข้ามส่วนของประวัติศาตร์ไป เพื่อที่จะติดตามในส่วนของเนื้อหานิยายที่เป็นเรื่องราวชีวิตอันแสนเหลือเชื่อของผู้เขียนนั้นเอง...
เมื่อสาวสามัญชนชาวตะวันออกได้เป็นซินเดอเรลล่า เธอมารู้ในภายหลังว่าชายที่ตัดสินใจร่วมชีวิตด้วย เป็นถึงเจ้าฟ้าผู้ครองเมืองในรัฐแห่งหนึ่งของพม่า...เจ้าฟ้าแห่งรัฐฉาน
หากแต่นางซินฉบับนี้เต็มไปด้วยอุปสรรคนานับประการ นอกจากต้องปรับตัวให้เข้ากับวัฒนธรรม ภาษา ความเป็นอยู่ของคนท้องถิ่น ไหนจะภาระใหม่ของฐานะทางสังคม ซึ่งความรักที่เธอมีต่อพระสวามีเท่านั้นที่ช่วยให้ฝ่าฟันเอาชนะทุกอย่างไปได้
แต่แผ่นดินนี้ไม่มีทางยอมให้ชีวิตของใครดำเนินไปได้อย่างที่ควรจะเป็น ความโลภและอำนาจของสภาพบ้านเมืองพรากความรักของเธอและเขาไป ทิ้งให้ใครบางคนต้องต่อสู้อย่างเดียวดาย...
จริงๆไม่รู้สึกบีบอารมณ์อะไรกับภาษาการแปล หรือวิธีการเรียบเรียงเนื้อหาของผู้เขียนเลย แต่สะเทือนใจมากกว่าเมื่อเรารับรู้ได้ว่า มุมมองไหนมาจากเหตุการณ์จริง มุมมองไหนจำเป็นต้องเกิดจากจินตนาการของผู้เขียน มันเศร้านะที่เราต้องเขียนในสิ่งที่เราไม่มีทางได้รู้เลย ว่าคนที่เรารักเขาต้องพบเจอกับอะไรบ้าง... T-T
ซึ่งในที่สุดแล้ว โลกก็ยังคงไม่ได้รับรู้ต่อไป...
เมื่อสาวสามัญชนชาวตะวันออกได้เป็นซินเดอเรลล่า เธอมารู้ในภายหลังว่าชายที่ตัดสินใจร่วมชีวิตด้วย เป็นถึงเจ้าฟ้าผู้ครองเมืองในรัฐแห่งหนึ่งของพม่า...เจ้าฟ้าแห่งรัฐฉาน
หากแต่นางซินฉบับนี้เต็มไปด้วยอุปสรรคนานับประการ นอกจากต้องปรับตัวให้เข้ากับวัฒนธรรม ภาษา ความเป็นอยู่ของคนท้องถิ่น ไหนจะภาระใหม่ของฐานะทางสังคม ซึ่งความรักที่เธอมีต่อพระสวามีเท่านั้นที่ช่วยให้ฝ่าฟันเอาชนะทุกอย่างไปได้
แต่แผ่นดินนี้ไม่มีทางยอมให้ชีวิตของใครดำเนินไปได้อย่างที่ควรจะเป็น ความโลภและอำนาจของสภาพบ้านเมืองพรากความรักของเธอและเขาไป ทิ้งให้ใครบางคนต้องต่อสู้อย่างเดียวดาย...
จริงๆไม่รู้สึกบีบอารมณ์อะไรกับภาษาการแปล หรือวิธีการเรียบเรียงเนื้อหาของผู้เขียนเลย แต่สะเทือนใจมากกว่าเมื่อเรารับรู้ได้ว่า มุมมองไหนมาจากเหตุการณ์จริง มุมมองไหนจำเป็นต้องเกิดจากจินตนาการของผู้เขียน มันเศร้านะที่เราต้องเขียนในสิ่งที่เราไม่มีทางได้รู้เลย ว่าคนที่เรารักเขาต้องพบเจอกับอะไรบ้าง... T-T
ซึ่งในที่สุดแล้ว โลกก็ยังคงไม่ได้รับรู้ต่อไป...
January 19, 2025
4 Stars = It definitely held my interest.
A love story. An Austrian lady marries a Burmese man ... who turns out to be the Prince of Hsipaw, a ruler of an autonomous state in Burma's Shan mountains. I enjoyed this book. It was very easy to 'see' life through Inge's eyes. If you know much about Burma's history, you already know that their love story comes to an unpleasant end. So sad.
A love story. An Austrian lady marries a Burmese man ... who turns out to be the Prince of Hsipaw, a ruler of an autonomous state in Burma's Shan mountains. I enjoyed this book. It was very easy to 'see' life through Inge's eyes. If you know much about Burma's history, you already know that their love story comes to an unpleasant end. So sad.
August 22, 2020
La vita di Inge Sargent è una di quelle storie nelle quali la realtà supera la fantasia: nata in Austria, vince una borsa di studio in Colorado, ed è proprio durante una festa universitaria che conosce Sao, uno studente birmano. I due si frequentano, si innamorano e infine si sposano, decidendo di trasferirsi nel Paese d'origine di lui.
...Immaginate la sorpresa di Inge quando, all'arrivo in Birmania, scopre che suo marito è in realtà il principe ereditario di Hsipaw, uno dei piccoli stati di etnia Shan che compongono la Birmania!
Una storia degna di una fiaba, non fosse per il crudele epilogo: un colpo di stato militare distrugge il loro sogno, e Sao viene prelevato dai soldati per non fare mai più ritorno (non è spoiler, la cosa è chiara fin dall'inizio del libro), lasciando Inge della più cupa delle disperazioni...fuggita in Austria, anni dopo Inge deciderà di raccontare la fine del principato di Hsipaw, per mostrarlo al mondo e chiedere giustizia.
L'autrice ha scelto di narrare la sua storia in terza persona, facendo ricorso ad un narratore onnisciente, una scelta curiosa per un'autobiografia ma credo che porre una certa distanza emotiva abbia aiutato l'autrice a raccontare una storia per lei troppo intensa e piena di ricordi dolorosi, oltre a darle la possibilità di dare una sua personale ricostruzione della prigionia del marito.
Un libro molto suggestivo, nel bene e nel male: affascina per le descrizioni della selvaggia natura birmana, della cultura e tradizioni shan, e al tempo stesso è amaro e malinconico, a causa delle crescenti vessazioni da parte dell'esercito birmano sulla popolazione shan, e della percezione che l'iniziale favola è destinata ad infrangersi.
...Immaginate la sorpresa di Inge quando, all'arrivo in Birmania, scopre che suo marito è in realtà il principe ereditario di Hsipaw, uno dei piccoli stati di etnia Shan che compongono la Birmania!
Una storia degna di una fiaba, non fosse per il crudele epilogo: un colpo di stato militare distrugge il loro sogno, e Sao viene prelevato dai soldati per non fare mai più ritorno (non è spoiler, la cosa è chiara fin dall'inizio del libro), lasciando Inge della più cupa delle disperazioni...fuggita in Austria, anni dopo Inge deciderà di raccontare la fine del principato di Hsipaw, per mostrarlo al mondo e chiedere giustizia.
L'autrice ha scelto di narrare la sua storia in terza persona, facendo ricorso ad un narratore onnisciente, una scelta curiosa per un'autobiografia ma credo che porre una certa distanza emotiva abbia aiutato l'autrice a raccontare una storia per lei troppo intensa e piena di ricordi dolorosi, oltre a darle la possibilità di dare una sua personale ricostruzione della prigionia del marito.
Un libro molto suggestivo, nel bene e nel male: affascina per le descrizioni della selvaggia natura birmana, della cultura e tradizioni shan, e al tempo stesso è amaro e malinconico, a causa delle crescenti vessazioni da parte dell'esercito birmano sulla popolazione shan, e della percezione che l'iniziale favola è destinata ad infrangersi.
November 27, 2014
Didn't enjoy the writing, felt dry and detached for such an emotional story. The historical background is pretty interesting though, especially for someone who is interested in the region and it's background. Felt more like a text book or a briefing document though than an autobiography.
November 2, 2015
ก่อนอื่นอยากบอกว่า เล่มนี้แปลดีมาก อ่านไปได้เรือยๆ ภาษาสวยอีกต่างหาก เรื่องเล่าไปเรื่อยๆ เหมือนอ่านชีวิตในราชสำนักของเจ้าฟ้าและมหาเทวีสีป่อ แทรกเรื่องเล่าเกร็ดวิถีชีวิต ธรรมเนียมประเพณีของชาวไทยใหญ่ ซึ่งสำหรับเรามันน่าสนใจมากกกกกก เลยยอมรับความเรื่อยของเรื่องได้ แต่ในความเรื่อยมันคือความอึดอัด เพราะเราต้องรู้อยู่ว่าความสงบสุขสวยงามงี้จะอยู่ไปได้ไม่นาน
ช่วงหลังๆ เรื่องเริ่มพีค ตอนนายพลเนวินยึดอำนาจ นี่พล๊อตคุ้นๆ เหมือนกันนะ
ช่วงหลังๆ เรื่องเริ่มพีค ตอนนายพลเนวินยึดอำนาจ นี่พล๊อตคุ้นๆ เหมือนกันนะ
August 20, 2018
Ein solides Buch zur spannendes Lebensgeschichte von Inge Sargent. Es ließ sich gut lesen und war aufgrund des Schreibstil unterhaltsam, allerdings hatte dies auch einen Preis: Die Geschichte - trotz ihrer wahren Grundlage und der Tatsache, dass sie von der "Protagonistin" selbst geschrieben wurde - wirkte unglaubwürdig. Natürlich machten der Erzählstil als "Roman" und die Abschnitte aus der Sicht des Prinzen das Buch emotionaler, doch es verschleiert, wie wichtig es ist, diese Ungerechtigkeiten von damals ans Licht zu bringen. Es zeichnet ein verweichlichtes Bild der Realität und schwächt die Härte, die diese in diesem Fall hat(te).
Außerdem macht es einem schwer, zwischen Fiktion und tatsächlicher Geschichte zu unterscheiden. Der Prinz wird z.B. als utopischer Herrscher dargestellt. Und auch wenn er ein guter Regent war, ist doch kein Politiker oder Prinz jemals perfekt und ich hatte Schwierigkeiten, sein wahres Leben von dem romantisierten Roman-Leben zu differenzieren.
Dennoch war das Buch unterhaltsam und lehrreich, definitiv eine Bereicherung. Außerdem kann man Inge Sargent nur aus tiefstem Herzen bewundern.
Außerdem macht es einem schwer, zwischen Fiktion und tatsächlicher Geschichte zu unterscheiden. Der Prinz wird z.B. als utopischer Herrscher dargestellt. Und auch wenn er ein guter Regent war, ist doch kein Politiker oder Prinz jemals perfekt und ich hatte Schwierigkeiten, sein wahres Leben von dem romantisierten Roman-Leben zu differenzieren.
Dennoch war das Buch unterhaltsam und lehrreich, definitiv eine Bereicherung. Außerdem kann man Inge Sargent nur aus tiefstem Herzen bewundern.
February 5, 2015
While it offers some insights into Myanmar history, specifically relating to the Shan State and the Hsipaw, it comes across as a weak memoir. This is largely due to the third person narrative (why!?!?) and the chapters recounting her husband's point of view when captured by the military. The strength of the book was her reflections on the local customs, her adaptation and the day to day lifestyle. It is also a sad reminder of the great potential destroyed.
May 18, 2010
Loved this book as a true story of life in Burma - it helped me to understand some of the history of this country - it is long, complex and not peaceful in any way. For such a lovely country - the people, the culture, and the sights of the countryside and people their history is truly not peaceful. It is amazing what little power there is for anyone.
September 16, 2020
Inge Sargent was a great (very brave) lady. I was awed by her thorough details and her great memories. Surely, it is a very nice book especially if one wants to know the culture and life of the "Shan" people.
About the contents, well, I think we know more or less about how cruel a military dictatorship can be. So there is no need to exaggerate on this point. You cannot expect to read such book without anger and frustration welling up in you. (I even wonder if 'hell' should exist to punish these brutal people!!!)
If I have to compliment her writing style, it is a clear, straightforward, and easy to comprehend style. I personally think that the first half of the book is overflowing with love. Because of her affectionate writing, the character of her husband, Sao Kya Seng, appears very strong and distinct. (I even recalled, at this point, about another great book named 'a man like him' written by a famous writer of Myanmar "Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay". I mean, the intentions to portray the greatness of their husbands are similar).
All in all, I would recommend this book to others who would like to have a glimpse of cultural and historical aspect of Myanmar.
About the contents, well, I think we know more or less about how cruel a military dictatorship can be. So there is no need to exaggerate on this point. You cannot expect to read such book without anger and frustration welling up in you. (I even wonder if 'hell' should exist to punish these brutal people!!!)
If I have to compliment her writing style, it is a clear, straightforward, and easy to comprehend style. I personally think that the first half of the book is overflowing with love. Because of her affectionate writing, the character of her husband, Sao Kya Seng, appears very strong and distinct. (I even recalled, at this point, about another great book named 'a man like him' written by a famous writer of Myanmar "Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay". I mean, the intentions to portray the greatness of their husbands are similar).
All in all, I would recommend this book to others who would like to have a glimpse of cultural and historical aspect of Myanmar.
July 12, 2016
Un libro che è una biografia, ma che eccede la biografia, intrecciandosi ai sussulti della storia e nutrendosi dell'espressione delicata del romanzo: il merito è tutto della protagonista e autrice Inge-Thusandi, una ragazza austriaca che improvvisamente si scopre principessa shan e vive l'intensità dell'amore per l'ultimo regnante, restituendoci la dolcezza di una vita in un paese ricco di colori e profumi e il dramma della separazione imposta dal regime.
http://athenaenoctua2013.blogspot.it/...
http://athenaenoctua2013.blogspot.it/...
January 18, 2016
Granted that the writing is not the best, but the content itself is interesting, and it serves a great medium in showing why the Shan and the Myanmar's military have conflicts.
A book that every Burmese should read.
A book that every Burmese should read.
May 20, 2013
After reading this book,i just realize why other ethnic groups in Myanmar hate Burmans,us.
August 24, 2019
เราว่าเล่มนี้น่าจะจัดเป็นนิยายอิงประวัติศาสตร์ที่เกิดขึ้นในรัฐฉานของพม่า จากบันทึกของอิงเง่ ชาร์เจนท์หรือมหาเทวีสุจันทรีแห่งสีป่อ เริ่มเล่าตั้งแต่ก้าวย่างถึงพม่า การปรับตัวเข้าสู่วิถีชีวิตชาวตะวันออก พูดถึงวิถีชีวิตของชาวไทใหญ่สมัยนั้น การเมือง พันธกิจของเจ้าสีป่อ ฯลฯ อย่างกว้างๆ โดยเขียนจากมุมมองของมหาเทวีเอง จนถึงช่วงที่นายพลเนวินจับผู้คนไปคุมขังรวมถึงเจ้าฟ้าจาแสงพระสวามีด้วย และจบลงตอนที่มหาเทวีสุจันทรีหนีออกจากประเทศพร้อมลูกสาว เขียนดีนะ แปลก็ดี อ่านได้เพลินๆ แต่ไม่ได้เจาะลึกไปด้านใดคล้ายๆ อ่านบันทึกส่วนตัวประมาณนั้น
และถึงจะอ่านเพลินแต่มันไม่ค่อยพีค อ่านจบแล้วก็จบไป
และถึงจะอ่านเพลินแต่มันไม่ค่อยพีค อ่านจบแล้วก็จบไป
February 7, 2017
Surprised I sped through this book. Story is gripping and told quite beautifully and fluidly. Great introduction to the Shan state through a foreigner who embraced becoming 'one of the locals,' and eventually had to suffer through Ne Win's regime, losing her home and her husband. This loss is palpable in the book; the only thing that didn't feel true in the book's back summary is her ruling over the Shan people.
January 23, 2011
A strange autobiography, written in the 3rd person. This, and the ever present staff, jewels, and such, make it a rather detached experience. Interesting historical detail, though.
March 24, 2022
Una biografia fiabesca, al filo con il romanzo, per una Birmania tra la fine della guerra e il colpo di stato del 1962
Qui la review video: https://youtu.be/uVMb7iMcXFc
Qui la review video: https://youtu.be/uVMb7iMcXFc
August 31, 2018
I read the translated version so I don't know how it is written in original book but it felt a little too plain for such an emotional story although I get that she's not a writer. I think these kinds of stories are never taught in schools and can be only learned through books. It was indeed an interesting read.
September 8, 2017
หลากหลายอารมณ์ ดื่มด่ำ ตื้นตัน ขมขื่น ยิ่งอ่านก็ยิ่งเห็นใจในชะตากรรมของเพื่อนบ้านของเรา
August 25, 2011
Written in 1994
Movie:Title: The Last Mahadevi
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Status: Released
Country: Germany
Genre: Biopic, Documentary
Sao Kya Seng assumed the title of Saophalong (Great Lord of the Sky) in Burma in 1947. Prince of the Shan province of Hsipaw.The Shan states are bordered by China, Thailand and Laos.He then went to study in the US for four years. Married Inge in 1953
Inge Sargent, Thusandi in Burma, became a Mahadevi (Celestial Princess) in 1957.
The Shans at that time comprised 7% of the Burmese population. Shan is a corruption of the word Siam. There were 30 Shan states at theis time.
Yunnan, not Burma, was the world's most important source of illicit opium before WW1
1942- fierce battle between the Japanese and the Kuomintang, (Nationalist Chinese) who were fighting with the allies (invited by Britain) under Chiang kai-shek. Shans were loyal to the allies. Burmese aided the Japanese.The Shan states joined the Union of Burma in 1947 with a ten year period to withdraw and secede and become independent if they chose in 1958. The Shans became disenchanted with the Burmese domination of the federation
All Shan and Burmese males become novice monks for at least one weekin their lives.
Kachin and Karen men appear to be by standers while their women work.
Cow dung mixed with straw is the prevenent fuel of India and China
Mongols were the only people in the area who used milk.Made milk into a thin dough and dried it by wrapping it around bamboo sticks. Then fried the milk chips
Sao tried to put an end to the gambling festivals
1948-independent Burma to be created (from British)in Sept but in July General Aung San, founder of the Union of Burma was assinated.U Nu took over as prime minister but weak. Civil war broke out and was raging when Sao and Inge came to Burma in 1953
1961-Buddisim made the state religion of Burma
1962 coup by military and leader Ne Win and Sao was arrested and imprisoned. Sargent and her daughters were placed under house arrest. For the next two years Sargent worked tirelessly to discover what had become of her husband, but eventually, she had to face the truth. “Sao himself told me, even before the Coup d’Etat, that if anything happened to him I should wait two years. If he did not come back, that meant he was not alive anymore.”
Sao also told her that she should return to her parents in Austria. With the help of an Austrian Ambassador, Sargent and her daughters made a daring escape, leaving behind everything but three suitcases.
After living with her parents for two years, Sargent decided to return to Colorado where she and Sao had once been so happy. She became a high-school German teacher and worked hard to help her daughters adjust to their new home.
1964-Inge and two daughters went to Austria
1966-Inge and daughters moved to the US
Burmese military has denied any knowledge of the disappearance of Sao more than 30 years ago.
Movie:Title: The Last Mahadevi
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Status: Released
Country: Germany
Genre: Biopic, Documentary
Sao Kya Seng assumed the title of Saophalong (Great Lord of the Sky) in Burma in 1947. Prince of the Shan province of Hsipaw.The Shan states are bordered by China, Thailand and Laos.He then went to study in the US for four years. Married Inge in 1953
Inge Sargent, Thusandi in Burma, became a Mahadevi (Celestial Princess) in 1957.
The Shans at that time comprised 7% of the Burmese population. Shan is a corruption of the word Siam. There were 30 Shan states at theis time.
Yunnan, not Burma, was the world's most important source of illicit opium before WW1
1942- fierce battle between the Japanese and the Kuomintang, (Nationalist Chinese) who were fighting with the allies (invited by Britain) under Chiang kai-shek. Shans were loyal to the allies. Burmese aided the Japanese.The Shan states joined the Union of Burma in 1947 with a ten year period to withdraw and secede and become independent if they chose in 1958. The Shans became disenchanted with the Burmese domination of the federation
All Shan and Burmese males become novice monks for at least one weekin their lives.
Kachin and Karen men appear to be by standers while their women work.
Cow dung mixed with straw is the prevenent fuel of India and China
Mongols were the only people in the area who used milk.Made milk into a thin dough and dried it by wrapping it around bamboo sticks. Then fried the milk chips
Sao tried to put an end to the gambling festivals
1948-independent Burma to be created (from British)in Sept but in July General Aung San, founder of the Union of Burma was assinated.U Nu took over as prime minister but weak. Civil war broke out and was raging when Sao and Inge came to Burma in 1953
1961-Buddisim made the state religion of Burma
1962 coup by military and leader Ne Win and Sao was arrested and imprisoned. Sargent and her daughters were placed under house arrest. For the next two years Sargent worked tirelessly to discover what had become of her husband, but eventually, she had to face the truth. “Sao himself told me, even before the Coup d’Etat, that if anything happened to him I should wait two years. If he did not come back, that meant he was not alive anymore.”
Sao also told her that she should return to her parents in Austria. With the help of an Austrian Ambassador, Sargent and her daughters made a daring escape, leaving behind everything but three suitcases.
After living with her parents for two years, Sargent decided to return to Colorado where she and Sao had once been so happy. She became a high-school German teacher and worked hard to help her daughters adjust to their new home.
1964-Inge and two daughters went to Austria
1966-Inge and daughters moved to the US
Burmese military has denied any knowledge of the disappearance of Sao more than 30 years ago.
April 21, 2016
Read Asia Challenge 03
Twilight Over Burma was a book brought back my parents from their trip to Myanmar several months ago. I was extremely excited to dive into this book because for having such an interesting and eventful life, I have never heard of Inge Sargent. Moreover, the politics of Myanmar has always intrigued me and I hoped that this book would kickstart my next foray into the country’s history.
It was a little hard to believe that this was a memoir since the book is written from a third-person point of view. For an autobiography, I thought that that was strange and it called into question the dialogue and other minuscule details in the book. I have no doubt that this is a memoir of Inge Sargent’s time as Thusandi, Princess of Hsipaw, but the fact that it was written much like a fictional book and not a memoir; it was written with the events unfolding and not in the past tense, and the narrative switching back and forth from Sargent and her husband, Sao Kya Seng, made me question whether or not there were some fictitious elements sprinkled among the truths.
Nevertheless, Twilight Over Burma perfectly captured the culture of Myanmar and the Shan States and the changing landscape of the nation. It was endearing to read about Sargent or Thusandi struggling to fit in with her people and going out of her way to fulfill the duties expected of her. In a way, she is much like Princess Diana, a People’s Princess, and it’s a shame that unlike Diana, she isn’t revered by the entire world.
Twilight Over Burma may have showed the complexities of life as a Western ruler living in an Asian country but I felt that the political turmoil that happened during the latter parts of the book wasn’t properly explained. I wish that there had been an afterword or a ‘Historical Notes’ section at the end because I was really interested in the coup that took place and the changes that it brought to both Myanmar and the Shan States.
Overall, there isn’t much to say about Twilight Over Burma. Inge Sargent wowed me, not so much her memoir. It lacked a few things that would have made me really understand her adopted country and I’m still confused if the book should be taken as a historical fiction or an autobiography. Still, I look forward to learning more about this resilient and determined woman – Wikipedia, here I come!
Twilight Over Burma was a book brought back my parents from their trip to Myanmar several months ago. I was extremely excited to dive into this book because for having such an interesting and eventful life, I have never heard of Inge Sargent. Moreover, the politics of Myanmar has always intrigued me and I hoped that this book would kickstart my next foray into the country’s history.
It was a little hard to believe that this was a memoir since the book is written from a third-person point of view. For an autobiography, I thought that that was strange and it called into question the dialogue and other minuscule details in the book. I have no doubt that this is a memoir of Inge Sargent’s time as Thusandi, Princess of Hsipaw, but the fact that it was written much like a fictional book and not a memoir; it was written with the events unfolding and not in the past tense, and the narrative switching back and forth from Sargent and her husband, Sao Kya Seng, made me question whether or not there were some fictitious elements sprinkled among the truths.
Nevertheless, Twilight Over Burma perfectly captured the culture of Myanmar and the Shan States and the changing landscape of the nation. It was endearing to read about Sargent or Thusandi struggling to fit in with her people and going out of her way to fulfill the duties expected of her. In a way, she is much like Princess Diana, a People’s Princess, and it’s a shame that unlike Diana, she isn’t revered by the entire world.
Twilight Over Burma may have showed the complexities of life as a Western ruler living in an Asian country but I felt that the political turmoil that happened during the latter parts of the book wasn’t properly explained. I wish that there had been an afterword or a ‘Historical Notes’ section at the end because I was really interested in the coup that took place and the changes that it brought to both Myanmar and the Shan States.
Overall, there isn’t much to say about Twilight Over Burma. Inge Sargent wowed me, not so much her memoir. It lacked a few things that would have made me really understand her adopted country and I’m still confused if the book should be taken as a historical fiction or an autobiography. Still, I look forward to learning more about this resilient and determined woman – Wikipedia, here I come!
April 8, 2016
I read this book many years ago in my book club. Since the author lived in Boulder and was close to us, she came to a book club of ours. The author, an Austrian, met and married a Burmese prince when both of them were students at a college in Denver that had many international students. She didn't know that he was a prince until they arrived in Burma. (I'm not giving anything away since this was in the description of the book. Personally, I gasped when I read this part of the book. I wouldn't like to be surprised as to who I was married to.) They made a lot of important improvements in the lives of the Burmese people as far as education, health care, economic well being, etc. When the military took over, her husband was taken prisoner. The part of the book that deals with what all happened to Inge and her children after that read like a tense thriller. Kind of like the movie Argo when they were trying to get out of Iran.
When Inge came to our book club, she talked not just about the book, but also her work with a niece in Thailand who helps the refugees that escape Burma (now called Myanmar), and about her childhood experience in Austria during WWII. An elementary classmate of hers was asked by his teacher about someone who she somehow knew was staying with his family. This someone turned out to be a British pilot who the family was protecting. The teacher told the authorities who took his parents away, never to be seen again. She was so effected by this that she said that she wouldn't ever go back to Austria again.
Anyway, I would recommend the book. Myanmar is still making the news regarding the aftermath of all of this. I just got an email from Amnesty International asking everyone to put pressure on the newly elected government to release political prisoners. Although the U.S. certainly has its problems, be thankful that you live in a country that isn't completely messed up.
When Inge came to our book club, she talked not just about the book, but also her work with a niece in Thailand who helps the refugees that escape Burma (now called Myanmar), and about her childhood experience in Austria during WWII. An elementary classmate of hers was asked by his teacher about someone who she somehow knew was staying with his family. This someone turned out to be a British pilot who the family was protecting. The teacher told the authorities who took his parents away, never to be seen again. She was so effected by this that she said that she wouldn't ever go back to Austria again.
Anyway, I would recommend the book. Myanmar is still making the news regarding the aftermath of all of this. I just got an email from Amnesty International asking everyone to put pressure on the newly elected government to release political prisoners. Although the U.S. certainly has its problems, be thankful that you live in a country that isn't completely messed up.
December 13, 2013
My Grandma grew up in Burma, and I thought it would be interesting to learn more about Burma and what it was like there when she was growing up.
The name is significant because at this time in the 1960's there where wars and arguments over religions, and it was a dark time in Burma.
I think Inge wrote this book to teach people more about Burma, and what her life was like when she was the princess of Shan.
I think it was written for someone who wanted to know more about Burma and was interested in the culture.
I learned that there was a Princess and Prince in Shan Burma, I never knew that.
I learned why Burma had to change there name to Myanmar, because of the war and the people took over.
And I also learn about Inge's life in Burma, her family and all the different things she had to adapt to.
Anything can happen. Inge never thought she would fall in love with a prince and become a princess.
I visualized when Inge and Sao arrived in Hsipaw. The Shan people where waving and cheer as Inge and Sao arrived to Hsipaw on a boat. I could see how existed they were to see their Prince and Princess.
I Monitor thought out the book I had to stop and think about the wars and conflicts going on in Burma.
I predicted when Sao was taking by Burmese officers, that something bad would happen to him.
I liked the book, I thought it was very interesting and I would recommend to someone who wanted to learn more about Burma.
The name is significant because at this time in the 1960's there where wars and arguments over religions, and it was a dark time in Burma.
I think Inge wrote this book to teach people more about Burma, and what her life was like when she was the princess of Shan.
I think it was written for someone who wanted to know more about Burma and was interested in the culture.
I learned that there was a Princess and Prince in Shan Burma, I never knew that.
I learned why Burma had to change there name to Myanmar, because of the war and the people took over.
And I also learn about Inge's life in Burma, her family and all the different things she had to adapt to.
Anything can happen. Inge never thought she would fall in love with a prince and become a princess.
I visualized when Inge and Sao arrived in Hsipaw. The Shan people where waving and cheer as Inge and Sao arrived to Hsipaw on a boat. I could see how existed they were to see their Prince and Princess.
I Monitor thought out the book I had to stop and think about the wars and conflicts going on in Burma.
I predicted when Sao was taking by Burmese officers, that something bad would happen to him.
I liked the book, I thought it was very interesting and I would recommend to someone who wanted to learn more about Burma.
December 18, 2022
I'm not sure I have the words to adequately describe how moved and entranced I was by this book. I fully expected it to be good, the premise is really interesting. What I couldn't have anticipated, though, was the memories of life in Myanmar that came back to me while reading, the awe at and respect for Thusandi for how she became part of the local community, the pain I felt when reading about the coup and how little has changed since 1962, and the touching moments that revealed just how much Thusandi loved Sao.
This is a very human story. It walks through a momentous time in history through the experiences of one who went through it and has a unique story to tell. The book, which is beyond well-written, is a love letter to Myanmar and to the beautiful years Thusandi had with Sao. I haven't been this touched by someone's story in as long as I can recall. It was wholeheartedly poignant. The storytelling is magnificent. The emotion is powerful. You know what will happen, but you hope desperately that it won't. That somehow Sao will return.
What a life. What an incredible story. Thusandi is remarkable. This book was so powerful.
This is a very human story. It walks through a momentous time in history through the experiences of one who went through it and has a unique story to tell. The book, which is beyond well-written, is a love letter to Myanmar and to the beautiful years Thusandi had with Sao. I haven't been this touched by someone's story in as long as I can recall. It was wholeheartedly poignant. The storytelling is magnificent. The emotion is powerful. You know what will happen, but you hope desperately that it won't. That somehow Sao will return.
What a life. What an incredible story. Thusandi is remarkable. This book was so powerful.
January 30, 2013
genuinely interesting story of a european woman's unique experience of life in the shan states of the union of burma - she married into shan royalty- and of the burmese army takeover of the country. it certainly sparked an interest in learning more about the shan states, and about the army takeover that led to the country's current state. despite the interesting story, the format of the book is a bit jumpy, with vague delineation between the course of the story and recollections intended to flesh out the moment being discussed. also, the tone is remarkably dry and a bit detached for such an emotional story. an epilogue giving a short summary of her life after the book ends also would have been appreciated...but if you're interested, this had some information on her http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=In...
March 23, 2021
After events in Burma/Myanmar lately, decided to reread this bio of Inge Sargent. I taught with her at Fairview High School for several years. She and her daughters are good friends of my wife. She still lives in Boulder, Co. (Yes, the King Soopers shooting was at the one very close to where we lived for 30 years. We live in the Philippines now.)
I was astounded when I first heard this story, years before the book was written!
Here's a real life storybook princess story, and a tragedy, too. Loved reading about life in Burma away from urban Rangoon. So many aspects are similar to what we know here in the rural parts of the Philippines.
One message of the story is "don't trust the military." Let's hope the US military can purge itself of the racist fearful white supremacy groups currently infesting it.
I was astounded when I first heard this story, years before the book was written!
Here's a real life storybook princess story, and a tragedy, too. Loved reading about life in Burma away from urban Rangoon. So many aspects are similar to what we know here in the rural parts of the Philippines.
One message of the story is "don't trust the military." Let's hope the US military can purge itself of the racist fearful white supremacy groups currently infesting it.
September 4, 2023
Fascinating account but I would have like more details on exactly how this European woman actually adapted. I wanted to know her thoughts on someone renaming her and no familiar foods and the change in clothing and not having any girlfriends etc.
February 4, 2010
Interesting story and insight into the politics of Burma. It was interesting that both she and her husband, the prince, had Colorado contections.
August 6, 2011
Good reading and information about Burma in the mid 1900s.
March 20, 2012
Interesting look at how the 1962 military takeover in Burma affected the autonomous state of Shan and its popular American educated ruler and his Austrian wife.
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