Wow...the last 50 pages blew me away. And I gave 4 stars only because of those last 50 pages. Otherwise, I was just gonna give 3.7 or 8 stars. (not much difference, but still..)
While I appreciate the author's efforts for this book, it was quite slow for me. I got a bit bored from time to time while reading this. (but then again, this kind of book is meant for slow and thorough read, savouring every words. So, the blame's totally on me.)
But I did get a chance to travel to this little village in upper Myanmar in colonial times with its rich tradition and everything thanks to this little(not little, HUGH) book.
I felt really suffocated while reading this book. But however, this is definitely a masterpiece. I learned more about our cultures and traditions. I got to know the beliefs which were so strong (But out-of-date now). Khin Khin Htoo is one of my favourite female authors. I really admire her. I believe she had to work very hard to write this book.
It is about a woman who had her life in anyway she wanted except for a few things. In the end, those things ended haunting her for the rest of her life. This is the way life is. Most people are so dissatisfied with a few mishaps in their lives that they lost track of all the good things they had.
Of course, as usual, her book has a thorough display of rural landscape. It has a great description of Myingyan area during colonial period and the traditions many villages held.