Peter Olszewski

This is a flawed book but it is as fair-handed an account of contemporary Burma (though published almost a decade ago) as I have read. Olszewski does not beat the war drums against the regime but instead chooses to express a more multi-faceted version of life in Yangon and beyond. He resents being blacklisted by those outsiders who would take up the cause because of his moderated views. His encounter with Bert Lintner at a soiree back in Australia is an instructive one.

There were many moments that resonated with me (as a resident of Rangoon) as he recounts his experiences living and working in the once-capital. Not the least of these is his hilarious account of a taxi ride during the rainy season (One quote sticks in my mind about how the taxis drive around and around looking for a place to die....)

I found the most insightful piece to be about a young foreigner who had tied herself to a post, sang protest songs, and got herself arrested. The regime's treatment of her (and her parents) is mystifying to our Western minds. However, Olszewski attributes the government's actions to an innately Burmese tendency towards the patriarchal. You may agree or disagree with what he identifies as the cultural norm itself, but the observation deserves some further elaboration.

I lose a bit of interest towards the end of the book as he travels up to the Shan States and then as he romances a young beauty much his junior. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read.

I'm amazed that with the current interest and fair crop of books on the country, this book hasn't been published outside of Australia. This makes it somewhat hard to find except, I presume, down under.… (altro)