Does this change the mood or the flow of the novel? The way you see the characters?Ħ. A portion of the novel is in the form of letters. Is U Saw portrayed as a villain-or is he even villainous?ĥ. But to U Saw's discredit, his motives are self-interested, and for his own convenience, he obstructs all communication between Tin Win and Mi Mi. Tin Win's wealthy uncle, U Saw, finances Tin Win's eye operation and subsequent education abroad. In your opinion, what does U May model for Tin Win? How does Tin Win grow in these years?Ĥ. After he loses his sight, Tin Win spends several years in a monastery under the tutelage of the abbot, U May. Do you see this developmental difference reflected in the adult each one becomes, or in the way the two relate to one another?ģ. Mi Mi's mother, especially, adores her daughter. Tin Win is born to parents who abandon him as a child but Mi Mi is born into a close-knit family. In your opinion, what does the back-and-forth between Julia's and U Ba's narratives add to the telling of the love story between Tin Win and Mi Mi? How do these stories interrelate?Ģ. Recommend for book clubs that enjoy a more literary read.ġ. Is there such a thing and can it endure years of separation? It also explores the love between a parent and child, issues of abandonment, trust and forgiveness. This book explores the meaning of true love between a man and a woman. It's character driven with a rather languid pace that needs to be read slowly and savored for full appreciation.īook Club Talking Points: Talking Points: In summary - a unique and compelling story for those that enjoy a more literary read.

The descriptions of Burma are excellent, creating a strong sense of time and place and exposing the vast cultural differences between this country and ours.

A range of emotions surface as the story unfolds and the mystery is revealed. While the main theme is a love story, it's also a coming of age story for a young man with an all -consuming desire to be reunited with his true love. It's about a young women's journey to discover the reason her father unexpectedly disappeared from her life. PBR Book Review: (by- Linda ) This is a moving love story set in Burma written in a lyrical understated style.

The art of hearing heartbeats