A Must Read for Myanmar: The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh

By: Andrea Ross

I’m not a great historian and, while I love to read, I tend to skip the high-brow options and head straight for a good love story or adventure book. In the last few years, however, I’ve discovered the power of historical novels. It started with Philippa Gregory, a brilliant author who brings British history to life through her enchanting stories.  You’ll know her as the author of The Other Boleyn Girl, but her other books are even better and they have enhanced many a castle visit as I explored England.

Before this trip to Myanmar I was told about The Glass Palace by Indian author Amitav Ghosh and I spent a couple of sleepless nights unable to put it down. The book begins in 1916 Mandalay with a young Indian emigrant witnessing the fall of King Thebaw, the last King of Burma, exiled to India by the British. From there, following the lives of King Thebaw, his daughters and servants and the Indian boy, it takes you through the rise of Burma with the teak industry, the rise of Malaysia with the rubber plantations, and the fall of everything with World War II. It has love stories and heartbreaks and provides a captivating look at a fascinating time. This week, as I explore Myanmar, the book has literally sprung to life. In Mandalay yesterday we visited the Teak Palace of King Thebaw’s father and heard the story of Thebaw’s marriage to Queen Supayalat, a woman who engineered her own destiny. This would just have been another building to me, but thanks to Mr Ghosh it came to life with the characters of my book and I was able to be transported back to Burma in the reign of Thebaw!

I know there are people out there able to slog through autobiographies and historical accounts but for me, who enjoys a little drama in my life, this book allowed me to enjoy the day to day love and struggles while getting a picture of the events that shaped the very country I’m traveling through. A must-read before any trip to Myanmar!