5 Books about Burma

If you’re looking for the best books about Burma, you’ll find a mix of fiction and nonfiction, history and travel writing. Here are eight of our favorites.

1. “The Glass Palace” by Amitav Ghosh

This epic novel by Indian author Amitav Ghosh spans several generations and tells the story of Burma’s colonization by the British, the rise of Burmese nationalism, and World War II. The book is richly detailed and brings to life a little-known period of history.

2. “The River of Lost Footsteps” by Thant Myint-U

Thant Myint-U is a historian and grandson of U Thant, the Burmese diplomat who served as United Nations Secretary-General in the 1960s. In “The River of Lost Footsteps,” Myint-U tells the story of Burma from the early days of monarchy to the military dictatorship of the present day. It’s a fascinating and heartbreaking look at a country that has often been in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

3. “The Piano Tuner” by Daniel Mason

In 1886, a British piano tuner is sent to Burma to tune a rare piano owned by a colonel in the British army. The Piano Tuner” is a historical novel by Daniel Mason that tells the story of the piano tuner’s journey to Burma and his subsequent adventures in the jungle. It’s a fascinating look at a little-known corner of the British Empire.

4. “Burmese Days” by George Orwell

One of the most famous books about Burma is “Burmese Days” by George Orwell. Orwell served as a police officer in Burma in the 1920s, and his book is a semi-autobiographical account of his time there. It’s a scathing critique of colonialism, and an essential read for anyone interested in Burma’s history.

5. “From the Land of Green Ghosts” by Pascal Khoo Thwe

Pascal Khoo Thwe was a young student in Burma when the military dictatorship took power in 1988. He fled the country and eventually ended up in England, where he wrote “From the Land of Green Ghosts,” a memoir of his life in Burma. It’s a moving and inspirational story of one man’s struggle against all odds.