Smile as they bow by Nu Nu Yi

Set in Taungbyo, Myanmar. Reread on 2019/05: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByDr0OugV5e/

Reviewed on 2018/02: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfW8yxmnceF/

A poetic, debonair and dare I say even naive account of a group of #transwomen and #crossdressers living their lives in modern day #myanmarDespite the discrimination and hatred, #burmese society has somehow managed to allow them one role: that of a #nat or a #natkadaw an entertainer, spiritual guide and fortune teller all wrapped in one. The fragility of happiness for those who are not allowed choices or full lives, the dependency of others’ validations and ancient versus modern views all come together quite seemingly in this touching and endearing book. What really transpires here is something you learn very early on once you know you’re #lgbt : your #friendsor even the kindness of strangers become way more reliable than those biologically closer to you. #nunuyi is also a widely popular writer currently living in #burmaand one of the rare writers translated into English. #highlyrecommended#burmeseliterature #mandalay#taungbyone #lgbtliterature #နုနုရည် #hyperioneast #censored #မန္တလေး#smileastheybow