Smile as they Bow
SynopsisPlot
As the weeklong Taungbyon Festival draws near, thousands of villagers from all regions of Burma descend upon a tiny hamlet near Mandalay to pay respect to the spirits, known as nats, which are central to Burmese tradition. At the heart of these festivities is Daisy Bond, a gay, transvestite spiritual medium in his fifties. With his sharp tongue and vivid performances, he has long been revered as one of the festival's most illustrious natkadaws. At his side is Min Min, his young assistant, and lover, who endures unyielding taunts and abuse from his fiery boss. But when a young beggar girl named Pan Nyo threatens to steal Min Min's heart, the outrageous Daisy finds himself face-to-face with his worst fears.
Story
About this book
A tiny village near Mandalay is the setting for the Taungbyon Festival, a weeklong event that draws visitors from every part of Burma. They come to honour nats, guardian spirits with a long-standing place in Burmese belief. Nu Nu Yi builds her novel inside that crowd, following the performers who make their living from these rituals and from the offerings of pilgrims.
Her central figure is Daisy Bond, a natkadaw in his fifties. A natkadaw is a spirit medium who dances and speaks for the nats during ceremonies. Daisy is gay, dresses as a woman, and is celebrated at the festival for vivid performances and a cutting tongue. Min Min, his young assistant and lover, absorbs the insults that come with the work.
The balance between them shifts when Pan Nyo, a girl who begs at the festival, draws Min Min's attention, and Daisy is left facing what he fears most. Burmese authorities censored the book for more than twelve years. In 2007 Nu Nu Yi became the first writer living in Burma nominated for an international literary award. This novel was her American debut.
