This is a excellent read for those new to Southeast Asian history and the refugee experience. It offers a compelling story with believable characters against the backdrop of the violence and beauty of several decades of Burmese/Myanmar history. As a professor who teachers Southeast Asia courses, I often ask students to read a novel (from a list of curated novels by Southeast Asian authors), and examine/critique/applaud the depictions in the novel vis a vis what they have learned in class. Although this book is not by a Southeast Asia author, I will add this book to my curated list (making it explicit to students that the author is not Southeast Asian and asking those who select it to reflect on how that may have impacted the representations and the sweep of the story). I found the characters compelling. The novel is told through the eyes of the woman whose maternal grandmother was a Burmese refugee and whose father is American. The main character was raised in the US, but returns to Burma with her family for several months when she is 13. During this period she develops a close relationship with her second cousin and they share a deeply traumatic experience. Her experiences during this visit are interspersed with her current life in the United States and a return to her mother's homeland as an adult. At times, life in Myanmar/Burma was a bit romanticized, but this is understandable given that the main character was not reared in Burma. Overall, this was a page turner and I think my students will enjoy it.

Etta’s grandmother dies, and she feels compelled to follow her sister to Myanmar to deal with her grandmother's ashes. Leaving behind loved ones but traveling towards a past that includes old friendships, family, and complicated relationships, Etta begins to come to terms with and revisit her memories.

This is such a beautifully written story about family and relationships. I loved the feeling this book gave me. I felt as if I were peeking into the warm and sunny pages of another life. Vicariously living through Etta, I wanted to learn more about her family history and intrude upon her innermost thoughts.

Overall, this is a great vacation read. Even with some of the tougher family dramas, it felt light and airy. It's just a gorgeous book throughout.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4. This was a quick and informative read. I learned so much about the history and political turmoil of Myanmar (Burma).

American sisters Etta and Parker end up traveling separately to Myanmar after the death of their grandmother. Two timelines are covered, the first in 1988 when the family visited their grandmother’s homeland, the second 2011 to bring her ashes home. Parker has taken her grandmother’s ashes back to Myanmar for burial. Etta follows shortly after to try to come to terms with a traumatic event from 1988 and to resolve her feelings for her childhood love Shwe.

This is a character driven family story that touches on sibling love, childhood trauma, immigration, and differing cultures. It has many descriptive settings, mentions of Myanmar culture and food. Enjoyable read.

I really liked learning about Burma/Myanmar because it’s not a country I have a lot of knowledge about. Getting to see Etta’s childhood really explained why she acted the way she did and her complicated relationships with both Shwe and Jason. I’ve never really thought about traveling to Myanmar but after reading this book it’s definitely on my list. The author writes beautifully and really draws you into the story. Would be a 5 star read but I didn’t love the ending, I wish we got to see what happened when Etta and Jason got back to Boston.

Interesting plot, premise and characters but I had some trouble with the writing style which made it difficult to get through.

Oh this book was just so good! I loved the plot and the main character. It was so captivating. Such a great read! Well done