Book Review

Book Review

"MY VANISHED WORLD" by Nel Adams

Nel brings harsh regime to book- by Ann Holliday

A retired Lecturer has delved into the past and recorded a lifetime of memories to raise awareness of current problems in her homeland.

Nel Adams penned her biography My Vanished World as part of a campaign against military government which took over the Shan State, a beautiful and unspoilt area of eastern Burma where she grew up.

Mrs. Adams, who taught food science at Mid- Cheshire College and now lives in Sutton Weaver travels all over the World as part of her campaign.

She says writing the book was a way of unveiling the secrets of the regime to a wider audience.

" I wrote the book because many foreigners don’t know a lot about the Shan people and the Shan State, said Mrs Adams.

"Some think it is the same as Burma but it is a separate ethnic group with its own nationality.

The Shan State has always been autonomous of Burma and when we gained independence from the British we thought we had equal rights and equal opportunities".

But in 1958 the Burmese military took control of the Shan State and forced the leaders, the Sawbwas to relinquish their powers.

This was quickly followed by the destruction of the area and the peaceful and tranquil life which Mrs. Adams remembers vanished.

"We protest to World Leaders in the hope that outside forces might bring down the evil regime,"said Mrs. Adams, "but the Shan State seems to be too insignificant to be on any other country’s political agenda.

"I love my country and its people so I am fighting for honour, justice truth and freedom"

Continued--

Saga of Life in Burma a great read

As an avid reader of biographies, "My Vanished World" immediately grabbed my attention. But with each page I turned I soon realised that everyone from history buffs to love story fans find this story fascinating.

There is romance and sadness, accounts of war and politics and anecdotes to raise a smile before the turmoil of military control takes over.

Adams describes her childhood and homelife with fondness, adding asides here and there to remind the reader this is a true story. The descriptions of her everyday life are vivid and recalled with pride.

In some ways it is a story of a world far removed from the hustle and bustle of life in her new home town in Runcorn. Yet, these smaller details , such as how her grandfather handed out sweets or the feelings she had on her first day at school, strikes a universal chord.

Adams is deft in her writing and builds a clear picture of what her life was like in Burma. The changes brought about by political events in her home state are dramatic and the startling effect they had on her and her family is unquestionable.

It is a remarkable story and one that will bring many people as close as they will ever get to understanding life under a military dictatorship.

As Adams writes in the final chapter of her book : There are some countries like Spain and Argentine, for example, who have experienced such regimes and need no reminder.

There are, however, people living in democracies who cannot imagine the devastating effect of being totally out of control over one’s life. AH 

My Vanished World is also being translated into Japanese and will soon be out as a Japanese Version .

SNO