Roadmap, The

by Ma Thida

This remarkable work of documentary fiction takes place in Burma, spanning more than two decades of the pro-democracy movement. It is a spare and poignant portrayal of the country’s continuing political instability and two fictitious families whose lives are inexorably shaped by the turmoil.

The title alludes to the “Roadmap to Democracy,” a seven-step program for restoring democracy in Burma announced by General Khin Nyunt in 2003. Suragamika’s new Roadmap employs the metaphor of travelers journeying on a road. Vignettes from the lives of the characters intersperse true-to-life descriptions of the shifting political and social milieu. The narrative reveals the harsh realities of life in Burma since the 8-8-88 uprising, yet conveys an unflagging hope for the future.

Here is one clear, new voice emanating from the heart of Burma. It compels the world to listen and watch and travel along with it.

What others are saying

“An unconventional narrative, searching and raw, that chronicles the Burmese military government’s heinous record of repression side-by-side with its dire consequences for individual families” — Wendy Law-Yone, author of Irrawaddy Tango

“The Roadmap vividly illustrates how the lives of Burmese democracy activists and their family members have been profoundly reshaped by repression and separation as they continue to seek a way forward for themselves and their country. It is an evocative and moving book which touches the hearts of its readers through both its poetic language and its silences” — Christina Fink, author of Living Silence in Burma

“To understand Burma’s many untold and unpublished human tragedies … read this roadmap” — Aung Zaw, editor of The Irrawaddy

Highlights

Absorbing story of endurance and resilience
Sensitive portrayal of real life inside Burma, from 1988 to the present
Shows the struggle and commitment of pro-democracy activists
Presents contemporary Burmese history with passion and empathy

About the Author

Ma Thida, a doctor turned writer/editor, has received international freedom of expression prizes and has spent nearly five years in prison on this journey towards democracy.