{"title":"Charmaine Craig","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the evocative storytelling of \u003cem\u003eCharmaine Craig\u003c\/em\u003e, a celebrated author whose works beautifully weave history, identity, and personal struggles. Known for her profound narratives, Charmaine Craig explores intricate themes through compelling characters and vivid settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn her acclaimed novel \u003cem\u003eMiss Burma\u003c\/em\u003e, Craig takes readers on a journey through the turbulent history of Burma, capturing the struggles and resilience of a family across generations. The book delves into the complexities of identity and belonging, providing a unique lens on historical events through personal tales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer latest work, \u003cem\u003eMy Nemesis\u003c\/em\u003e, continues to showcase her literary prowess with a gripping examination of human relationships and the intricacies of power dynamics and ambition. Craig's thoughtful prose and engaging storytelling invite readers into worlds that resonate with both historical significance and modern relevance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFans of general fiction will appreciate Craig's ability to craft meaningful narratives that reflect on cultural and personal dilemmas. Her works are not just stories; they are explorations that challenge, provoke, and enlighten. Immerse yourself in Charmaine Craig's novels and uncover the layers of history and humanity in her writing.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"miss-burma-by-charmaine-craig-9781611855074","title":"Miss Burma","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLonglisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2018\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLonglisted for the National Book Award for Fiction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMiss Burma\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of modern-day Burma through the eyes of Benny and Khin, husband and wife, and their daughter Louisa. After attending school in Calcutta, Benny settles in Rangoon, then part of the British Empire, and falls in love with Khin, a woman who is part of a long-persecuted ethnic minority group, the Karen. World War II comes to Southeast Asia, and Benny and Khin must go into hiding in the eastern part of the country during the Japanese Occupation, beginning a journey that will lead them to change the country's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the war, the British authorities make a deal with the Burman nationalists, led by Aung San, whose party gains control of the country. When Aung San is assassinated, his successor ignores the pleas for self-government of the Karen people and other ethnic groups, and in doing so, sets off what will become the longest-running civil war in recorded history. Benny and Khin's eldest child, Louisa, has a danger-filled, tempestuous childhood and reaches prominence as Burma's first beauty queen soon before the country falls to dictatorship. As Louisa navigates her newfound fame, she is forced to reckon with her family's past, the West's ongoing covert dealings in her country, and her own loyalty to the cause of the Karen people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the story of the author's mother and grandparents, \u003cem\u003eMiss Burma\u003c\/em\u003e is a captivating portrait of how modern Burma came to be and of the ordinary people swept up in the struggle for self-determination and freedom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46531991765228,"sku":"9781611855074","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24484553482761.jpg?v=1749299077"},{"product_id":"my-nemesis-by-charmaine-craig-9781804710227","title":"My Nemesis","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMy Nemesis\u003c\/em\u003e by Charmaine Craig is a captivating story that delves into complex themes of empathy, betrayal, and feminine rivalry, penned by a highly talented writer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTessa is a successful writer who develops a friendship, initially through correspondence and then in person, with Charlie, a ruggedly handsome philosopher and scholar. Sparks fly as they exchange ideas about Camus and masculine desire, and their intellectual connection promises more—yet obstacles remain in the path of this burgeoning relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Tessa's husband Milton enjoys Charlie's company, Charlie's wife Wah presents a different challenge. Wah proves to be both an adversary and a conundrum to Tessa. Wah's traditional femininity and subservience to her husband strike Tessa as weaknesses, and she scoffs at the sacrifices Wah makes as an adoptive mother to a Burmese girl, Htet. However, Wah possesses her own kind of power, particularly over Charlie, leading to a conflict between the two women. This culminates in Tessa's martini-fuelled declaration that Wah is 'an insult to womankind'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Tessa is forced to confront the consequences of her outburst, she ponders whether Wah is truly as weak as she seems, or if there exists a different kind of strength within her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46550144188652,"sku":"9781804710227","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15116573482830.jpg?v=1749958305"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/charmaine-craig.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}