Novel
တက်ဘုန်းကြီး
Not translated into English
Thein Pe Myint · 1936
Synopsis
An itinerant preaching monk forms liaisons with female worshippers who have come to hear him, then with a nun. Around him, the story also shows the money arrangements and the breaches of monastic discipline that the author attributed to part of the clergy of his time, and the devotion of the faithful that covers for them.
Context
The novel appeared in 1936 or 1937, with a preface by U Nu, the author's companion in the Dobama Asiayone and future prime minister. It shocked a devout country: the association of young monks denounced it, the author and the publisher received threats, and the author had to apologise to the clergy, while prominent writers, among them Zawgyi, welcomed it. The book was long banned in Burma; the author later maintained, in his memoirs, that it showed real breaches of discipline.
Who it is for
A novel in Burmese, which assumes knowledge of the place of the clergy in Burmese society; no French translation.
Prizes and reception
Its author's best-selling novel, which earned him his place among the masters of Burmese literature.