Lucy Cruickshanks’ latest atmospheric novel is set in 1980 in the Mogok region of northern Burma (now called Myanmar). This region is where they mine the world’s most beautiful rubies. A bitter civil war rages between the controlling Tatmadaw and the rebel Shan State Army. The people are poor and the Tatmadaw regime is cruel, violent and corrupt. Lucy’s three main characters are thrown together by chance and must struggle together to survive.
Than Chit an ambitious military officer with the Tatmadaw longs for promotion and power. His schemes and manipulations to promote himself end in devastating personal loss.
Thuza Win is 11 years old when her parents are imprisoned for ruby smuggling. Deeply scarred by life and struggling to survive she must grab any chance she can for a better life.
Michael Atwood, son of the British Ambassador in Rangoon is a naive 21 year old. Following a bomb attack in which his friend is seriously hurt Michael decides to avenge this terrible deed by helping the rebels. Unfortunately, Michael finds that he has been tricked; he is in danger and his only hope of survival lies with Than Chit and Thuza.
But as three strangers, in this savage country, they must learn who they can trust.
Lucy Cruickshanks has travelled the world, drawn to countries with a troubled history. Her first novel was set in Vietnam and was short listed for the Authors’ Club First Novel Award and the Guardian Not the Booker Prize.
Lucy was born and raised in Cornwall. She studied Politics and Philosophy at Warwick University and Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. She now lives on the south coast of England with her husband and two small children. She enjoy writing and caring for her young family.
I enjoyed Cruickshanks’ handling of her material, and her research is thorough and fascinating. She weaves it all together into a satisfying novel. Even the title is evocative: ‘Rangoon’ has such resonance …
Published by Heron Books on 17th September 2015 in hardback £18.99