Set in Tokyo during 1985, the narrative captures the vibrant energy of the world's first megacity at its peak. The story delves into the cultural and technological shifts of the time, exploring the lives of its inhabitants as they navigate the complexities of urban existence. Themes of modernity, change, and the juxtaposition of tradition and innovation are woven throughout, painting a vivid picture of a city in transformation.
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, is a symbol of supreme courage in the face of tyranny. Released from house arrest in 2010, she led her party to a dramatic victory in Burma's first free general election in a generation. Acclaimed biographer, Peter Popham, describes how, inspired by her leadership, Burma has found its voice and transformed its destiny. However greater freedom has brought with it other troubles. The Lady and the Generals offers a compelling portrait of this fascinating country and asks where Burma and Suu Kyi - with her bravery, her charisma and her limitations - are heading next. Praise for The Lady and the Peacock, also by Peter Popham 'What a gift to our world and what a splendid telling of [Aung San Suu Kyi's life]. We are deeply indebted to Peter Popham for such a superb account' - Archbishop Desmond Tutu 'Sensitive and moving' - Sunday Times 'Beautifully written and compelling in every aspect' - Joanna Lumley 'Warm and objective...will not be bettered for a long time' - Independent on Sunday
Until she was released in November 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi had been under house arrest in Burma for fourteen of the previous twenty years. She was already confined to her home when the party she co-founded and led, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide victory in a general election in 1990. The result was never acknowledged by the military regime in power for many decades.
Set against the backdrop of India's tumultuous transition to independence, the narrative follows a diverse group of individuals grappling with the impending end of British rule. As the last Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, accelerates the process, tensions rise, leading to a violent upheaval. The characters, including Indian freedom fighters and British expatriates, navigate a landscape of love, paranoia, and shifting loyalties, culminating in a gripping exploration of hope and despair. Peter Popham's debut weaves a rich tapestry of the era's complexities and emotional stakes.
