This week’s pick is an extensive collection of short stories and thought-provoking daily reflections that cover a wide range of topics. “Cultivating positive qualities like love and compassion in our minds may be perceived as challenging. Yet, it can be a powerful tool to create a superficial impact,” a reflection quote on real-life events indicated.The author explored a seafarer’s career. Then, he pursued his passion in writing once he returned to shore. He published a piece of his writing with the use of his savings. His pen name was not widely recognized among readers.His writing experience reached a two-decade milestone indeed. He started this career with a “borderless state” short story in the Shwe Athit digital page of the September issue of the Shwe Amatay Magazine in 2005.At that time, other contemporary writers were Min Wai Hin, Nyi Min Nyo and Ngwe Zinyaw Oo (Mogok). Readers were drawn to his stories from that time. He won a national literary award with his book titled “Fisherman” in 2019. His novellas gained traction to guarantee some reprints.This book comprises 16 short stories, and it is the fourth book in a collection of short stories. Earlier, he named a book title as Short Stories from Magazines. This time, he just mentioned the current situation as on the long path of the desert in the preface.One story that has been published in the Shwe Amutay Magazine ‘Snake’, four stories in U Dan Thit Magazine ‘Novel without Moustache’, ‘Mouth and Foot’, ‘River on the Train’, ‘Double Evening’, and the other 11 unpublished ones were included in this book.“I am a big fan of Saya Moe Kyaw Zin’s seafarer short stories. His novellas reflect the experiences and life events of the seafarers. Short stories, such as ‘Coffee’, ‘Mouth and Foot’, and ‘At Sea, Sunday Special?’ in this collection, also portray the life of the seafarers. It depicts a blend of adventure, hardship, resilience and seafaring experiences.In the coffee story, readers can see how he responded to the bossy senior by maintaining professionalism while setting boundaries. Unlike the coffee, he showed a perspective of the senior amid the escalating tensions with the junior in the ‘Mouth and Foot’ story. Both stories highlight mindfulness, different perspectives and mind-consciousness. Sunday at sea points out the undeniable working hours without a break on Sundays.“All four seafarer short stories will satisfy readers’ thirst. A character called Lone Lone will make readers feel attached for sure. It is the writing craft and the thinking art, too. Readers will see how Saya Moe Kyaw Zin described Lone Lone and turned elements of this into a masterpiece.” Saya Soe Bardaing remarked.“The author draws inspiration from fleeting moments in everyday life: Children in the Market, Bicycle in Alleys, and Chaos, and strikes powerful metaphors with the pen at his desk, with the stories emerging from all paths of life. This collection will let readers experience the essence of fiction, setting, background, different characters, emotions and plot advancement. Short story writers will inevitably keep writing and find ways to deliver the stories to readers. He likes to encourage those striving to write and nurture the ability to write. When writers stop writing and readers stop reading, they thereby diminish the role of literature in society.“Reflecting on the phrase ‘Pen as Weapon’ used by esteemed writers, he contemplated the meaning of heavy weapons, small weapons and secret weapons,” criticized Saya Soe Bardine.The author in his preface prays: “Long Live Short Story Lovers for Long Live Myanmar Short Stories.”Source: GNLM
Mon, 30-Jun-2025
