Ju (writer)


Ju is a Burmese novelist, well known for her strong, intelligent female characters.

Early life and education

Ju was born 20 September 1958 in Yenangyaung. She is the third child of U Thaung and Daw Nyein, having five siblings. She graduated from the high school at Yenangyaung in 1975 and graduating with an MBBS degree from Institute of Medicine, Mandalay in 1983.

Career

Despite her interest in writing, upon her mother's prodding, she pursued medical studies at the Institute of Medicine, Mandalay. She started writing while in medical school University of Medicine, Mandalay and her first short story was published in 1979. Her writing career took off in the late 1980s, with her debut novel, Remembrance, published in 1987. The bestseller novel stirred controversy for endorsing Western existentialist philosophy and portraying cohabitating unwed couples.
She published fifteen novels, seven collections of short stories and seven collections of articles on the environment. She currently works as a co-founder of an HIV positive children orphanage and also a participant in the HIV/AIDS Media Initiative and Yadana Metta Foundation. Her writings now focus on environmental conservation.

Works

Novels