Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsThe British in India filled the vacancy left by the preceding set of interlopers, the Mughals. While they had their own interests and convictions, they were as much made by the country as its shapers. They found this process--renewed in every generation--an enthralling one, as this pastiche of verbal history shows. In 1974 some fifty in-depth interviews were conducted with survivors of the British raj for a BBC program. Arranged topically (children, household, the Frontier, the day's work, the order of precedence), the book is the easiest possible reading--the uninhibited, unapologetic recollections of a time when everything had a heightened interest and importance. Editor Allen does not attempt to discriminate; the police officer who gave anyone shouting ""Mahatma Gandhi"" six of the best (he left India in '27) stands alongside the man who joined the Indian Civil Service in 1928 because he found the prospect of a transfer of power exciting. A nostalgic book about a group who, from the despised British soldier to the viceroy's court, felt themselves neglected by England and on guard in India. Offsetting much that is tawdry (and not always recognized here as such), are those perilous, golden childhoods or the touring district officer required by longstanding convention to talk at leisure with any of the thousands who might wish it.
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Lyn Elliott - GoodreadsI read this book soon after it was first published and have just re-read it in an illustrated 1985 edition , which is not available as an option on goodreads that I can see. Charles Allen has compiled ... Read full review
Review: Plain Tales From The Raj
User Review - Clare Flynn - GoodreadsFascinating pot pourri of different voices recalling incidents from their personal histories in colonial India - marred by the lack of context which means you need to constantly flip to the back of ... Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Ipek - Goodreadsfulll of first hand experiences and very interesting everyday details Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Karen - GoodreadsA March day of a book: some sunny periods with laugh out loud moments, such as how one poor soldier imprudently found release from the pressure of pent up physical desire with a sacred cow from the ... Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Zara - GoodreadsSnapshots and descriptions of childhood, so very poignant Read full review
Review: Plain Tales From The Raj
User Review - Liz - Goodreads'Plain Tales from the Raj' depicts life in 'British India' during the early 20th Century. It's assembled from radio interviews, recorded by the BBC in the 70's. Interesting anecdotes and funny stories ... Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Rick - GoodreadsI came to this from Allen's biography of Kipling's life in India. It's extremely interesting and highly recommended for those interested in the self-perception of British participants in Empire. Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Lyn - GoodreadsOne of my favs that I read over and over Read full review
Review: Plain Tales from the Raj
User Review - Lydia - GoodreadsTough going. Not a book you can read right through. I found I was only able to read short bits at a time, so I read the book slowly over a few months. I did find it worth it though. I am very interested in the subject and era it described, and it is fascinating. Read full review
