Burmese DaysHonest and evocative, George Orwell’s first novel is an examination of the debasing effect of empire on occupied and occupier. Burmese Days focuses on a handful of Englishmen who meet at the European Club to drink whisky and to alleviate the acute and unspoken loneliness of life in 1920s Burma—where Orwell himself served as an imperial policeman—during the waning days of British imperialism. One of the men, James Flory, a timber merchant, has grown soft, clearly comprehending the futility of England’s rule. However, he lacks the fortitude to stand up for his Indian friend, Dr. Veraswami, for admittance into the whites-only club. Without membership and the accompanying prestige that would protect the doctor, the condemning and ill-founded attack by a bitter magistrate might bring an end to everything he has accomplished. Complicating matters, Flory falls unexpectedly in love with a newly arrived English girl, Elizabeth Lackersteen. Can he find the strength to do right not only by his friend, but also by his conscience? |
From inside the book
Page 17
... the proud boast of Kyauktada Club that , almost alone of Clubs in Burma , it had never admitted an Oriental to membership . Beyond the Club , the Irrawaddy flowed huge and ochreous , glittering like diamonds in the BURMESE DAYS 17.
... the proud boast of Kyauktada Club that , almost alone of Clubs in Burma , it had never admitted an Oriental to membership . Beyond the Club , the Irrawaddy flowed huge and ochreous , glittering like diamonds in the BURMESE DAYS 17.
Page 18
... clock and the sun was fiercer every minute . The heat throbbed down on one's head with a steady , rhythmic thumping , like blows from an enormous bolster . Flory stopped at the Club gate , wondering whether to go. 18 BURMESE DAYS.
... clock and the sun was fiercer every minute . The heat throbbed down on one's head with a steady , rhythmic thumping , like blows from an enormous bolster . Flory stopped at the Club gate , wondering whether to go. 18 BURMESE DAYS.
Page 19
... Club steps a sandy - haired Englishman , with a prickly moustache , pale grey eyes too far apart , and abnormally thin calves to his legs , was standing with his hands in the pockets of his shorts . This was Mr. Westfield , the District ...
... Club steps a sandy - haired Englishman , with a prickly moustache , pale grey eyes too far apart , and abnormally thin calves to his legs , was standing with his hands in the pockets of his shorts . This was Mr. Westfield , the District ...
Page 20
... Club was a teak - walled place smelling of earth - oil , and consisting of only four rooms , one of which contained a forlorn ' library ' of five hundred mildewed novels , and another an old and mangy billiard - table - this , however ...
... Club was a teak - walled place smelling of earth - oil , and consisting of only four rooms , one of which contained a forlorn ' library ' of five hundred mildewed novels , and another an old and mangy billiard - table - this , however ...
Page 22
... Club . " Just listen to this . ' It has been suggested that as there are as yet no Oriental members of this club , and as it is now usual to admit officials of gazetted_rank , whether native or European , to membership of most European ...
... Club . " Just listen to this . ' It has been suggested that as there are as yet no Oriental members of this club , and as it is now usual to admit officials of gazetted_rank , whether native or European , to membership of most European ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
arms Ba Sein Ba Taik bazaar beaters birthmark bloody Burmans Burmese butler chair Club damned dear doctor dreadful drink Elizabeth Ellis English Europeans eyes face Flory Flory and Elizabeth Flory's fool girl hair hand happened head hear heard honour Indian jungle Kin Kin knew Ko S'la Kyauktada Kyin Kyin's Lackersteen leopard letter live longyi looked Ma Hla Macgregor maidan Mandalay marry matter Maxwell morning native never nigger night official pagodas Po Kyin police ponies pukka sahib punkah rain Rangoon rebellion road round rupees S'la sampan sepoys servants shooting shoulder sitting skin stood sweat talk tell thakin thing thought took trees turned veranda Veraswami Verrall Verrall's village voice walked watched Westfield whisky woman women yards yellow young وو