The Jam Fruit TreeWinner of the Gratiean Memorial Prize for the best work in English Literature by a Sri Lankan for 1993 Hilarious, affectionate, candid and moving, this is the story of the Burghers of Sri Lanka... Who are the Burghers? Descended from the Dutch, the Portuguese, the British and other foreigners who arrived in the island-nation of Sri Lanka (and 'mingled' with the local inhabitants), the Burghers often stand out because of their curiously mixed features-grey eyes in an otherwise Dravid face, for instance.... A handsome and guileless people, the Burghers have always lived it up, forever willing to 'put a party'. Carl Muller, a Burgher himself, writes in this quasi-fictional, engaging biography of the lives of his people; they emerge, at the end of his story, as a race of fun-loving, hardy people, much like the jam fruit tree which simply refuses to be contained or destroyed. |
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Page 81
... Brea and knew at last that this was the answer to the sweet mystery of life . He loved her to distraction . B. Elva , determined to score one over her cocky younger sister , Beryl , was as set on marrying Sonnaboy as Bertie was on ...
... Brea and knew at last that this was the answer to the sweet mystery of life . He loved her to distraction . B. Elva , determined to score one over her cocky younger sister , Beryl , was as set on marrying Sonnaboy as Bertie was on ...
Page 82
... Brea's pet name for Beryl ) no ? ' D. Sonnaboy , who began to call Beryl ' Buiya ' ( a term Beryl deplored ) said it was Beryl or nobody and this led to words . ' Don't come here again , ' Florrie screeched . E. Iris Holdenbottle , a ...
... Brea's pet name for Beryl ) no ? ' D. Sonnaboy , who began to call Beryl ' Buiya ' ( a term Beryl deplored ) said it was Beryl or nobody and this led to words . ' Don't come here again , ' Florrie screeched . E. Iris Holdenbottle , a ...
Page 83
... Brea had been firm . ' My Buiya is too small and studying also . Every night I think about this and praying to Saint Anthony also . If like he can marry my Elva . Can marry any time he wants and I will give this house and go and live in ...
... Brea had been firm . ' My Buiya is too small and studying also . Every night I think about this and praying to Saint Anthony also . If like he can marry my Elva . Can marry any time he wants and I will give this house and go and live in ...
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Common terms and phrases
Anna baby beef Beryl bloody Bloss bottle bring British brothers brought buggers Burgher cake called Carloboy carried Cecilprins child Christmas church Colombo Colontota coming considered course court daughter door drink eggs Elaine Elsie Elva Eric everything eyes face Father fellow Florrie fruit gate gave George getting girl give hand head Iris keep kitchen knew lady Lane Leah legs letter listen live look Lord Mama manner marry Maudiegirl months morning mother moved never never mind nice night nodded Opel Papa poor railway road shouting Sinhalese Sonnaboy sort sure talk tell thing thought told took Totoboy tree turned Viva wait wedding whole wife woman write