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 11
... Florrie's dissection . ' But you don't know my daughter even . ' Sonnaboy nodded . ' Can I see her ? ' Florrie said no . She was a schoolgirl . A good girl . An innocent girl . She must study . She was still a child . Her little patiya ...
... Florrie's dissection . ' But you don't know my daughter even . ' Sonnaboy nodded . ' Can I see her ? ' Florrie said no . She was a schoolgirl . A good girl . An innocent girl . She must study . She was still a child . Her little patiya ...
Page 83
... Florrie had her rights . Beryl was under age and there was nothing that could be done . Sonnaboy was furious . Who wants to marry Elva ? I love Beryl . ' Florrie gave Maudiegirl a pained look . If so let wait for six years . ' ' Six ...
... Florrie had her rights . Beryl was under age and there was nothing that could be done . Sonnaboy was furious . Who wants to marry Elva ? I love Beryl . ' Florrie gave Maudiegirl a pained look . If so let wait for six years . ' ' Six ...
Page 106
... Florrie who was staring white - faced at the ruins of her gate . ' She must be the one ! ' he thundered , ' Otherwise why ran like that . Bloody bitch , writing all these letters and putting Beryl , Beryl and taking everything ...
... Florrie who was staring white - faced at the ruins of her gate . ' She must be the one ! ' he thundered , ' Otherwise why ran like that . Bloody bitch , writing all these letters and putting Beryl , Beryl and taking everything ...
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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