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. |
From inside the book
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Page 81
... Leah to Kandana . Papa de Mello was displeased . ' Why she cannot stay here with us , ' he asked , ' Can help your mama also , no ? ' ' How to bring Leah here ? Whole day walking about without elastic in your pajamas and shouting the ...
... Leah to Kandana . Papa de Mello was displeased . ' Why she cannot stay here with us , ' he asked , ' Can help your mama also , no ? ' ' How to bring Leah here ? Whole day walking about without elastic in your pajamas and shouting the ...
Page 126
... Leah would help him lower the load and watch breathlessly as he untied the bundle and display enough books to fill a goodish veranda . Daniel was a patient man . He did not mind that Leah would wallow in his books for half a morning ...
... Leah would help him lower the load and watch breathlessly as he untied the bundle and display enough books to fill a goodish veranda . Daniel was a patient man . He did not mind that Leah would wallow in his books for half a morning ...
Page 184
... Leah's operation , after she has washed her hands thoroughly and scrubbed them dry on a clean towel . Carloboy had been appalled to see Aunty Leah at work last year ( when the in - laws had gathered to make Beryl's cake ) and the sight ...
... Leah's operation , after she has washed her hands thoroughly and scrubbed them dry on a clean towel . Carloboy had been appalled to see Aunty Leah at work last year ( when the in - laws had gathered to make Beryl's cake ) and the sight ...
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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