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 15
... Mama had whacked him and that was balm to his soul . Mama loved him . It took a long time for Eric to summon the courage to tell Cecilprins of his intentions . The latter was impressed . Runty little fellow , to be sure , but steady ...
... Mama had whacked him and that was balm to his soul . Mama loved him . It took a long time for Eric to summon the courage to tell Cecilprins of his intentions . The latter was impressed . Runty little fellow , to be sure , but steady ...
Page 94
... Mama told him to marry me and telling to give me to police fellows . Damn cheek of him . And here I listening to Mama and won't go with anyone else because Mama says I can marry him anytime he like . ' Iris was puzzled . ' If so , then ...
... Mama told him to marry me and telling to give me to police fellows . Damn cheek of him . And here I listening to Mama and won't go with anyone else because Mama says I can marry him anytime he like . ' Iris was puzzled . ' If so , then ...
Page 101
... Mama had decided on Bertie , she obviously didn't entertain hopes of Sonnaboy marrying Elva . So maybe she may consent to Sonnaboy marrying her . She decided to test the temperature . ' Mama , why that Sonnaboy not coming now ...
... Mama had decided on Bertie , she obviously didn't entertain hopes of Sonnaboy marrying Elva . So maybe she may consent to Sonnaboy marrying her . She decided to test the temperature . ' Mama , why that Sonnaboy not coming now ...
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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