I’ve read several of Paul Theroux’s nonfiction books (having just finished The Last Train to Zone Verde), primarily travelogues with deep insights into his various journeys, but this is my first foray into his fiction. I am delighted that he carries through with his usual marvelous depictions of people and places foreign to most readers, in this case Burma of the early 20th century. In Burma Sahib, he fictionalizes the life of George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm and 1984. The story follows the primary character, Eric Arthur Blair, a quiet, standoffish, nineteen-year-old graduate of Eton who leaves his home and parents in England and journeys to Burma to be part of the British police there. He spends most of his sea voyage there reading. On arrival in Burma, he’s on probation and is transferred hither and yon because of his patchy performance. He never fits in, hating the drinking and boisterousness of his colleagues as they become sahibs. Over time, he becomes sympathetic to the Burmese and realizes that due to the cruelty of the British rule, the abject poverty of the locals, the exploitation of the land and the people, the British Empire is doomed. At length, when he returns home on medical leave, belly-up on the heels of a scandal, he drops out of society and researches the depths of London.
Theroux manages to show the gradual change in Blair’s personality as he sweats in Burma. Blair’s personality and personal growth are well-demonstrated throughout. Equally impressive are Theroux’s in-depth views of Burma and the various substations where Blair is stationed. Each spot has its own personality. Having lived in Asia for a time, I can attest that even one hundred years later, those shades of colonialism remain deeply imbedded.
********************
Burma Sahib(Mariner Books, February 6, 2024) is available through:
********************
This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
