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harryreadbook's review against another edition
2.5
This was a fine book about how awful the British were in India/Burma. I think I just like Orwell better when it's not a novel. He has such great observations and writes in detail, but it hits harder when he's describing something real. I think this is based heavily on reality, but his characters are maybe even too flawed for my liking. Anyway, it was fine and everyone got a deserved ending.
ajkhn's review against another edition
4.0
A good person recommended this book, and you should be warned like I was: no small part of it reads like the George Orwell's first book it is. Lots of awful Englishmen, not-much-better Burmese, and a few half-decent Indians. It's a great book, but/and it's basically EM Forester taking place in a Graham Greene setting. That's good! It's a fascinating contemporary look at empire and all of the weirdnesses therein. The cowardly protagonist is a bit of a Symbol of the Modern Man and all, but he's at least sympathetic and interesting.
It was a great thing to read while in Silicon Valley. Empire never dies, it just gets reskinned and all. There's probably a more thorough dissertation in all of this, but the only part of Orwell's Burma that doesn't fit in San Francisco is the extreme humidity.
As far as books and not my identification with them goes, it's a really good one. The grotesque protagonist, shadowy antagonist, and sheer character-ness of the characters make it very interesting. The emotional ride is very difficult. The bummer bachelor type is remarkable. It's definitely an identifiable, likable, book for a certain type of mid-20s dude. I'd be curious to hear what folks outside that demographic think of it.
It was a great thing to read while in Silicon Valley. Empire never dies, it just gets reskinned and all. There's probably a more thorough dissertation in all of this, but the only part of Orwell's Burma that doesn't fit in San Francisco is the extreme humidity.
As far as books and not my identification with them goes, it's a really good one. The grotesque protagonist, shadowy antagonist, and sheer character-ness of the characters make it very interesting. The emotional ride is very difficult. The bummer bachelor type is remarkable. It's definitely an identifiable, likable, book for a certain type of mid-20s dude. I'd be curious to hear what folks outside that demographic think of it.
taunusleserin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
George Orwells drittberühmtestes Buch nach "Animal Farm" und "1984", zugleich aber auch sein Debütroman aus dem Jahr 1934, in dem er seine eigenen Erlebnisse aus seiner Zeit von 1921 - 1927 als Offizier in Burma, dem heutigen Myanmar, verarbeitet.
Er ist ein wahnsinnig feinsinniger Beobachter, der wirklich keinen Aspekt auslässt. Es geht um Rassismus, die Überheblichkeit und Ignoranz der Briten gegenüber den Burmesen, um die Stellung der Frau in dieser Gesellschaft, um Übergriffigkeiten, darum, dass das 'Nein' einer Frau keinen Wert hat, darum, dass wirklich alle in dieser Erzählung auf ihren eigenen Vorteil bedacht sind. So spinnt beispielsweise der burmesische Distriktrichter U Po Kyin eine Intrige gegen den Arzt Dr. Veraswami, von der er sich erhofft, in den European Club aufgenommen zu werden. Dabei ist ihm jedes Mittel Recht. Aber auch jede*r der britischen Charaktere kommt nicht gut weg..... Sympathieträger gibt es in dem Buch nicht, Orwell beschreibt hier eine zutiefst kaputte Gesellschaft; es ist schmerzhaft, schonungslos und damit äußert brillant.
Ein absoluter Überraschungshit für mich, da ich eher schwere Lektüre erwartet habe; der Roman ist aber aufgrund seiner genauen Beobachtungen, seiner Vielfältigkeit und seiner zeitlosen Sprache schnell und spannend zu lesen.
Er ist ein wahnsinnig feinsinniger Beobachter, der wirklich keinen Aspekt auslässt. Es geht um Rassismus, die Überheblichkeit und Ignoranz der Briten gegenüber den Burmesen, um die Stellung der Frau in dieser Gesellschaft, um Übergriffigkeiten, darum, dass das 'Nein' einer Frau keinen Wert hat, darum, dass wirklich alle in dieser Erzählung auf ihren eigenen Vorteil bedacht sind. So spinnt beispielsweise der burmesische Distriktrichter U Po Kyin eine Intrige gegen den Arzt Dr. Veraswami, von der er sich erhofft, in den European Club aufgenommen zu werden. Dabei ist ihm jedes Mittel Recht. Aber auch jede*r der britischen Charaktere kommt nicht gut weg..... Sympathieträger gibt es in dem Buch nicht, Orwell beschreibt hier eine zutiefst kaputte Gesellschaft; es ist schmerzhaft, schonungslos und damit äußert brillant.
Ein absoluter Überraschungshit für mich, da ich eher schwere Lektüre erwartet habe; der Roman ist aber aufgrund seiner genauen Beobachtungen, seiner Vielfältigkeit und seiner zeitlosen Sprache schnell und spannend zu lesen.
yungste's review against another edition
4.0
Very realistic depiction of unrequited love and insecurity
elleneam's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting enough book and critique of colonialism in India. I found the characters a bit unlikeable, but I guess that is the point, showing how the system made people very snobby and insular. The writing itself is very good though and I like how you know which character it is just from the style he's writing in even though the whole book is in the third person.
thebookclubmks's review against another edition
'Burmese Days' was the first novel of George Orwell, published in 1934. The book was based on the
writer's experiences living in British Burma (Myanmar) as a police officer during the 1920s. The story revolves around the Burmese, the British and Indians who lived in a small town by the name Kyauktada. There is a main story which was mostly narrated by Flory, an Englishman; and several side stories which were told by different characters.
Through the eyes of the narrators, the reader learns of not only the Burmese culture of the time, but also
the livelihood, challenges, hardships and cultural differences of the native and non-native people in British Burma.
In addition, we understand about the strong racist attitudes, abuses, and unfair treatment of Burmese and Indians, and the derogatory language and approach towards women.
*Review by Ladan
writer's experiences living in British Burma (Myanmar) as a police officer during the 1920s. The story revolves around the Burmese, the British and Indians who lived in a small town by the name Kyauktada. There is a main story which was mostly narrated by Flory, an Englishman; and several side stories which were told by different characters.
Through the eyes of the narrators, the reader learns of not only the Burmese culture of the time, but also
the livelihood, challenges, hardships and cultural differences of the native and non-native people in British Burma.
In addition, we understand about the strong racist attitudes, abuses, and unfair treatment of Burmese and Indians, and the derogatory language and approach towards women.
*Review by Ladan
mankamon's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75