About this title: Orwell wrote this novel after his experiences in Burma, where, instead of going to university, he served for five years working for the British government as a member of the Indian Imperial Police--a post he resigned because he felt he could no longer support the repressive colonial system. In BURMESE DAYS, Orwell's insights into Burmese culture ...
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Description: Fair. Purchasing this DVD supports the North Central Regional Library. Thriftbooks and NCRL have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Library ID found on DVD and case. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: New. 0156148501 NEVER USED! This book has never been read. There are no highlights, No pen marks, No missing pages. The binding is sturdy. Tracking information provided for all orders. Orders over $49.99 will receive an upgrade from standard to priority mail. Customer satisfaction guaranteed! ! read more
Description: New. 0156148501 NEVER USED! This book has never been read. There are no highlights, No pen marks, No missing pages. The binding is sturdy. Tracking information provided for all orders. Orders over $49.99 will receive an upgrade from standard to priority mail. Customer satisfaction guaranteed! ! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Mariner Books
Date Published: 1974-03-20
ISBN-13:9780156148504ISBN:0156148501
Description: Like New. Paperback. Book has been read but remains in great shape. You are buying a Book in LIKE-NEW condition with very light shelf wear to include very light edge and corner wear. Buy it Now! ! ! As always, thank you for buying this book from International Book Source, YOUR ONE source FOR ALL your BOOK related NEEDS. Please remember to CHOOSE carefully how QUICKLY you would like to RECEIVE this material FAST, or standard (on next page). Thanks again! ! ! ! read more
Description: Fine. 0156148501 NEVER USED! This book has never been read. There are no highlights, No pen marks, No missing pages. The binding is sturdy. This book may have slight shelf wear. Upgraded shipping on orders over $49.99. Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Edition: Underlined, Notations
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Time Incorporated
Date Published: 1962
Description: Very good. Very minimal damage to the cover (no holes or tears, only minimal scuff marks), in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, minimal to no highlighting/under. read more
Edition: Underlined, Notations
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Time Incorporated
Date Published: 1962
Description: Like New. May be shiny, in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, no damage to binding, may have a remainder mark. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1963
Description: Very Good. An average used paperback with wear, corner bumps, small creases, light stains, etc. Binding is tight and square. Text is clean and bright. Careful packaging and fast shipping. We recommend PRIORITY MAIL for even faster delivery! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Time Incorporated
Date Published: 1962
Description: Good. Inroduction by Malcolm Muggeridge, slight page discoloration, pages are very good (no marks or highlighting) In stock, ships same or next day. read more
"In Burmese Days, George Orwell comments on society and imperialism. The story is based around U Po Kyin, a magistrate, and Dr Veraswami. Each wants an affiliation to the European club. Their dispute ends up drafting a British timber merchant, John Florey and something happens. But I'm not going to tell you what: I am attempting to make this, and all, of my book reviews as spoiler free as possible.
When I read this book I found that the first 15 chapters were good. From 15-23 they got really good - things were coming together. But once I read the closing two chapters I was bowled over - this was the best ending to a novel I had ever read. All of the elements fell perfectly into place. The book that I had spent hours on end reading came together in the best way imaginable. If you don't like the ending I'll be amazed.
Another quite incredible feature of the book is the way in which he is able to link romance, culture and social commentary together with his characters. But the most fantastic thing about his use of romance is that it is in no way soppy. The romance enhances the social commentary without getting side tracked.
Burmese Days is a fabulous work of fiction and if you have not read it I would strongly recommend you do - you don't know what you are missing. If, however, you have read the book, read it again - you can pick up quite a bit on a second reading."
"I never would have picked this book up had it not been for a friend's recommendation. I tried reading it a couple of times and never got very far until a concentrated burst of determination got me past the first hundred pages. I would say that I'm glad I finally did.
One of the best (and maybe worst...) qualities of the book is Orwell's ability to describe in detail the setting of India at the end of the British colonialism. This ability is most tangibly noticed in Orwell's constant description of the temperature and the heat of Burma. What I originally took to be one of the most uncomfortable parts of the book, upon reflection, turns out to be one of its best assets. As you read the book, you can almost feel the flies, the heat, and the way the incessant humidity of the area would make a person's shirt stick to their body.
While it is tough at times to relate to and accept the automatic customs and preconceived notions of status, class, alcoholism, and racism of people during that time frame, the reader eventually falls into line. The most important thing to remember when reading this book, at least the first time through, is to not dwell on the meanings of individual Burmese phrases or language. They are repeated enough throughout the book that eventually, most of their meanings can be easily inferred.
A good read that, if nothing else, takes you away to a different time and place with characters that are, for the most part, fairly unpredictable."
"This is Orwell's first published work of fiction, and having read all of his other fiction and longer non-fiction books, it is the final major work of his I will have the opportunity to read. As Orwell is one of my favorite authors for a number of reasons, I of course have to read all of his work. The reasons I love Orwell are many: The honesty and decency of his character which shows throughout his body of work, the plain and frank nature of his prose - still so refreshing, and the bold and brave (even heroic) nature of his life. Like Bertrand Russell, he was more than just one person - where Russell was both philosopher and social crusader, Orwell was novelist, journalist and freedom fighter.
To Orwell neophytes, I recommend (of course) '1984' and 'Animal Farm', and simultaneously his non-fiction 'Road to Wigan Pier'*, 'Homage to Catalonia' and 'Down and Out in Paris and London'. They are all essential. More difficult is choosing among his earlier fiction. I would rank 'Burmese Days', along with 'A Clergyman's Daughter', being the earliest two novels, as not as deftly constructed as 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and 'Coming Up For Air' (as well as his final fiction works, '1984' and 'Animal Farm'). His essays are of course absolutely essential, absolutely foundation, absolutely indispensable to all readers, and I wholeheartedly recommend a collection of his best essays to anyone.
With 'Burmese Days', Orwell puts into fiction his experiences as an officer in the British Empire in Burma. Explanations and summaries can be found elsewhere of the work itself. I found the style crisp, smart and efficient, if perhaps a bit long. As a young author, perhaps Orwell felt the need to make his novel longer than it needs to be so as to fit the mold of a adventurous, romantic novel of its genre, as opposed to the social commentary which underlies all of his work. His later works would get leaner and more intelligent. Throughout 'Burmese Days', there is an keen intelligence which glimmers behind the story, evident in every scene. For someone with such a non-literary upbringing, his first novel is a very great accomplishment.
* For those who have read Frank McCourt's ''Tis', I recommend 'Road to Wigan Pier', from which McCourt seems to have lifted entire passages detailing the squalor of mine workers' living conditions in Wigan, transplanting them to McCourt's childhood. My father alleges the lifting is almost literal."
"Once into this book, it's a "can't stop 'til I finish" book. After reading Emma Larkins "Finding Orwell," Burmese Days was a fascinating combination of Orwell's personal life, his passion and convictions and an amazing historically fictional account of British colonial days in Burma. Unfortunately, I was reading a book printed and purchased in Burma about 10 years ago. . .the printed page was substandard; ink seemed to fade down the page and I had to turn the book almost sideways to read a few pages. That said, the book was well worth the eye-strain. I don't think I've ever read a book in which nearly all the good guys lose and the bad guys win; great insight into Orwell and the times."
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