Finding George Orwell in Burma
In England, the title is Secret Histories: Finding George Orwell in a Burmese Tea Shop. I like that one better.
Emma Larkin
2005
304 pages
Published by The Penguin Press
Christmas loot (which means I bought this one with the gift card that HB gave me for Christmas)
********************
I read this book more for the setting (Burma) than the connection to George Orwell, although I did happen to be listening to 1984 at the same time (purely a coincidence…also, I’m still listening to 1984, because damn, that section with Emmanuel Goldstein’s book is B.O.R.I.N.G.).
So the author, Emma Larkin (which is a pseudonym, because criticizing Burma is a no-no if you ever want to visit Burma again) is a journalist who spent some time traveling around Burma to all of the places where George Orwell (also a pseudonym, by the way…his real name was Eric Blair) had gone before. Orwell served in the Indian Imperial Police in the 1920s. He also had grandparents who lived in Burma once upon a time. So there were plenty of places for Larkin to visit and “find” Orwell.
As Larkin follows in the footsteps of Orwell, she talks quite a bit about three of his books. First, there’s Burmese Days, because, hello, it’s Burma. And quite a few of Orwell’s experiences in Burma are reflected in the novel. And then there’s 1984 and Animal Farm, because both of those novels discuss totalitarianism. And Burma is about as totalitarian as you can get. Which is weird, because it wasn’t when Orwell was there. Well, it was ruled by England, but that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax, so to speak. Modern Burma (excuse me…Myanmar) is a totalitarian state that, at times, bears an eerie similarity to Orwell’s Oceania. Not to mention the pigs in Animal Farm.
As usual, my attempt at explaining this is all jumbled (not to mention parenthetical). It really is quite interesting…both the glimpse into Burma (Larkin also speaks to many Burmese…about their country, their love of reading, and Orwell), as well as Orwell’s experiences and writings. It’s also a little frightening as to how much Orwell’s books reflect a Burma that didn’t even exist when he wrote the books. You certainly don’t need to be a fan of Orwell to appreciate the book. But if you love either 1984 or Animal Farm or even Burmese Days (no, I haven’t read that one, and it sounds majorly depressing…not that his other books are all hearts and flowers and happily ever afters) or you love reading about places you normally don’t hear much about (and chances are, will never, ever get to go to, especially if you compare the leaders to pigs in a certain book that is highly critical of piggy actions), then I’d suggest giving this book a try.
This sounds in interesting. I really know very little about Burma but met many people that traveled there while I was in Cambodia and Vietnam.
It is funny that the title is changed in the UK version (or the other way around, depending on which came first!) – I wouldn’t assume from the UK version that the book is set in Burma but rather a tea shop in England owned by Burmese.
Anyhow – thanks for highlighting this book!
Colleen´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- April 24- 2011
I’ve read 1984 three times now, and I admit I skip/skim the section where he’s reading the book every single time.
I have read a couple by Orwell in the past, and can’t say that he’s a favorite, so I might just have to skip this book. It is interesting that he wrote about totalitarianism before Burma’s time though. A little creepy too.
I like the sound of this one too…I’m trying to limit the number of books I add to my TBR but this one is definitely getting on the shelf
Patti Smith´s last [type] ..Hurry- End of the Semester- Hurry!
Sounds interesting – mostly because, to be honest, I don’t know anything about Burma. Other than human rights abuses – not exactly the cheeriest picture painted. Also, I had no idea George Orwell was a pseudonym (although I can understand now why he would use one, seeing as how critical he was of Burma in so many of his books). You learn something new every day! Thanks so much for a wonderful review!
I actually liked Burmese Days. My husband and I read it together and had many lively discussions over it- you might want to give it a try. Not quite as depressing as it sounds!
Jeane´s last [type] ..Seedfolks
This looks like the type of nonfiction I’d like to read. I had no idea that Orwell had that connection to Burma. I read 1984 last year (or the year before that?) and it was eerie. Now I’m curious about the parallels with Burma.
Alyce´s last [type] ..In Stitches – Review & Giveaway
Lovely, lovely use of the parantheticals! I love me some paranthesis. And this book sounds curiously interesting. I’ve never read Orwell, now I kinda want to try. Hm…. That was never in the plans before!
Heather´s last [type] ..A Must Read – Shine by Lauren Myracle
I know nothing about this book except for what you just told me, but I wanted to say that I am listening to 1984 and Animal Farm right now (coinkeedinkee) and it’s killing me. I may have to pull out the books because with audio, unless it’s an engaging reader, I float off into la-la land. I’ve read them numerous times, but it’s a bit different now. You know, with age and all.
Ti´s last [type] ..Winner of The Four Ms Bradwells
I did like 1984, and your review has made me curious, so I’d like to give this one a try.
I have actually read 1984 and Animal Farm, both against my will, and I didn’t love either of them, but this book sounds fantastic! I have heard all good things about Emma Larkin!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review- How Shakespeare Changed Everything- Stephen Marche
This sounds like one of those books I will find frustrating due to content and yet be intellectually happy in my frustration….
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review- Pox
I wanted to read this book sometime back, and then, as it happens, it just fell off my radar. I love George Orwell (or well, the three books I’ve read by him), so I think I’d enjoy this as well. Not read Burmese Days yet though – maybe I should read that first?
anothercookiecrumbles´s last [type] ..An Assortment Of Bookish Links
This one sounds interesting, pending my reaction to Animal Farm! If I like it, I’ll definitely look into this one; if not, I’ll most likely pass!
Erin´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Looking Back April and Time Out
Big fan of the parentheses (bring it on!)
Christmas loot (the gift that keeps on giving).
Adding to my wish list (thanks for the rec).
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking- spaghetti and meatballs cake!
I love author biographies, I love travel writing, I love intrepid girl reporters, I’m going to need to read this at some point in the near soon future…
I’m glad you liked this one! I did a project on George Orwell’s journalism a couple years ago and have had this on my TBR pile since, just never seem to grab it which is a shame.
George Orwell is one of those authors (and there aren’t many) who I never actually contemplated as being a real person. Maybe because the books by him that I’ve read don’t seem tied to a particular time or place? Or maybe because I haven’t read him since school and I wasn’t thinking along those lines (author = actual human) then? In any case: hi!
Ali´s last [type] ..Nothing is Quite Forgotten in Brooklyn-book review