Skip to product information
1 of 1

Finding George Orwell In Burma

Finding George Orwell In Burma

3.96 (rated by 3643 readers on Goodreads)
Regular price $14.69
Sold out
Buy the book from:
From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. The author, an American journalist fluent in Burmese, writing under a pseudonym, notes that there's a joke in Burma (now Myanmar) that Orwell wrote not one novel about the country, but three: Burmese Days, Animal Farm and 1984. The first takes place during the British colonial days, while the latter two, Larkin argues, more closely reflect the situation there today. "Truth is true only within a certain period of time," she quotes a regime spokesman saying after a 1988 uprising. "What was truth once may no longer be truth after many months or years." Indeed, providing an accurate representation of Burmese life proves daunting, as Larkin encounters a nation bristling with informants and paranoia. Her language skills, however, allow her to glean information and mingle with the country's reserved and cautious intelligentsia. In addition to Larkin's depiction of the political landscape, the book also features wonderfully vibrant descriptions of the land and people. Larkin's prose is striking and understated, and she allows the people she meets to speak their parts without editorializing. In this way, she comes across not as an idealist but rather as an inquisitive and trustworthy guide to the underlying reality of a country whose leaders would rather have outsiders focus only on their carefully constructed veneer. "All you had to do, it seemed," Larkin writes, "was scratch the surface of one of the town's smiling residents and you would find bitterness or tears." Her efforts have resulted in a lucid and insightful illustration of truly Orwellian circumstances.

Details of Book

ISBN13: 9781594200526
ISBN10: 1594200521
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Press
Publication Year: 2005
Format: Hardcover

Related Collections:

A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

View full details
  • One Line Summary

    Uncover Burma's Orwellian reality through insightful journalism.

  • Who is this book for?

    If you're curious about the intertwining of literature and real-world political struggles, this book provides an eye-opening look into Burmese life through the lens of Orwellian themes. The author's vivid descriptions and thoughtful insights make it a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the subtleties of authoritarian regimes and the enduring human spirit amidst repression.

Your cart
Bookshop Total Quantity Price Total
Thryft - Used (Like New)Thryft is a trusted platform for quality secondhand books at great prices.
Thryft - Used (Like New)Thryft is a trusted platform for quality secondhand books at great prices.
$14.69/ea
$0.00
Sold out
$14.69/ea $0.00

View cart
0

Total items

$0.00

Subtotal

View cart