Burma Sahib
{{Short description|2024 novel by Paul Theroux}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{infobox book |
| name = Burma Sahib
| image = Burma_Sahib_cover.jpg
| caption = Front cover
| author = Paul Theroux
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| genre =
| publisher = Hamish Hamilton (UK, 2024)
| english_release_date =
| media_type = Print
| pages = 400
| isbn = 978-0063297548
| dewey =
| congress =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
Burma Sahib is a historical novel by American author Paul Theroux, published in 2024. The narrative offers a fictionalized account of George Orwell’s early life, focusing on his tenure as a colonial police officer in Burma (now Myanmar) during the 1920s. The novel explores the formative experiences that influenced Orwell’s later literary works and political views.
Plot summary
Set in the 1920s, Burma Sahib follows Eric Blair (later known by his pen name, George Orwell) as he serves in the Indian Imperial Police in British-ruled Burma. Drawing from historical records and Orwell’s own writings, Theroux reconstructs Blair’s internal conflicts and disillusionment with colonial rule. The narrative delves into Blair’s personal and professional challenges, including his interactions with colonial society and his evolving perspective on imperialism.
Reception
According to the literary review aggregator Book Marks, the book received a "positive" consensus based on eight reviews. There were four "rave" reviews, three "positive", and one "mixed".{{Cite web |title=Burma Sahib|url=https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/burma-sahib/|access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Book Marks |language=en-US}}
William Boyd in The New York Times wrote that the "The Burma that he conjures in these pages is wonderfully present in lush and dense prose ... Theroux is now in his early 80s and this novel is one of his finest, in a long and redoubtable oeuvre. The talent is in remarkable shape."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/05/books/review/george-orwell-burma-sahib-paul-theroux.html|title=Before He Was George Orwell, He Was Eric Blair, Police Officer|last=Boyd|first=William|author-link=William Boyd (writer)|date= 5 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |access-date=23 April 2025}}
Toby Lichtig writing in The Wall Street Journal was more critical commenting that "The examination of Blair’s divided self is intriguing, if heavy-handed. Mr. Theroux has done his research and, although he wears his learning gaudily, many readers will enjoy the bright display. But the frequent repetitions and hectoring tone are less forgivable."{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/burma-sahib-review-orwell-on-imperial-patrol-3259985b|title=‘Burma Sahib’ Review: Orwell on Imperial Patrol|author=Lichtig, Toby|author-link=Toby Lichtig|date= 2 February 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=23 April 2025}}
Lara Feigel in a generally positive review in The Guardian, suggested that "the evils of empire are brought to life in this fascinating imagining of Orwell’s days as a colonial policeman, but the perspective of Burmese people is sidelined."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/21/burma-sahib-by-paul-theroux-review-how-eric-blair-became-george-orwell|title=Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux review – how Eric Blair became George Orwell|author=Feigel, Laura|author-link=Laura Feigel|date=28 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |access-date=23 April 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.paultheroux.com/theburmasahibgame}}
{{Paul Theroux}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mosquito Coast}}
Category:Novels set in Myanmar