The Long Day Wanes: A Malayan Trilogy #3) - Beds in the East
Anthony Burgess [Burgess, Anthony]
(critical review of Derk Collet, DEC 9, 2015 @goodreads - three of 5 stars only:)
NB. This review refers to all three parts of the Malayan Trilogy.
Here is Burgess a long way below his brilliant best in this very early outing. However, being Burgess, all three books certainly have their moments. Book 1 is the best, followed by Book 3, with the middle volume bringing up the rear.
All three books follow the fortunes of British teacher Victor Crabbe as he makes his way around Malaya teaching the natives. The story unfolds episodically, in fits and starts, with lots of different characters having their say. There are some memorable set-pieces, but not enough to hold the interest of this reader. Time for a Tiger is the best of these three books principally because it features Nabby Adams, a lazy, feckless, immoral, dipsomaniacal British soldier hilariously on the make and always on the lookout for the main chance. Sadly, he is absent from the other two volumes.
Burgess spends lots of time discussing political, social and cultural matters. Although interesting in parts, this material drains much of the pace out of the narrative. Also, by permitting us to hear so many different voices, the author unwittingly makes his books rather stodgy and formless. There are flashes of Burgess's characteristic wit and wordplay here but not enough to make up for the book's other deficiencies. There are some deliciously bonkers minor characters and plenty of enjoyable incidents but, taken as a whole, the trilogy is notable for how exhausting and frustrating it is to read.
NB. This review refers to all three parts of the Malayan Trilogy.
Here is Burgess a long way below his brilliant best in this very early outing. However, being Burgess, all three books certainly have their moments. Book 1 is the best, followed by Book 3, with the middle volume bringing up the rear.
All three books follow the fortunes of British teacher Victor Crabbe as he makes his way around Malaya teaching the natives. The story unfolds episodically, in fits and starts, with lots of different characters having their say. There are some memorable set-pieces, but not enough to hold the interest of this reader. Time for a Tiger is the best of these three books principally because it features Nabby Adams, a lazy, feckless, immoral, dipsomaniacal British soldier hilariously on the make and always on the lookout for the main chance. Sadly, he is absent from the other two volumes.
Burgess spends lots of time discussing political, social and cultural matters. Although interesting in parts, this material drains much of the pace out of the narrative. Also, by permitting us to hear so many different voices, the author unwittingly makes his books rather stodgy and formless. There are flashes of Burgess's characteristic wit and wordplay here but not enough to make up for the book's other deficiencies. There are some deliciously bonkers minor characters and plenty of enjoyable incidents but, taken as a whole, the trilogy is notable for how exhausting and frustrating it is to read.
Kateqoriyalar:
Tom:
vol. 3 of the trilogy
İl:
1959
Nəşr:
re-ed. 2010
Dil:
english
Seriyalar:
The Long Day Wanes: A Malayan Trilogy
Fayl:
EPUB, 186 KB
IPFS:
,
english, 1959
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble 
Bookshop.org
Kitab mağazasını əlavə etmək istəyirsiniz? Bizimlə support@z-lib.fm ilə əlaqə saxlayın
Faylları çevirin
Daha çox axtarış nəticəsi
Digər üstünlüklər 
Açar ifadələr
Əlaqəli Kitab Siyahıları
