When the Japanese troops invade Burma during World War II, a group of British colonialists plan to escape to India. Paterson, the manager of a rice miWhen the Japanese troops invade Burma during World War II, a group of British colonialists plan to escape to India. Paterson, the manager of a rice mill, organizes cars filled with people, tents, food, water, and gasoline. Two of the passengers are native Burmese--Paterson's mistress and her brother who cooks and does other chores. Paterson treats them both with a gentle affection, and they are loyal and uncomplaining.
A few of the British stop to offer medical aid to the Burmese. The other snobbish British passengers fight over unimportant things, feel very superior to the natives, and are generally unlikable. The women characters were portrayed too often as seductive, even one woman who was critically ill with a high fever. In addition to fearing the advancing Japanese, there are rumors of cholera, breakdowns of vehicles, crowded narrow roads, and more to add to the drama. The good descriptions show us the dirt, dust, and heat on the road as well as the colorful natural beauty of Burma. The interesting story captured the conflicts between people, and the danger faced by the fleeing expats. 3.5 stars....more
This tender love story is about the enduring love between two people separated for decades. Julia's father disappeared without leaving a note, and sheThis tender love story is about the enduring love between two people separated for decades. Julia's father disappeared without leaving a note, and she finds a love letter that he had written to a woman in Burma where he spent his childhood. Julia traveled from New York to the village where her father's first love lived. She finds out how difficult her father's early life in the 1940s had been. Both dealing with handicaps, her father and the woman had been perfect complements to each other, and formed a deep love.
The story was told so the reader feels like they are being drawn into an exotic fable. The author uses wonderful sensual prose so you can see, hear, smell, and feel the surroundings in the Burmese village. Julia occasionally seemed very strident which detracted from the lyrical quality of the story. 3 1/2 stars....more