Burma Sahib
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 Front cover | |
| Author | Paul Theroux |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Hamish Hamilton (UK, 2024) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 400 |
| ISBN | 978-0063297548 |
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.
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.