Burma Boy
Published on 5. June 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-09-948898-9 (ISBN)
Description
A few months ago fourteen-year-old Ali Banana was apprenticed to a whip-wielding blacksmith in his rural hometown. Now its winter 1944, the war is entering its most crucial stage and Ali is a private in Thunder Brigade. His unit has been given orders to go behind enemy lines and wreak havoc. But the Burmese jungle is a mud-riven, treacherous place, riddled with Japanese snipers, insanity and disease.
Burma Boy is a horrific, vividly realised account of the madness, the sacrifice and the dark humour of the Second World War's most vicious battleground. It's also the moving story of a boy trying to live long enough to become a man.
Burma Boy is a horrific, vividly realised account of the madness, the sacrifice and the dark humour of the Second World War's most vicious battleground. It's also the moving story of a boy trying to live long enough to become a man.
Reviews / Votes
As humane, ridiculous and moving as Waugh's novels of the world at war -- Ronan Bennett A gripping narrative - by turns pathetic, comic and exciting * Sunday Times * Fascinating...unusual...invigorating...and very funny * Observer * A superb Second World War adventure... tender and funny * The Times * Vividly recreates the violence and drama of a forgotten war, describing the camaraderie between fighting men with humour and compassion -- Maggie Gee A novel that resonates across the pages with the narrative mastery of the griot's voice -- Wole Soyinka A hauntingly beautiful elegy for those who killed and died in the service of a history that was not their own. Like Ha Jin's magisterial War Trash, Burma Boy wields the two greatest weapons in the novelist's arsenal - imagination and empathy - to shattering effect -- James Schamus, producer Brokeback Mountain and The Ice Storm Original ...often very funny. A magical book -- Kevin MacDonald, Director: The Last King of Scotland A riveting read, convincingly imagined and cinematically told. Bandele is a gifted storyteller -- Linton Kwesi Johnson A truly fantastic book. A caesarean cut through terrifying and hilarious history -- Sven LindqvistMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 200 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
157 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-09-948898-9 (9780099488989)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Biyi Bandele is an award-winning novelist, playwright and director. He was born in Kafanchan, Nigeria in 1967, the son of a veteran of the Burma campaign. His plays have been seen at the Royal Court Theatre, the Gate Theatre, the Barbican, and have been performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. He lives in London. In 2006 he was named by the Independent as one of Africa's fifty most important artists.