Once Upon a Tender Time

by Carl Muller

Once Upon a Tender Time, a poignant tale of childhood, is the concluding part of Carl Muller''s Burgher trilogy. The Burghers of Sri Lanka, hardy and fun-loving, produce children by the dozen - but often forget them. Carloboy Prins von Bloss and his companions are usually considered a pain in the neck by the adults they encounter as they go about the serious business of discovering the world and, primarily, the facts of life. Romps in the backyard, trysts in deserted houses and long bicycle rides to discover true love are commonplace. Also frequent are thrashings as adults try to discipline these `devils''. But there are happier moments too - vacations spent roaming and hunting in the beautiful Sri Lankan jungles; trips to the favourite bookshop to browse and perhaps buy the latest Captain Marvel comic; and the signal honour of riding on the engine because dad is the engine driver... Unusual, enchanting and unforgettable, this memoir of a singular childhood should further enhance the award-winning author''s already considerable reputation.

Genres: Fiction

235 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2000

About the author

Carl Muller was born in 1935 in Kandy. As a young man he joined the Royal Ceylon Navy, then briefly served in the Ceylon Army and later joined the Colombo Port Commission. He moved into journalism and worked in the Middle East. He is a prolific writer having written poetry, fiction, a children’s book, short stories, historical fiction, a collection of essays and monographs. He has won many awards and prizes for his writing. He is best known for The Jam Fruit Tree (1993) which won the Gratiaen Prize for that year. He currently lives in Kandy.
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Reviews

[Melanie Perera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very raw and quite relatable if you grew up in Sri Lanka, have a burgher connection and/or have a railway connection. Also stands true to this day on how events and people (adults especially) shapes a child's thinking and attitude.

[Gayathri Mohan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Struggled with the language and the content.

[Amalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now I got issues with Carl Muller's writing. He is a talented writer, witty and hilarious and in this novel we learn much more about Carloboy Von Bloss and his childhood. If they are accurate (according to the writer, they really are) I can understand the anger he has towards his parents, or may be for the entire family, specially towards his mother. But I don't think he wins the sympathy of the reader because of his phrasing, choice of words and writing style.

I skippped a bulk in early chapters when he writes about child abuse, Really, what's wrong with Muller? Why can't he write using decent language even about the worst things that can happen to a child? I found the novel disturbing in that sense and I don't know what goes through the people who give 4 stars for this. Just because I'm a Sri Lankan I'm not going to say this book is "reall good" because it's not. Those who have read Yakada Yaka, please enjoy that hilarious novel and stop there, you'll regret reading this one. It says "the Concluding Part of the Von Bloss Family Saga" well, I'd say hallelujah!

[Vijai Jayaram · Rating 3 out of 5]

after the first 2 books in the trilogy, this one started getting a bit repetitive. esp the teacher student relationships. but carloboy is a great character n the book is not without its charm.