The Road to Mandalay: A Tale of Burma

by B.M. Croker

"The Road to Mandalay" by B. M. Croker. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Genres: Classics

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1917

About the author

Bithia Mary (or May) Croker (née Sheppard, c. 1848-1920) was an Irish novelist, most of whose work concerns life and society in British India. Her 1917 novel The Road to Mandalay, set in Burma, was the uncredited basis for a 1926 American silent film, of which only excerpts survive. She was also a notable writer of ghost stories.
Wikipedia

Reviews

[Wanda]

25 JAN 2015 - Burma.

Free download here - http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18239

[Marcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old school writing and dialogue that was often stilted and difficult to believe - and a bit sappy. Reading this book felt like watching an old movie. I was looking for books on Burma so this was relevant and worth the quick read.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colonization is wrong. Colonization is stealing. Let's get that out of the way, first of all. It's easy though to see how countries painted participation in colonization as one great big grand expat adventure. This book was a humorous and entertaining look at British society as it colonized Burma. The British sense of humor will have you giggling for a solid ten minutes before you even realize they these minutes have passed by. Also remarkable in this story is the unquestioning attitude of the British citizens toward serving their country during WWI. Neither of the young people questioned it, indeed, they seemed willing to fight the Germans just based on German manners toward other nation's citizens alone. I pray that now more skepticism exists of states willing to drag their humans into conflict.

[Ris Schortinghuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a breezy read - the 500 pages flew by. I enjoyed Ms. Croker's style very much and was surprised at some of the darker topics of the book: WWI and cocaine smuggling and addiction. There were obviously some colonial and racist remarks but nothing too terrible if I had to judge it. Someone else might think it is. Overall an enjoyable read and I am very glad I stumbled upon this author.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book and rather dated in its writing. It is an easy read set in the time just before WWII. It was interesting that some of the places in Rangoon/Yangon are still there and we visiting The strand hotel where the young man first stayed when he arrived.

I quite enjoyed the fact that it was bit dated and would like to find out more about some of the things in the book such as the 'chummeries' which sounded a bit boarding- school- like to me. It was bit like looking at a time of the Raj in India when young ladies had to be chaperoned.

It ends just as WWII is starting and the Germans board the liner to leave for Europe- what happens next is just perfect!

It is worth a read and is easy to read.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE ROAD TO MANDALAY, Croker. BURMA, Rangoon. 1912-1914.

Though the plot is predictable, the reading level easy, something drew me in to keep reading. I think it was learning about life in Rangoon during this period of time, not being dissimilar to life in India during the British Raj.

Like many who went to India, the long voyage to Rangoon fostered new friendships which served Shafto well during his stay. Departing his homeland to accept a promotion with his employer gives Shafto the chance to escape an unloving mother, an overpowering stepfather, and a life holding little promise for him. In Rangoon he is better off financially, has three chums with whom he shares living quarters and entertains prospects of finding a wife such as the young woman he meets on board ship. Cocaine and opium addiction among many natives and some Euros drive the drug trade making it big business for some. Shafto finds himself drawn to find help his friend FitzGerald find the ringleaders of this drug trafficking. When Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated and Britain declares war on Germany, the expat community packs up and leaves Burma for the duration of the war.

The title is misleading in that the action of the story begins in London and moves to Rangoon. Only at the end of the story when all issues have been resolved do the main characters take a three week trip to Mandalay and the Shan Mountain district to see the sights before embarking on their trip home.

[Nay Lin Soe · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of an English man who moved to Burma (Myanmar) in the years leading to the 1st World War. Great to learn the Burma in early colonial time from the eye of the novelist. Despite the title, the story was actually based in Rangoon (Yangon) with Mandalay being mentioned just briefly. The writing-style is distinctly old-school--and why not?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading about life in Myanmar right before the onset of WWI.