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Burrow
Tapan Ali falls in love with England and a student life of pot-smoking and philosophy. When the money to keep him runs out there seems no option but to return to Bangladesh until Adela, a fellow student, offers to marry him. But this marriage of convenience collapses and Tapan finds himself thrust into another England, the East London of Bangladeshi settlement and National Front violence.
Now an 'illegal', Tapan becomes a deshi bhai, supported by a network of friends like Sundar Mia, who becomes his guide, anti-Nazi warrior Masuk Ali, wise Brother Josef K, and, sharing the centre of the novel, his lover, Nilufar Mia, a community activist who has broken with her family to live out her alternative destiny. Tapan has to become a mole, able to smell danger and feel his way through the dark passageways and safe houses where the Bangladeshi community has mapped its own secret city. He must evade the informers like Poltu Khan, the 'rat' who sells illegals to the Immigration. But being a mole has its costs, and Tapan cannot burrow forever, at some moment he must emerge into the light. But how can a mole fly? Manzu Islam has important things to say about immigration and race, but his instincts are always those of a storyteller. Using edgy realism, fantasy and humour to compulsively readable effect, he tells a warm and enduring tale of journeys and secrets, of love, family, memory, fear and betrayal. Syed Manzurul (Manzu) Islam was born in 1953 in a small northeastern town in East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). He has a doctorate and was Reader in English at the University of Gloucestershire, specialising in postcolonial literature and creative writing
Now an 'illegal', Tapan becomes a deshi bhai, supported by a network of friends like Sundar Mia, who becomes his guide, anti-Nazi warrior Masuk Ali, wise Brother Josef K, and, sharing the centre of the novel, his lover, Nilufar Mia, a community activist who has broken with her family to live out her alternative destiny. Tapan has to become a mole, able to smell danger and feel his way through the dark passageways and safe houses where the Bangladeshi community has mapped its own secret city. He must evade the informers like Poltu Khan, the 'rat' who sells illegals to the Immigration. But being a mole has its costs, and Tapan cannot burrow forever, at some moment he must emerge into the light. But how can a mole fly? Manzu Islam has important things to say about immigration and race, but his instincts are always those of a storyteller. Using edgy realism, fantasy and humour to compulsively readable effect, he tells a warm and enduring tale of journeys and secrets, of love, family, memory, fear and betrayal. Syed Manzurul (Manzu) Islam was born in 1953 in a small northeastern town in East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). He has a doctorate and was Reader in English at the University of Gloucestershire, specialising in postcolonial literature and creative writing
343 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2021
A student from Bangladesh becomes an illegal immigrant in the UK and survives "underground." His experiences before and during this status reveal how the community around Brick Lane operates. There are forays into the history of the British Raj. And there are moments where it felt like a mini-lecture or lesson; I enjoyed these, including my already knowing who Udham Singh was Udham Singh : The Revenge of Jallianwala Bagh or who Queen Victoria's munshi was https://time.com/4941313/victoria-and....
I was surprised that this seemingly understated story was at times gripping. I felt compelled to find out what would happen next after many scenes. Tapan Ali is philosophical and clearly makes the connection between colonialism and why he is in the UK and subsequently "illegal." It demonstrates the "I'm here because you were there."
I've read Islam's The Mapmakers of Spitalfields & The Song of Our Swampland. And I find him to be a compelling writer; he crafts innovative stories. And I hope he continues to write more as I'd read more of his titles.
I was surprised that this seemingly understated story was at times gripping. I felt compelled to find out what would happen next after many scenes. Tapan Ali is philosophical and clearly makes the connection between colonialism and why he is in the UK and subsequently "illegal." It demonstrates the "I'm here because you were there."
I've read Islam's The Mapmakers of Spitalfields & The Song of Our Swampland. And I find him to be a compelling writer; he crafts innovative stories. And I hope he continues to write more as I'd read more of his titles.
November 10, 2022
Wonderful Tale of a Bangladeshi's exploits in East London.
This novel is expertly written by Manzu Islam and it gave an endearing account of an Illegal Bangladeshi immigrant trying to stay in the UK, in East London. I enjoyed the numerous references to Bangladesh and Bangladeshi culture in Bangladesh and in UK. I, as a British Bangladeshi enjoyed this book immensely. I look forward to reading the other book by Manzu Islam as this book, 'Burrow ' was written in style. More books about Bangladeshis please.
This novel is expertly written by Manzu Islam and it gave an endearing account of an Illegal Bangladeshi immigrant trying to stay in the UK, in East London. I enjoyed the numerous references to Bangladesh and Bangladeshi culture in Bangladesh and in UK. I, as a British Bangladeshi enjoyed this book immensely. I look forward to reading the other book by Manzu Islam as this book, 'Burrow ' was written in style. More books about Bangladeshis please.
June 20, 2023
The content was good. The topic was unusual and interesting.
However, the structure and general execution were quite uneven.
Better copy-editing was also needed.
However, the structure and general execution were quite uneven.
Better copy-editing was also needed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews