An orphaned Scottish boy born in Colonial India who raised himself on the streets of Banjor is recruited as a British spy and has some hard choices to make.
review:
One part coming of age, one part history and one part political statement this early twentieth century novel is well worth a read. It tells the story of India as part of the Common Wealth and the struggle that ensued for the UK to keep it as Kim becomes a spy for the Brits. It also tells the story of a wonderful friendship, racial clashes, and personal religious conflict. For a short novel this has a lot of messages packed into it. This is a very pro-imperialism read but at the same time it humanizes the Indian struggle (which I understand was unusual at the time) by making Russia the enemy in the story. As we have established I really enjoy historical fiction and seem to have a thing for Colonial fiction. This is really well written and a relatively quick and easy read. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story or is interested in the colonial history of India.
8/10
"Something I owe to the soil that grew—
More to the life that fed—
But most to Allah who gave me two
Separate sides to my head."
"This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures."
"There is no sin so great as ignorance. Remember this."
if you enjoyed this I recommend
Joseph Conrad
E. M. Forester (esp. A Passage to India)
More Rudyard Kipling
C. S. Forester (Hornblower Series)
George MacDonald Fraser (Flashman Series)
What age would you suggest is best to read this one Ms. Allison? I made a go of it at 10 or 11, as at that point Kipling's "Jungle Book" was my favorite novel, but found it largely incomprehensible. I've seen Children's Classics versions published, but have to wonder if it's really suitable for children?
ReplyDeleteI would say that it should be read as an older teenager or young adult. As a child all of the politics and the racial tensions would be lost, however it could still be read as a story of friendship as a younger teen.
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