Rating: 
Summary: A vivid picture of the British occupation of Burma
Review: (For background info, please read the review first...)I was fascinated by this novel and thought it well-written. It is ultimately a cynical novel, yet the experiences detailed in the novel are devastating and could easily lead a decent person to utter despair... British colonialism seems to be bottomless; as if there is no continent that hasn't been contaminated by it. Although it is now a thing of the past, learning about it still has the power to chill, by its utter cruelty, indiffence and arrogance. The setting is all-important, and I kept thinking as I read, this would make a really good movie. But by the time, I got to the end, I realized why it hadn't: the grotesqueness of the characters, predominantly British traders, merchants and soldiers who are stationed in the middle of nowhere, in a tropical nightmare. This novel is not politically correct: the Burmese are not spared. They are as ignorant, corrupt and cowardly as the Brits who sit around drinking and cursing them. And the Brits range from snobbish, pathetic and weak to vicious, violent and bigoted. The one Brit with insight is riddled with fear, self-loathing and cowardice. There are no heroes here. British colonialism in Burma has seemingly brought out the worst in everyone. The ending is shocking, but ulimately quite reasonable. If you have any doubts about the amorality of colonial occupation, you must read this. "There must be some way out of here, said the joker to the thief, there's too much confusion, can't get no relief..."
Rating: 
Summary: Orwell tries, but turns out not being effective enough
Review: As I read this book, I felt that it was really dragging along. Although Orwell tries very hard to show the shortcomings of imperialism, the book will most likely turn off leisure readers. If you are really into a book taht contains means, and a deeper understanding, at the expense of being bored, this is for you. Many will like this book, but I feel that most will not. I would recommend reading A Collection of Essays more.
Rating:
Summary: eh
Review: Burmese Days is the story of a self-conscious English gentleman, Flory, who is repulsed by the actions of his fellow Englishmen, and wishes to find someone with whom he can share the love/hate relationship he has with Burma and the Burmese. He thinks he finds this person in Elizabeth Lackersteen, but slowly realizes how shallow and arrogant she really is. It addresses issues like race and assimilation well, and has interesting characters, but I felt detached and bored while reading it. The plot is rather outlandish, and the ending was predictable, though the book has a lot of irony and even laugh-out-loud moments.
An OK book, but I expected more from Orwell.
Rating:
Summary: a disapointment to Orwell fans
Review: Fans of 1984 will be sorely disapointed in this book but it is enjoyable enough if you enter it with incredibly low expectations. It is the story of a man, Flory, who lives in English Burma. There he lives a meaningless existence. Until a women arrives and changes everything. Depressing but not to depressing that it is unbelievable. If you have anything else you've been wanting to read. Read that instead.
Rating:
Summary: Merciless
Review: From now on this will my idea of the Raj: Some pathetic drunkards in the jungle who hate themselves and the people they govern. The stifling atmosphere is depicted with such vividness that no reader will easily forget it. At this, Orwell is truly excellent. As for the plot - there are some weaknesses, but it is gripping up to the very end. Of course we cannot be sure whether British rule in India was really like this. However, Orwell had some first-hand experience of Burma. (As a matter of fact, he had served five years in the Burmese colonial police.) And his picture seems very plausible. A friend of mine recently told me of for still liking Orwell at my age; he thought he was a writer for adolescents. That may be true if growing up means putting up with injustice and plain wrong. If your idea of maturity is different, go for this book!
Rating: 
Summary: A gripping tale of British Colonialism
Review: George Orwell has managed to create an extraordinarily vivid picture of life during the British Colonialism of Burma near the earlier part of the twentieth century. The descriptors used enable the reader to envision the story almost as a film being played out. For example, an entire paragraph is devoted to describing Flory's birthmark, which allows one to understand that this one physical characteristic will play an important part of the story. This is a story of unattainable love and bitter loneliness when one is exiled to the colonies. True loving relationships are conspicuously absent within this tale; and issues of oppression are interwoven within it's seams. Conformity to peer pressure is represented and questioned by the characters, especially the anti-hero, Flory. Orwell does an excellent job of setting and preparing the reader for future scenes while incorportating symbolism within his work; such as introducing several of the characters in the beginning within the conversation between U Po Kyin and Ko Ba Sein. He is masterful at creating drama and suspense throughout until the tragic ending. Why read a novel written in 1934? The answer is simple. This is a timeless classical piece of literature concerning real social problems occurring then as they do now. For anyone interested in a more personal glimpse of history this is a gripping tale for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: potential, but little payoff
Review: Good ideas squandered in a story with one dimensional characters where everything is whipped up into a Hardy Boys/Harlequin Romance froth.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, unhappy ending
Review: I enjoyed this book. Typical post modern English style theme, and Values. An Indian I know was upset by the unhappy ending
Rating:
Summary: Really want to know the Burmese mind???
Review: I have to admit to being a huge Orwell fan and having lived in Burma for several years (and having visited the location of the story in "Burmese Days" (Katha), I believe this book presents one of the most accurate representations of the Burmese character and of the relationship (that was) between the Burmese (as opposed to the Karen, the Chin and other minorities). Anyone who desires to understand Burma, its people and its government (Aung San, Ne Win to the present SPDC) should read this book. It is a masterful work that remains important for several reasons.
Rating:
Summary: Really want to know the Burmese mind???
Review: I have to admit to being a huge Orwell fan and having lived in Burma for several years (and having visited the location of the story in "Burmese Days" (Katha), I believe this book presents one of the most accurate representations of the Burmese character and of the relationship (that was) between the Burmese (as opposed to the Karen, the Chin and other minorities). Anyone who desires to understand Burma, its people and its government (Aung San, Ne Win to the present SPDC) should read this book. It is a masterful work that remains important for several reasons.
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