Only Man Is Vile: The Tragedy of Sri Lanka

Rating:
Summary: Sad Little Country
Review: First of all, I disagree with the previous reviewer that the author strikes an "imperialist" tone in any part of this book. My impression is that he writes with understanding and compassion about a place most Westerners hardly realize exists.

That being said, my repeated thought while reading "Only Man is Vile" is that I am profoundly grateful that I was not born there, have any friends or relatives there, and have no need to travel there. Who can blame me or anyone else from having such a sentiment? Sri Lanka is a place where there are multiple vicious conflicts raging: Sinhalese versus Tamil, Sinhalese extremists against the Sinhalese-dominated central government, and Tamil versus Muslim.

Perhaps the reason why Americans know so little about this country is because of two factors. First, Sri Lanka is a state that has virtually no similarities to the United States. Second, there are very few heroes in what is going on over there. In fact, the only people I feel some sympathy towards are the moderate Tamils. They are the most sinned against.

On a closing note, anyone who believes in racial pride, a dominant role for religion in politics, or affirmative action should give this book a good hard read. What they learn might just change their minds.

Rating:
Summary: Well-researched, but not so well written
Review: Only Man is Vile is a thorough look at the recent history of the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. McGowan uses many sources to examine a civil war that has continued for a long time without garnering much international attention. As someone from that part of the world (South India, quite close to Sri Lanka), though, I was struck by McGowan's seemingly imperialist attitude towards the people of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese music is described as wailing; the actions of a doctor treating a scorpion-stung woman are criticized in terms echoing those of nineteenth century missionaries. Throughout the book there seems to be an underlying tone of disdain for these peoples. Perhaps I am being oversensitive, but it does seem that at points McGowan is far from sympathizing with, leave alone understanding, the local people.

Rating:
Summary: Lacks insight and maturity
Review: This is a book written by an American for a western audience. The writer admits that he cannot quite make sense of what was happening nor can he break through the cultural barriers to understand Sri Lanka. But despite not having anything insightful to say, he decides to write a book. This book is his catharsis and it is drapped in good form by well turned phrases. But because the writer could not overcome his own prejudices, no real light is shed on one of the most horrible events of the twentieth century.

McGowan takes a decidedly slanted and simplistic view to the Sri Lankan civil war. He brings into a difficult and complex picture his own hangups as a Christian and an American. And takes the view that the Buddhist religion is bad, Sinhalese are bad and the Tamils, because they adapt well to Christianity have redeeming virtues. He seems eager to absolve the West of any blame for the mess in Sri Lanka. After all, the British had been generous enough to leave behind all that infrastructure and their canon of law. Of course, he does not say that in the run-up to independence, the British had taken whatever they could with them. They left behind the hospitals and roads only because it could not be moved.

Like many Americans who have come out to Asia with messianic hopes, McGowan is quickly disappointed. He understands early on that he cannot make a difference. It seems that no one in the country will bother to listen to him. Gee I wonder why? The book is really a reflection of a young man's frustration that he is not recognized.

The book is a good read and is well constructed. Where he lacks in substance, McGowan makes up for in form.