Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Literature about Southeast Asia

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This is an introduction to some of the books and novels written about Southeast Asia.

Contents

General

  • At war with Asia by Noam Chomsky. Describes the American-Vietnam War, and the bombing campaigns on neighbouring countries.
  • Democracy by Joan Didion. Set in Southeast Asia (and Hawaii) at the end of the Vietnam War.
  • The Quiet American by Graham Greene
  • The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer.

    • Burma (Myanmar)

  • Burmese Days by George Orwell. Orwell served as a police officer in the British Empire and this fueled his contempt for colonialism evident in the book
  • Freedom from Fear by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
  • The Heart Must Break by James Mawdsley
  • The Land of Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe

    • Cambodia

  • Pol Pot
  • The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens details the bombing campaigns against Cambodia (amongst others).

    • Indonesia

  • Hidden Agendas by John Pilger
  • Rogue State by Noam Chomsky. Both of these detail the attacks on East Timor.

    • Malaysia

  • The Long Day Wanes by Anthony Burgess

    • Philippines

  • Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal. Sparked the independence struggle from Spanish colonialism.
  • El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal. Sequel to Noli Me Tangere.

    • Vietnam

  • Heroes by John Pilger
  • The Quiet American by Graham Greene
  • The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh
  • Understanding Vietnam by Neil L Jamiesson

    • References

    Literature about Southeast Asia Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA