Snake wine

the long version

This is the narrative recounting of Anderson's appointment as a lecturer in Engish to a British school in Singapore in the early 50's. It is subtle, poetic, ironic, bemused, always sharply observed. Anderson had an untiring curiosity and openness to his surroundings and to the layers of culture in this novel, multicultural situation. He is noticeably tone deaf in many instances to the oppression and objectification of the subjects of colonial power, particularly the females, but is also frankly representative of his English birth, education, sex, and of his time. On the other hand, he uses his imaginative perspective on all that comes under his eye, along with his gift for language, to convey a richness, depth, ambiguity, and questioning sensitivity. His work is beautifully written, fascinating, and rewarding. I was surprised to see that there was little mention of Anderson's book online. I think it is underrated and neglected.