Post by tintin on May 26, 2020 12:15:52 GMT 1
This is a review of two books by C M Enriquez, "Khyberie -The Story of a Mountain Pony" published in 1934 and "Khyberie in Burma" published in 1939. The charming illustrations are by K F Barker
These books are very interesting both historically and as stories.
They are told in the first person by Khyberie and follow his life from foalhood.
When writing the biography of a horse from his own point of view it is first important that he is a horsely horse - that his actions and perceived motivations harmonise with actual observed horses so that he will ring true with readers. One issue less addressed is how distinctive should the horse's voice be? Does a French horse, for example, have a distinctly French character? In the book "Traveller" for example the author consulted horse experts and dialect experts so that the equine hero is not just authentically a horse, but authentically a horse from Virginia
Khyberie is a horsely horse and he is also, mildly, but distinctively, a Pakistani gentleman of the old school and exhibits the virtues and characteristics of that type of man. He is engaging company and a good raconteur.
Khyberie is very proud of his roots, to him the ponies of his home district of Badakshan are indisputably the standard by which all other horses must be judged. He is brave, honourable, hard working and forthright and would do anything for his family.He is also slightly conceited with a lordly air, offset by his politeness and generosity. He has an outrageously dismissive attitude to the Hindu inhabitants of the plains, taking it for granted that they will make a mess of everything and run away when the going gets tough.
The first book is set in the North West Frontier and we have the pony's early life, his purchase by a British Officer and his settling in to the life of a domestic riding horse for the Officer's young daughter. It is obvious the author is writing of his own experiences and family. The book is excellent on the natural wonders (and dangers) of the Province and it is dramatic, but not over stated. A lot goes on.
In the second book the Officer goes to Burma to serve with the Armed Police and Khyberie is meant to be sold, but the daughter (and Khyberie) manage to ensure he is retained with the family. He makes an epic journey to Burma, involving him and his horsebox becoming very seriously lost on the Indian Railways.
Khyberie is very good at being lost and stolen, which allows us to see many aspects of life on the sub-continent
I think this is probably the only book recounting service in the Armed Police in Burma first hand terms (George Orwell served in the Civil Police. He was not a natural policeman and has left us a very sad and embittered book "Burmese Days"). Khyberie also become involved in a Burmese rebellion which is only elsewhere described in very expensive academic books in very sociological terms. The author dealt with them as a Police Officer and describes them like a cop.There is also a long section on the work of the Chinese Customs on the border with Burma - which I don't think you'll find anywhere else. As historical documents these books are first class and deserve to be better known.
How did I rate the book? It is brilliant in painting a picture of India and Burma, particularly natural disasters like floods and fires. Khyberie gets stolen perhaps a bit too much for my taste, but that is not unrealistic.An awful lot happens which might overwhelm the readership the books were intended for. He is a very endearing pony and will make anyone smile, but especially those with any experience of Pakistan or Pakistanis. It only needed a little more cohesion to push it to "Gold Cup" standard.
These books are very interesting both historically and as stories.
They are told in the first person by Khyberie and follow his life from foalhood.
When writing the biography of a horse from his own point of view it is first important that he is a horsely horse - that his actions and perceived motivations harmonise with actual observed horses so that he will ring true with readers. One issue less addressed is how distinctive should the horse's voice be? Does a French horse, for example, have a distinctly French character? In the book "Traveller" for example the author consulted horse experts and dialect experts so that the equine hero is not just authentically a horse, but authentically a horse from Virginia
Khyberie is a horsely horse and he is also, mildly, but distinctively, a Pakistani gentleman of the old school and exhibits the virtues and characteristics of that type of man. He is engaging company and a good raconteur.
Khyberie is very proud of his roots, to him the ponies of his home district of Badakshan are indisputably the standard by which all other horses must be judged. He is brave, honourable, hard working and forthright and would do anything for his family.He is also slightly conceited with a lordly air, offset by his politeness and generosity. He has an outrageously dismissive attitude to the Hindu inhabitants of the plains, taking it for granted that they will make a mess of everything and run away when the going gets tough.
The first book is set in the North West Frontier and we have the pony's early life, his purchase by a British Officer and his settling in to the life of a domestic riding horse for the Officer's young daughter. It is obvious the author is writing of his own experiences and family. The book is excellent on the natural wonders (and dangers) of the Province and it is dramatic, but not over stated. A lot goes on.
In the second book the Officer goes to Burma to serve with the Armed Police and Khyberie is meant to be sold, but the daughter (and Khyberie) manage to ensure he is retained with the family. He makes an epic journey to Burma, involving him and his horsebox becoming very seriously lost on the Indian Railways.
Khyberie is very good at being lost and stolen, which allows us to see many aspects of life on the sub-continent
I think this is probably the only book recounting service in the Armed Police in Burma first hand terms (George Orwell served in the Civil Police. He was not a natural policeman and has left us a very sad and embittered book "Burmese Days"). Khyberie also become involved in a Burmese rebellion which is only elsewhere described in very expensive academic books in very sociological terms. The author dealt with them as a Police Officer and describes them like a cop.There is also a long section on the work of the Chinese Customs on the border with Burma - which I don't think you'll find anywhere else. As historical documents these books are first class and deserve to be better known.
How did I rate the book? It is brilliant in painting a picture of India and Burma, particularly natural disasters like floods and fires. Khyberie gets stolen perhaps a bit too much for my taste, but that is not unrealistic.An awful lot happens which might overwhelm the readership the books were intended for. He is a very endearing pony and will make anyone smile, but especially those with any experience of Pakistan or Pakistanis. It only needed a little more cohesion to push it to "Gold Cup" standard.