Jungle Lovers

By Paul Theroux

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140054960
• ISBN13: 9780140054965
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: PENGUIN BOOKS LTD
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 0.6" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Theroux's early Malawi novel, still banned there

In Dark Star Safari, we learn that the Malawi government censors still ban this novel, Jungle Lovers. Malawi is where Theroux started his African experience in the Peace Corp, where he was involved in the politics, and where he was expelled and kicked out of the Peace Corp. The Malawi of the novel is torn in a near civil war condition, and the main characters, an insurance salesman and a messianic revolutionary, tread through the fallout.

Calvinism

Calvin Mullet is a young man from Hudson, Massachusetts. Divorced, he is paying alimony. It is Christmas in Malawi. It doesn't feel like Christmas. Calvin's former wife was small souled. In marriage he felt lonely. Calvin's insurance office is near the British Council Library. He is traveling north and Major Beaglehole is a companion. Beaglehole is not ashamed of having killed his CO. For killing his commanding officer he got life. He was released after serving six years. He was awarded his full pension because the matter had been a crime of passion. Calvin collects his pay at Barclay's Bank. Major Beaglehole wears his regimental puttees while riding his motorbike. The puttees keep the mud off of him. In Malawi to say someone is a colorful character is the highest of praise. People say that about Major Beaglehole. He speaks Urdu. Calvin is writing a book, THE UNINSURED. He is pleased to ride the beautiful old Matchless motorbike of the major. Calvin's insurance firm, Homemakers' Mutual, shows more profit than Malawi does, even with a bumper crop of peanuts. Calvin Mullet and Mira Nirenda marry. Marais is reported, (falsely as it turns out), dead, since he has been found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Bailey, another European, and Beaglehole give Calvin and Mira wedding presents. Calvin stops comparing Malawi to Massachusetts. In some ways Malawi wins since there is no Mafia in Malawi. Calvin doesn't want to fill out the form for Mira to enter the Miss Malawi contest, he feels there is no culture in it. The couple is close. They are the jungle lovers of the title. At the contest Calvin thinks he is watching a minstrel show in reverse. Jack Mavity arranges for Calvin to meet his mate, Mr. Harry. Mira wants Calvin to give her a baby. This gives the marriage a new dimension. Calvin tells Bailey they are moving out of the hotel. The room rent given to them as a wedding present has expired. Bailey encourages them to stay since no one else seems to want the equivalent of the bridal suite at the establishment. Bailey states that there is a war going on. Just as Calvin tries to close down the insurance agency he is given notice that it is being nationalized. He trains the new clerk, Mwase, who gained the position by passing his O Levels. Marais and Calvin meet. Marais wants to be insured. The beneficiary of Marais's policy is Calvin's unborn baby. Marais is killed in the civil war. Bailey delivers the baby, a boy.