The Burnt Offering (1910)

By Sara Jeannette Duncan

Book Overview

The Burnt Offering is a novel written by Sara Jeannette Duncan and originally published in 1910. The story is set in India during the British Raj and follows the lives of two women, one British and one Indian, who are linked by a tragic event.The British woman, Edith, is married to an Englishman who is a high-ranking official in the colonial government. She is unhappy in her marriage and finds herself drawn to the Indian culture and people around her. The Indian woman, Rama, is a young widow who has been ostracized by her community and forced to live in poverty.One day, Rama's son is accused of stealing from Edith's household and is beaten by the British police. In an act of desperation, Rama offers herself as a ""burnt offering"" to Edith, hoping that her sacrifice will save her son. Edith is horrified by the offer but is also deeply moved by Rama's devotion to her child.As the story unfolds, the two women become unlikely allies as they navigate the complex social and cultural dynamics of colonial India. The Burnt Offering explores themes of race, class, gender, and power, and offers a nuanced portrayal of the British Raj and its impact on Indian society.Overall, The Burnt Offering is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1166999343
• ISBN13: 9781166999346
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 326 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"