George Orwell's first novel presents a devastating picture of British colonial rule Burmese Days describes corruption and imperial bigotry in a society where, ‘after all, natives were natives’. When Flory, a white timber merchant, befriends Indian Dr Veraswami, he defies this orthodoxy. The doctor is in danger: U Po Kyin, a corrupt magistrate, is plotting his downfall. The only thing that can save him is membership of the all-white Club, and Flory can help. Flory's life is changed further by the arrival of beautiful Elizabeth Lackersteen from Paris, who offers an escape from loneliness and the ‘lie’ of colonial life. “I dare say it's unfair in some ways and inaccurate in some details, but much of it is simply reporting what I have seen”. - Orwell, in a letter from 1946.