The Bridge Over the River Kwai: A Novel
by Pierre Boulle
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Book Summary Information
Author: Pierre BoulleEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-08-28
ISBN: 0891419136
Number of pages: 207
Publisher: Presidio Press
Book Reviews of The Bridge Over the River Kwai: A Novel
Book Review: Personality Conflicts Symbolizing the War
Summary: 5 Stars
The Bridge Over the River Kwai, by Pierre Boulle
Boulle trained as an engineer then went to Malaya in 1936 as a rubber planter. He joined the French forces in 1939 Indo-China, then joined the Free French forces in Singapore. His book "My Own River Kwai" tells of his adventures, which parallel the story in his famous novel. It won the French Prix Ste Beuve and later was adapted into a famous film. It is fast-paced as some mystery novels.
Boulle begins by stating "saving face" (refusing to acknowledge mistakes) was as important to the British as the Japanese. This is human nature, not part of any national culture. British prisoners were to build a railway to link the Bay of Bengal to Bangkok and Singapore. Could Colonel Nicholson's personality be defined as 'snobbery'? After being ordered to surrender Nicholson rigorously enforced the rules to provide irreproachable conduct. Anyone who left to continue the resistance was posted as a deserter. He insisted on following international law after being physically assaulted; he wanted to show the British officers were still in command. The prisoners were moved from Singapore to a prison camp in the jungle. They were overworked and underfed. No medical supplies were available for their malaria, dysentery, beri-beri, and jungle sores.
General Yamashita told the prisoners they would mend the error of their ways by building a railway. Work keeps a man physically fit. "Be happy in your work" else they would be punished severely. The film softened the harsh treatment of the British prisoners. Colonel Nicholson objected to his officers doing manual labor and went on strike; he was punished. The British officers worked on its design and implementation to build a better bridge. Nicholson sought the advice of those who had been experts in civilian life. The purpose of the bridge over the River Kwai was to allow Japan to invade India and win the war. Those who did not perform their work would be shot. The British prisoners succeeded in building the bridge. The book's ending was modified for the film.
[The bridge in the film was styled after the railway bridge over the Firth of Forth, a unique and over-engineered cantilever bridge. Colonel Nicholson got "maximum effort" out of his men by challenging them to be the best they can be. General "Frank Savage" used this same technique in "Twelve O' Clock High".]
Summary of The Bridge Over the River Kwai: A Novel
1942: Boldly advancing through Asia, the Japanese need a train route from Burma going north. In a prison camp, British POWs are forced into labor. The bridge they build will become a symbol of service and survival to one prisoner, Colonel Nicholson, a proud perfectionist. Pitted against the warden, Colonel Saito, Nicholson will nevertheless, out of a distorted sense of duty, aid his enemy. While on the outside, as the Allies race to destroy the bridge, Nicholson must decide which will be the first casualty: his patriotism or his pride.Historical Books
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