FAUCONNIER, HENRI [1879-1973],
Malaisie. Kalau ta-tahu Pantun sahaya pantu n ketam. [Third printing, after the 1930 first].
Paris, Editions Stock, 1946. Small 8°. Original printed wrappers. ftitle (verso with author's other publs.). 309pp. Publ. list on lower outer cover. French language autobiographical novel, awarded the Prix Goncourt 1930. A much underestimated collection of personal experiences, set in Malaysia in which author paints a clear picture of country, popolation, languages (malaysian and Tamil), climate, physical geography and agricultural opportunities. Author left for Singapore in 1905 and after a stay of a few months he decided to travel to Malaysia. He obtained an apprenticeship on an estate outside Kuala Lumpur. He managed to obtain a lease of 600 acresnear Rantau Panjang1906, planting Palm oil (Elaeis guineensis). With financial help of friends and relatives he managed to expand his buisiness and became Chief manager of Hallet Plantationons of the Far East in 1910. Main value is his strong and intense descriptions of local people, personnel and their ways of living. (Collection of strongly autobiographic stories on the interior of Malaysia, mostly situated on estates. Very good untrimmed and partly unopenedcopy.
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Mots-clés: french literature autobiography experience recollections malaysia selangor estatelife planters selangor commerce production history culture education southeastasia legacy prixgoncourt