POLITICAL FICTION (S) : A MALAYAN TRILOGY BY ANTHONY BURGESS AND THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY BY CHRISTOPHER J. KOCH

Abstract

This academic exercise primarily discusses the novels by Anthony Burgess and Christopher J Koch, titled A Malayan Trilogy and The Year of Living Dangerously respectively, as political fiction. The first chapter provides a critical comparison of the two novels, focussing mainly on each novel's plot, structure, characterization, treatment of theme and style. This chapter also examines each writer's stand on politics and how this is reflected in his novel. The second and third chapters are isolated and hence, more intensive studies of each novel respectively. In the study of each novel, attention is primarily given to the writer's approach to politics, his unique diction and the degree of commitment to which he presents the theme of politics. This allows for a more accurate appraisal of each novel's genre, to determine if each novel is political fiction per se ; or whether it is aimed at dealing with themes other than its political one. The final chapter provides an overview of the entire discussion of the academic exercise. It also presents an acknowledgement of the sources employed in the course of this discussion.