The Malay sacrilege

Immerse yourself in colonial Malaysia with humor and irony

Pierre Boulle’s The Malay sacrilege takes you to the heart of colonial Malaysia, where satire, humor, and fantasy combine to tell a story that is both exotic and deeply human.

A satire inspired by the author’s experience

Maille, a young French engineer, is sent to work on a vast rubber plantation. He finds himself confronted with bureaucratic absurdity and the contradictions of a rigid colonial system. Inspired by his own experience in Malaysia, Pierre Boulle subtly sketches the inconsistencies and alienation of industrial society, offering a critical and humorous look at the era.

A novel with universal appeal

Beyond colonial Malaysia, this story questions the human condition and the excesses of industrialization. Through Maille’s misadventures, the struggle for freedom and dignity is brought to light. The Malay sacrilege is an unforgettable read, in which Pierre Boulle’s sharp pen combines irony, satire, and exotic adventure.