Civilization: Tales of the Orient

Name: Civilization: Tales of the Orient
Author: Ellen N. La Motte

By Ellen N. La Motte

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Short Stories

About This Book

A collection of short stories set on the China coast that observes encounters between Western expatriates and Chinese residents. Through compact, episodic narratives it examines loneliness, homesickness, and the pragmatic domestic and commercial arrangements that sustain colonial life. Vignettes trace cultural misunderstandings, racial attitudes, gambling, opium, illness, and everyday moral compromises, showing how displacement warps private habits and public conduct. The tone remains observational and unsentimental, emphasizing ambiguous power dynamics and the personal costs of life on an imperial frontier.

About the Author

Ellen N. La Motte

Ellen N. La Motte was an American author and nurse known for her poignant writings that often reflect her experiences in war and healthcare. Her notable work, "The Backwash of War," provides a harrowing account of the human cost of conflict as witnessed through her role as a hospital nurse during World War I. La Motte's literary contributions also include "Civilization: Tales of the Orient" and "Peking Dust," which explore themes of culture and society in the East. Additionally, she wrote extensively on public health issues, as seen in her handbook for tuberculosis nurses, emphasizing the importance of healthcare education and practical training.