Beds in the East by Anthony Burgess. Short summary

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The British realize that their efforts to implement European principles fail utterly. The inhabitants of the Malayan colony are unwilling to do anything to make life better.

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The final book of the trilogy. Eastern culture desperately resists European influence. The locals are confused with themselves. Some worship Allah fanatically, others believe in castes, others still follow the traditions of their ancestors. The latter, meanwhile, cause enough inconvenience. The inhabitants of the colony are mired in gossip and intrigue.

The inhabitants of these places are lazy and uneducated. They do not want to do anything to change their lives. There are those who are ostentatious in their love for Allah, but who drink alcohol immensely. For $5, men are willing to kill and women (including Muslim women) sell themselves. They don’t recognize civil society because it imposes responsibility.

What the English people want from the English is alcohol, cars, and blond women. There is no gratitude or respect. Britain stumbles upon a refusal to accept the principles of modern life. The author realizes that all efforts are in vain.