I stumbled upon this old book almost by accident, and I'm so glad I did. Richard Wenig published 'In Monsun und Pori' (which translates to 'In Monsoon and Jungle') in 1922, but it reads like a secret journal he never meant to share.

The Story

This is Wenig's first-hand account of his years living and working in India, right before World War I. Forget grand historical narratives. We follow his day-to-day life: the oppressive, drenching monsoon seasons, expeditions into the thick, unfamiliar forests (the 'pori'), and his encounters with the people and landscapes. There's no single villain or plot twist. The story is built from small moments—frustrations, wonders, misunderstandings, and fleeting connections. It's the chronicle of a man building a life in a place that constantly reminds him he's an outsider.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was the book's honesty. Wenig doesn't pose as a heroic explorer or a wise philosopher. He's often confused, sometimes prejudiced, and frequently in over his head. Reading his candid thoughts gives you a raw, unvarnished look at the colonial experience from a regular person's perspective. You feel the sticky heat, smell the damp earth after the rain, and sense his loneliness. It's less about India itself and more about one man's visceral reaction to it. That personal lens makes the history feel immediate and surprisingly relatable.

Final Verdict

This is a niche gem, but a rewarding one. It's perfect for readers who love immersive travel writing or diaries from forgotten corners of history. If you enjoy books where the setting itself is the main character—wild, beautiful, and intimidating—you'll be captivated. Just know you're getting a personal, sometimes uncomfortable, window into the past, not a polished modern documentary. For that reason, it feels wonderfully real.