The Virgin Soldiers
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Leslie Thomas |
| Products | Comic novel |
The Virgin Soldiers is a 1966 comic novel penned by Leslie Thomas, drawing from his own National Service tenure in the British Army. Marking Thomas' first work of fiction after an autobiography, the book achieved multi-million sales throughout his career.
Plot summary
Set during the Malayan Emergency at a British military base in Singapore, the narrative explores a love triangle involving Private Brigg, a conscripted soldier; Sergeant Driscoll, an experienced professional; and Phillipa Raskin, the daughter of the Regimental Sergeant Major.
Both Brigg and Phillipa are inexperienced and virginal. Brigg harbors apprehensions about Phillipa’s father and local sex workers, while his fellow soldiers indulge in fantasies about women they have never known. Phillipa becomes defiant, engaging in a relationship with Sgt. Driscoll while simultaneously leading Brigg on. Eventually, Brigg turns to a prostitute known as Juicy Lucy, who takes compassion on him, guides him through his inexperience, and forms a lasting bond with him.
Driscoll struggles with personal dilemmas and mocks Sgt. Wellbeloved by calling out "Rusty nails!" Wellbeloved boasts of heroic deeds from WWII but is unmasked as a coward who betrayed a comrade nicknamed Rusty Nails. Driscoll retaliates with violence against him.
The plot also incorporates episodes of brutal riots and a Communist guerrilla assault on a train, resulting in the deaths of several of Brigg’s comrades. Seeking solace, Brigg turns to Lucy but discovers she has been fatally beaten by soldiers. Prior to his departure home, he confronts Phillipa about his grievances; however, she remains detached, favoring her relationship with the sergeant.
As Brigg and his companions prepare to leave Malaya, they call out to Fuk Yew, a laundryman Brigg had accidentally harmed earlier. His reaction captures the complex emotional connections they have formed with Malaya.
Film adaptation
The book was transformed into a 1969 motion picture directed by John Dexter, with a screenplay written by British screenwriter John Hopkins. The cast included Hywel Bennett, John Scott, Nigel Patrick, and Lynn Redgrave. Notably, David Bowie made a brief appearance after auditioning for a part. A follow-up film titled Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers (1977) featured Nigel Davenport reprising his role as Sgt Driscoll.