Book: In a Free State, Author: VS Naipaul
Read: Sep-2017
I am a Naipaul fan, so take this with a dash of salt.
This book is nothing similar to anything from Naipaul that I have read earlier, whether it's the Indian trilogy or The Mystic Masseur or other books. The reason may well be, as VSN himself explains in preface, that this period in his life was full of grief, gloom and an overall sense of directionless. Mind you, all hallmarks of VSN's writing are there; like brilliant prose, development of character arcs or the lurking restlessness in the background.
As for the book itself, its an easy read which is to be understood at multiple levels. Two protagonists looking at their context and their own role in a society, where they have been juxtaposed, from very different angles. One is exhausted and weary with the entire experience, while other feels helpless and guilty at the same time. Interesting book to understand a part of the psyche of colonists. Recommended.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1875459698?book_show_action=false
Read: Sep-2017
I am a Naipaul fan, so take this with a dash of salt.
This book is nothing similar to anything from Naipaul that I have read earlier, whether it's the Indian trilogy or The Mystic Masseur or other books. The reason may well be, as VSN himself explains in preface, that this period in his life was full of grief, gloom and an overall sense of directionless. Mind you, all hallmarks of VSN's writing are there; like brilliant prose, development of character arcs or the lurking restlessness in the background.
As for the book itself, its an easy read which is to be understood at multiple levels. Two protagonists looking at their context and their own role in a society, where they have been juxtaposed, from very different angles. One is exhausted and weary with the entire experience, while other feels helpless and guilty at the same time. Interesting book to understand a part of the psyche of colonists. Recommended.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1875459698?book_show_action=false
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