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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
This is a great book, full of rich characters, funny observations, great location detail. I'm sorry it took me so long to read him, but I'm glad I did. As Ganesh might say, I go read everything he does do.
Interesting and I should probably read again, because it took me a long time to finish and I know I forgot things along the way.
Quick read. Interesting to learn about Trinidad culture in the context of a fiction story.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is Trinidadian (not British) Naipaul at his best.
Naipaul is an exceptional writer. This early book (published in 1957), known as one of his "earlier comic novels", reads like a writer's notebook. It's a good study in how to write dialogue. I read it in hard-copy version around 2001 when the Merchant Ivory film version of the story came out. I thought the audiobook would be better, and while it's amusing (thanks to the excellent narrator and solid accent/language usage), it's still an annoying book. Indulgent. Naipaul won the Booker Prize in 1971. Much was learned between 1957 and 1971 and readers are fortunate for that.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book is great if you want to have an idea about Trinidad culture and society. In this novel we see Ganesh progressing from teacher to one of the most important man in Trinidad. It's actually really funny. You will have great time!
Not the Man-Man/Miguel Street cameo. Love to see it.
Not totally funny and significantly worse than Miguel Street, but it feels like a gestational moment for Naipaul. The scathing criticism, the eye for character, the deep understanding of empire, it's all here!!!
Read only if you're a Naipaul completionist.
Not totally funny and significantly worse than Miguel Street, but it feels like a gestational moment for Naipaul. The scathing criticism, the eye for character, the deep understanding of empire, it's all here!!!
Read only if you're a Naipaul completionist.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
slow-paced