Bought off EBay.

I like reading his books, I always feel like I have learned something, not always sure what exactly. That's how I feel about this book, not one of his best, which is why I give it a 7 (though a VSN 7 is higher than most's 7s).

Willie is one of those people that life seems to happen to. From India, he goes to London and drifts into to 20 years of married life in Portuguese Africa, hiding behind walls away from the struggles for independence. He goes to Berlin, where his sister is living with Wolf, she convinces him to join a rebel group in India.

An interesting thing about the book is hearing Willie's thoughts - questioning his motives, being more honest, thinking what he's unable to say. We also get to see why others have joined. Emancipation of a group of people who don't seem to want, what are the rebels fighting for? A lad who went to the city for his education, ending up being caught between two worlds, too country for the city, but not enough for the country.

In the final section of the book, the author deals with British class issues, the one-up-manship. The upper class man, greeting guests in a dressing gown, making sure they remember where they are on the scale. A book about people trying to fit in, trying to find where they fit in.

The one character I hated was the sister, she suggests that Willie goes (something he doesn't hold against her), but she is safe. People she has been involved with are picked up, but she skates on.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

In the bookbox.

Been meaning to read this for years.

Received this book in the mail today.
It was one of my choices from the Intercultural Virtual Bookbox.
Really glad I got this - I have read quite a few books by Naipaul, and this seems very promising.
Thank you, katrinat!!!

I still didn't get around to read it, but picked up another copy to keep, because it just seems to be a book that I will like.... So this one will get to travel again soon - with the VBB for Contemporary Asian Literature.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Chosen from the VBB for Asian Contemporary Literature
Travelling to okyrhoe now
Happy reading!

Thanks ApoloniaX!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy & creative 2010 everyone!

I selected this from Contemporary Asian Literature VBB started by ApoloniaX and look forward to reading it soon.

Reserved for loveamystery's Two Worlds Virtual Bookbox (round 2, January 2010).