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Title: Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0-394-71195-5 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 12 July, 1982 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 (35 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Struck a nerve?
Comment: Seems from the bitter tone of the negative reviews that Naipaul has struck a nerve, which means he probably got it right. Naipaul makes no pretensions to scholarship; he is a skeptic who calls it as he sees it. Early on in the book, he calls himself a "seeker," which by itself undercuts accusations that he is a biased Hindu nationalist with an axe to grind. Regardless, Naipaul doesn't condemn Islam; he expresses his doubts about a particular interpretation of Islam and its political manifestations in particular societies at a very specific time in history. Iran's recent softening of its stance toward the West especially highlights Naipaul's prescience vis a vis his analysis of that nation's complicated ambivalence toward the United States and Europe.
Similarly, any anti-Muslim bigot who uses Naipaul to rationalize an irrational hatred cleary refuses to acknowledge the profoundly sympathetic tone of Naipaul's portrayals of the people he meets and places he goes. Naipaul doubts ideology, not individuals. Outstanding travel writing.
Rating: 4
Summary: A very pertinent work
Comment: Naipaul has shown himself to be immensely readable. In addition to the anecdotal tenor of this particular book, it serves as a social commentary on perhaps the fastest growing group of people, i.e. those who subscribe to the faith of Islam. Considering the disturbing events over the last 15-20 years that this group has been associated with, one would tend to view this growth as alarming. Naipaul himself could perhaps provide fodder for the alarmists with his astute observation in pg. 355 :..." Islam raises political issues but no practical solution..." And that reliance on the prophet to settle every issue does seem misguided. He also goes on to say something often seen in TV images of, and editorial comments on, the middle east that "The political Islam of today is one of rage and anarchy.." But the one sobering observation that Naipaul touches upon and is also seen in Thomas Friedman's writings is that Islam when practiced under the statutory giudelines of civilized societies such as Turkey and India, can be softened and deemed acceptable.
Rating: 5
Summary: Perceptive, Honest, Disturbing
Comment: I was pleasantly surprised with the sincerity and honesty with which Naipaul engages his subjects, especially towards the end of the book and his journey, when his conclusions have started to form and he is looking for reaffirmation of his earlier impressions. He knows that the pattern that is emerging is critical of the people he is talking to, yet he listens to each person earnestly, trying to understand how they see themselves and the world around them. Sometimes he is merely an interviewer, yet to the main characters through whom the story evolves, he is like a friend, telling them when he disagrees with them and making them think through their own feelings.
I do not see any hate or malice in this book, either towards 'the believers' or Islam. He is definitely sympathetic towards the believers he talks to, which should not and does not prevent him from criticizing their human frailties just as he celebrates their strengths. His critique of Islam too, follows from his analysis and should be refuted similarly. Coming back to read these reviews after reading the book, I find that some of the emotions expressed in the severest reviews fit the pattern described by the author. Ironic!
There is a natural flow in the narrative in moving from Iran through Pakistan and Malaysia to Indonesia. Was that a deliberate choice ?
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Title: Beyond Belief: Islamic Excursions Among the Converted Peoples by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0375706488 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 07 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: India : A Wounded Civilization by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 1400030757 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 08 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: An Area of Darkness by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0375708359 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 09 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0375707166 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 13 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: A Way in the World : A Novel by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0679761667 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 24 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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