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Title: India : A Wounded Civilization by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 1-4000-3075-7 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 08 April, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.54 (13 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Like a fiery red curry without the chillies!
Comment: "Is that all????" was my predomindant thought when I finished reading this book. At a time when VS Naipaul is being alternatively feted, derided, fawned upon and sneered at, the very least I expected was a huge canvas of thought and an incisive mind - with politial incorrectness and nastiness thrown in for good measure. Well, there's enough of the latter in this book, but wheres the original mind, the brilliant(never mind if it's unflattering) insight into the 'Indian' psyche?
In a society where plurality is often unwelcome, and straight-out honesty mistaken for *idol*-bashing, I was so looking forward to a few home-truths. All I got was a fairly articulate study of an 'alien' world. If we went to Mars and tried to understand the little green men and their society, I suspect this is what we would write. Factually correct, derisive, and a clear view of *us-and-them*. I do share a lot of Mr. Naipaul's disdain for the Indian way of life, but not his reasons, which unfortunately come off as incomprehension rather than a logically reasoned argument, or even superior understanding and morality.
And sadly lacking was that refreshingly brilliant mind. The difference was for its own sake, not because what he had to say was unique.
But would I recommend the book anyway? Sure, it IS different, the political incorrectness IS satisfying, and the point-of-view IS worth a peek. But dont make the mistake I did, and expect the blinding light of sagacity in the writing :-)
Rating: 5
Summary: a brilliant essay
Comment: This is not academic work that tries to cover an issue from some kind of systematic methodology that is currently in fashion. Instead, it is an extremely dense essay by an original novelist on what makes India what it is: chaotic, without a sense of historical continuity - his contrast with the European narrative that moves from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance/Reformation and Enlightenment to the industrial democracies is absolutely fascinating and yet deliciously succinct - and struggling to forge a modern identity in the post-colonial independence. What the reader gets is an interpretation, the details of which (s)he must fill in or debate oneself. Naipaul even does brilliant literary criticism of contemporary Indian novels in this book to shed light on his ideas, which as anecdotal and quirky as they are are always interesting. Disagree we might, but he stimulates even in error. Even after almost 30 years from its original publication, this essay is worth the read, if only to explore the reasoning behind rejecting it (I couldn't totally).
Warmly recommended.
Rating: 4
Summary: Naipaul a wounded Indian.
Comment: Naipauls premise here is shattering. Using the considerable literary talents at his disposal, he unravels a sordid picture of a nation historically and ideologically preprogrammed to run aground at every level.Unfortunately the evidence with which he carefully chooses to back up his grand denouement, is decidedly shoddy. Granted this is not a scholarly work, but the staggering conclusions that he draws from his pot pourri of annecdotal and other seemingly(not uninteresting) arbitrary sources beg at the very least some objectivity. Using cases in point as disparate as Gandhi's memoirs, the works of R.K. Narayan and a Sudhir Kakkars dubious interpretation of the indian psyche - he preselects his mottoes and offers ready explanations. In the chaotic orchestration that ensues, Mr. Naipaul succeeds only in muddying the waters. One can sense Naipauls involvement here - he really does care. At best he affords us tantalizing questions; at worst he ends up looking like a pompous, opinionated colonial posterboy. Highly recommended.
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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: Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey by V.S. Naipaul ISBN: 0394711955 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 12 July, 1982 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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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: 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 Million Mutinies Now by V. S. Naipaul ISBN: 0140156801 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: January, 1992 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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