In https://derrickjknight.com/2022/05/09/the-enigma-of-arrival/ I observe that ‘this outstanding work chronicles the life history of the man interlaced with that of the writer,
Once again in ‘A Way in the World’, the writer seems to be in search of himself and his global arrival through the voices of fictional narrators. On this occasion the geographical and historical sweeps are far broader, taking us backwards and forwards in time from the author’s roots in Trinidad, around the Caribbean and the mainlands of Europe, South America and Africa from the days of Sir Walter Raleigh.
Is this a novel? Is it a world history? Is it a memoir? V.S. Naipaul, the author claims the work is a novel. It is in the form as he has stretched it.
It is also an exploration of the human condition, including political, emotional, and racial realities; people’s essential self interest, cruelty, hatred and fear of differences between groups and cultures. Racism, ambition, open and disguised conflicts are prevalent. I learned much about the dreadful conditions of slavery in the colonial and post-colonial Caribbean. The consequences of political emancipation in Africa are portrayed in the last chapter of this sequence of linked narratives.
There is evidence of warmth and trust between individuals, and the writer’s humour remains a feature. Fundamentally the stories are of people who are struggling, often unsuccessfully, yet with hope, to find ‘A Way in the World’. The writer has represented his own origins and arrival at literary maturity over five centuries.
This is the illustration which adorns the front cover of Heinemann’s paperback edition of 1994.
You do have a simply splendid library Derrick
Thank you very much, Sheree
You know I’m very envious don’t you? Garden or library? The latter every time.
Thank you so much, Sheree. This comment might just get me opening my copy of Leslie Stephen’s ‘Hours in a Library’ https://derrickjknight.com/2014/05/05/hours-in-a-library/
I too need more bookshelves but have nowhere to put them 😞
I don’t know if you have gathered this, but that room is the garage
Yes, I think you mentioned that before. Sadly, I can’t convert my garage
I agree with Sheree. The cover art reminds me of Rousseau.
Thanks a lot, Merril
Sounds like an interesting book!
Thanks very much, Dwight
One to put on my TBR list. As soon as I’m done with this comment, I’ll see if I can get it through interlibrary loan.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I haven’t read the book so it’s difficult really to comment, but I do really like the book cover with the little girl and the leopard.
Thank you very much, John
Lovely book review and picture. You do read impressive things, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Pat
Thanks very much for the review, Derrick. I’ve added it to my To Read List. I love Heinemann’s cover art.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene. I thought you would like the book
An interesting review, Derrick.
Thanks very much, GP
Sounds interesting and worth reading.
Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I think I may have read some of his short stories in college, although I haven’t read any of his novels. I like the idea of blurring genre boundaries.
He is very good at the blurring – and apparently had to insist on this being termed a novel. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. I admire a writer who refuses to be shut into a particular genre box.
Oh, thanks for this review! Sounds interesting. And the art just captures me in to read!
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn
I enjoyed your review, Derrick, and the illustration.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
V S Naipual’s writing can be addictive. I quite enjoyed your brief but forceful overview.
Thank you very much, Uma. Your opinion is important. to me.
I guess no matter if it’s past or present, we all are trying to find our way in the world! Sounds a really interesting book!
We are indeed, Ribana. Thank you very much