No writer has rendered our boundariless, post-colonial world more acutely or prophetically than V. S. Naipaul, or given its upheavals such a haunti...
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Feb 02, 2012
Courtney
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In A Free State is a collection of two short stories and a novella, with two even shorter stories bookending them. Though each story takes place on a different continent (North America, Europe, and Africa) and have vastly different facts, they are tied together by themes of displacement and dependency; each tells the stories of the relationships that are formed and which sustain and ruin the characters in their immigrated-to homes, during eras that were as filled with upheavals as were the indiv
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Jan 05, 2012
Lady Jane
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This is one of Naipaul’s most successful works. It is an eclectic compilation of narratives written in the minimalist style that is characteristic of Anglophone literature. The minimalism of its style, however, does not make it any less deep. The tales in this book are based on the lives of characters who are somehow pitifully depicted as slaves to their socioeconomic conditions, which is a sad and common reality to the human experience, and now it can be related to the many people who are alleg
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Jan 21, 2012
randy
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Facts are facts: Naipaul's prose is extraordinarily exquisite. I caught myself thinking a few times while reading this that reading this is better than being high.
That is some amazing power of prose right there.
Before I picked this up (on the merit of it being a big influence on Kiran Desai's Inheritance of Loss) I knew next to nothing about Naipaul aside that he was considered a great writer. Now, he is on my must read list & went out and got my second book from him toda More...
That is some amazing power of prose right there.
Before I picked this up (on the merit of it being a big influence on Kiran Desai's Inheritance of Loss) I knew next to nothing about Naipaul aside that he was considered a great writer. Now, he is on my must read list & went out and got my second book from him toda More...
Apr 28, 2011
Paul
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There are three novellas with a very short piece at the beginning and end. The focus is on being in a foreign/strange land. The longest novella deals with Africa at the end of empire; two white colonials travelling across an African state (possibly Uganda) at a time of change. It highlights their fears, prejudices and feelings about the future. There is a strong sense of threat (real or imagined; you decide) as they travel and a sense of something ending. The story about an Indian in Wshington D
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Apr 23, 2011
Avital
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Somewhat numbing. I liked two stories, one about an Indian servant who leaves India with his employer. The other about an Indian who wants to give his brother better opportunities, and leaves India after him. Everybody fails miserably or feels he does.
I wished both stories went on-I could read a whole novel about each. They are about foreignness, loneliness, prejudice, as are the other two lesser stories (well, more of testimonies of brutality) and as is the novella.
The novella is More...
I wished both stories went on-I could read a whole novel about each. They are about foreignness, loneliness, prejudice, as are the other two lesser stories (well, more of testimonies of brutality) and as is the novella.
The novella is More...
Jul 28, 2011
Natascia
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A great novel even if a bit harsh, dry and cynical. It's about individuals feeling free but out of place, in unfamiliar lands and confronted by alien cultures. It's a road trip set in Africa and the two main English characters travel from the capital towards their governmental Compound. Bobby and Linda show two different perceptions of Africa and their opposing view sustains the conversation throughout their journey. They both felt 'free' in Africa yet their freedom appears to be just a state of
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May 30, 2011
Eric
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5 stars for each of the first 2 stories - wonderful, touching and tragic.
The third and main story - very slow and very unsympathetic characters. It took way too long for anything to happen. A false promising start, I thought it was going to be gritty, sexy, heart-breaking, but no, it turned into an eternal road trip of 2 miserable expats bitching at each other. Plenty of foreboding moments that got me all too excited that this pair were about to get the hidings they deserved. But nothing h More...
The third and main story - very slow and very unsympathetic characters. It took way too long for anything to happen. A false promising start, I thought it was going to be gritty, sexy, heart-breaking, but no, it turned into an eternal road trip of 2 miserable expats bitching at each other. Plenty of foreboding moments that got me all too excited that this pair were about to get the hidings they deserved. But nothing h More...
Dec 03, 2011
Geraldine
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The first 2 stories were quite readable, but the third one entitled "In a Free State" was a real chore to read. The 2 characters Bobby and Linda were obscure, unlikeable and boring. It all seemed very disjointed. Maybe a metaphor for the country and the nature of being in a" free state " of mind and body,when ruled by colonialists, but it did not work for me.
Preferred " Troubles" as a book about a colonial power. Both Booker prize winners, in 1970 and 1971, s More...
Preferred " Troubles" as a book about a colonial power. Both Booker prize winners, in 1970 and 1971, s More...
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Nov 10, 2011
Mimi
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I hadn't read Naipaul in a long time so picked up this one I had never read. The main novella, the title of the book is a brooding, suspenseful trip through a central African nation in a time of conflict. We see the beautiful countryside and the unfortunate people through the eyes of the two main characters, deeply-flawed and European who usually live safely in a compound they are headed for. Two other long short stories are tales of displacement and emigration, and then there are two short shor
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Jan 12, 2012
John
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 08, 2012
Katy
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I enjoyed the short stories much better than the longer "In A Free State." I never really understood Bobby and Linda... there were moments that were hilarious, moments that were scary, and a lot of things that I really just didn't get. I think i need to think of this one more. Booker Prize winner #4 is finished!
Book Club Discussion (posted 1/8/12):
The Goodreads description of this book of course focuses on the major narrative of this novel, In A Free State. More...
Book Club Discussion (posted 1/8/12):
The Goodreads description of this book of course focuses on the major narrative of this novel, In A Free State. More...
Feb 14, 2008
James
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The central novella, reads as a Cold War Heart of Darkness. It's the sexiest book I've ever read. The "free state" itself is a fictional artifact, but is clearly inspired by Idi Amin's Uganda. The protagonist is a mentally unstable, homosexual foreign-services worker who has to drive from the capital to the center of the country where he and an ambassador's wife will be able to find shelter on the grounds of the British embassy.
Naipaul presents central Africa as an unfathoma More...
Naipaul presents central Africa as an unfathoma More...
Jul 12, 2009
Deb
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very readable, great characters, a bit dated but a truly thought-provoking book apart from the very short part referring to egypt at the vey end (which was the reason i was initially attracted to the book!)-it depicts egyptians as small-minded and cruel! life here is hard and certainly was 39 years ago when Naipaul was here but it is a very harsh view of egypt that he shows-he made no effort to get to understand the mentality of the people here or the motivation for their behaviour...shame!! oth
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Nov 23, 2010
Adam
rated it: 
V.S. Naipaul pulled off something truly amazing...winning an award for this book.
It's essentially the same story told 5 times in a row with a writing style that is without metaphor or class.
Everything is to the point, dull and discussed as though this is the first time the reader has read about someone being prejudiced against.
It's also disappointing that the longest piece is easily the worst.
Avoid this book unless its required by your professor.
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It's essentially the same story told 5 times in a row with a writing style that is without metaphor or class.
Everything is to the point, dull and discussed as though this is the first time the reader has read about someone being prejudiced against.
It's also disappointing that the longest piece is easily the worst.
Avoid this book unless its required by your professor.
More...
Dec 31, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I finished this one in just a couple of days. It's a most intriguing book, from the very early days of the Booker. Here's the link to the post on my ANZ LitLovers blog.
http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/2008/1...
I finished reading this book and journalled it on 29.12.08.
http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/2008/1...
I finished reading this book and journalled it on 29.12.08.
May 30, 2011
He's a gifted writer. I liked reading all the other stories/vignettes better than Bobby's and Linda's, though maybe that was the point considering how violent/disturbing/worrisome Bobby's part of the story was. He handled diverse viewpoints as though he came from all of them I thought.
Jan 27, 2012
John
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This book is very well crafted. Mr. Naipaul is obviously a master of his craft. I completely understand why it won the Booker Prize.
But I've rarely been so bored with a book in my life. It just had zero interest for me.
But I've rarely been so bored with a book in my life. It just had zero interest for me.
Aug 12, 2010
Ahmar
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Not as good as A Bend in the River, but a great short read. Enjoyed the colonial caricatures. The stereotypes, the contradictions, the finding-oneself-in-a-foreign-land. Good stuff.
Jun 28, 2011
David
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An amazing tale of two people living in Africa. Can see why he won the Booker. Excellent read.
Apr 24, 2009
Milan/zzz
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Loved this book a lot. Written in ascetic style but you just can't add anything to it.
Sep 23, 2011
Kyall
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Likely, a second read would assist me to process this. I enjoyed it, modestly.
Feb 15, 2009
Amy
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I just didn't get this book. I liked the first story but the second story I just didn't get. And, I haven't finished the last story though I keep trying.
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Sep 14, 2010
Hayley
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Good read. Naipaul is kind of a an annoying person though.
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Feb 12, 2012
Rhianne
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This book thoroughly failed to grab my attention at all, and as such, I didn't feel it was worth pushing on and finishing it.
Jul 12, 2010
Erin
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Oh, how I miss Tolstoy - and I never did like Conrad.
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