"Brilliant. . . . A powerfully observed, stylistically elegant exploration." --The New York Times
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reviews
Mar 09, 2008
I only read the section on Iran, but much of that section -"Justice of Ali" - was fascinating (despite my reservations about Naipaul going into the book). It is extremely moving in its discussion of the 8 yr. war between Iran and Iraq. My big complaint is that Naipaul does not give Iranian women a voice. He only includes the voices of the men he has interviewed, and though he has the opportunity to interview women, he inexplicably chooses to leave their voices out (even as he acknowl
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Sep 28, 2011
Patrick
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I felt compelled to follow up reading V.S. Naipaul's Beyond Belief soon after reading Among the Believers. so as have a sense of continuity. In this book, he re-vists the four converted Islamic countries (Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia) that he went to 14 years prior and tracks down some of the previous people he had interviewed before, as well as some new subjects. It seems as though he came away with more negative impression than before, but perhaps I am mistaken. People in Iran are ruled
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Mar 28, 2008
Katie
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Naipaul has an amazing ability to get people to reveal intimate details of their life stories - and then to thread the stories together to reveal deeper truths about a particular society. The section on Indonesia (where I live) was good, but the sections on Iran and Pakistan were particularly thought provoking and kept me reading late into the night.
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Jan 02, 2012
William
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Excellent travelogue and series of observations of the effects of Islam on human behavior by a great author reporting on his personal encounters with people and personages throughout some of the many countries that have fallen to Islamic/Arab conquest, and also, if I recall correctly, with Islamist foreign nationals living in England.
The author was born to a Indian family in Trinidad, a British colony. He later studied at Oxford, and pursued a journalistic career in England. Many of More...
The author was born to a Indian family in Trinidad, a British colony. He later studied at Oxford, and pursued a journalistic career in England. Many of More...
Oct 11, 2010
Laura
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What I learned: Islam is an Arab religion and “it makes imperial “Arabizing” demands on its converts”. (Robert Irwin, Guardian - back of book)
What has this Arab Islam done to the histories of Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia?
What is Arab Islam’s affect on it’s converts and their futures in their respective countries?
These are just a few of the questions that are addressed by Naipaul in this compelling read. In 1979 he visited Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan and Mal More...
What has this Arab Islam done to the histories of Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia?
What is Arab Islam’s affect on it’s converts and their futures in their respective countries?
These are just a few of the questions that are addressed by Naipaul in this compelling read. In 1979 he visited Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan and Mal More...
Aug 07, 2011
Andrew
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Terrific look at Islam's effect on non-Arab countries that previously had different histories and cultures (e.g. Iran, Indonesia). Naipaul is a tremendous observer of the human condition and above all, a true humanist. Hard to disagree with his conclusion that Islam is the most comprehensive form of imperialism, in that it erases any history that precedes it. The chapter on Pakistan is devastating, and that was written over ten years ago.
Jul 06, 2009
Barb
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the follow up to his "among the Believers..." 15 years later. also excellent.
Dec 16, 2009
Chris
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In 1995, Naipaul traveled through the four non-Arab Islamic countries (Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, and Malaysia) to explore how life has changed since the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini. His portraits are riviting and beautiful, though one must keep in mind Naipauls very conservative politics back home in India.
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Sep 11, 2008
Jono
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it was great to read this one after reading among the believers. it revisits the non-arab countries that he had previously visited. reading the tales of the people he encounters understanding their struggles helps the non muslim readers identify with individuals who come from those regions.
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Sep 22, 2011
Good book. He tells the Islamic story that he left when writing Among Believers. It helps us to understand Islamic world better as there is division among Arab and non Arab Muslims and their way of thinking.
Jun 13, 2008
Leslie
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Pretty enlightening...There are especially vivid descriptions of Indonesia's countryside (and social problems). The long chapters on Pakistan and Iran are particularly relevant even though the book was written in 1995.
Mar 12, 2009
Nathan
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A subdued,subtle portrait of ordinary people living ordinary lives, rendered in Naipaul's gently evocative prose. There is no plot to speak of, so it often rambles. Sometimes boring, but never unpleasant.
Jul 28, 2007
calandra
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great scholar that naipaul is, he provides a general overview and characterization of islam in key countries from back in the day. definitely learned a lot from this book.
Sep 08, 2008
Euis Emalia
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sangat menarik mengikuti sejarah perjalanan islam di negara -negara yang dikunjungi VS . Naipuli , pengarang yang pernah mendapat Nobel.
Oct 05, 2007
Aulia
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the thoughts of "islamic yet plural" leader im my country -indonesia- especially and some asian country
Feb 11, 2012
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