In his long-awaited, vastly innovative new novel, Naipaul, "one of literature's great travelers" (Los Angles Times), spans continents and...
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reviews
Nov 02, 2010
Michael
rated it: 
Not a bad book...just sort of 'scattered'...
To borrow the authors' own words...this book is a slippery piece of work. You slip about and lose your footing. It's nice and easy and clear and brilliant for many pages...then, you suddenly feel you've not been paying attention. The author would say those periods are precisely the places you (the reader) have to identify as that is where the writer decides to add and hide things. The book is VERY well written. I learned a lot from the hist More...
To borrow the authors' own words...this book is a slippery piece of work. You slip about and lose your footing. It's nice and easy and clear and brilliant for many pages...then, you suddenly feel you've not been paying attention. The author would say those periods are precisely the places you (the reader) have to identify as that is where the writer decides to add and hide things. The book is VERY well written. I learned a lot from the hist More...
May 18, 2011
Andrew
rated it: 
Naipaul's usual, wonderful trait is to tell a great story with Caribbean life as a backdrop. Here I just felt like he was telling of Caribbean life with a story as a backdrop. It felt a bit messy and left little space for Naipaul to use his amazing talents as a storyteller. Not unenjoyable, but it was a lot less than I hoped for.
Sep 18, 2011
Simon
rated it:
I really can't say I enjoyed reading this book. I am actually surprised I finished it; since at times it is wooden and tiring. There are other parts where Naipaul's talent shines, but unfortunately they seem deeply flawed to me by the writer's perspective on race. Not only has Naipaul made some outrageous comments on Muslims (and women, who have little of a role in this book) in public, I also perceived "A Way in the World" as fraught with racial stereotypes or at least perspectives on
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Mar 12, 2011
Jack
rated it:
My first exposer to this author. In spots it grabs your attention,but overall I found it excrutiatingly
boring.
boring.
May 07, 2011
Colleen
rated it: 
Just damned good literature. This was a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. The first time was about 15 years ago.
Jun 11, 2011
I have a hundred books on Kindle, and absolutely no reason to go to the library. And once there, a little self-control should have kept me from picking this up. Tut tut.
But Naipaul, writing on Colonial history in the Caribbean? How could I resist?
But Naipaul, writing on Colonial history in the Caribbean? How could I resist?
Jan 23, 2008
Zeke
rated it: 
Hmm... I'd probably have to read this book again, and brush up on my colonial history to appreaciate it as much as I should.
It's sort of a mishmash of colonial experiences, from Trinidad and Venezuela to east Africa, from the perspective of Eurpoeans (with and without money), immigrants, native peoples, and slaves.
It's sort of a mishmash of colonial experiences, from Trinidad and Venezuela to east Africa, from the perspective of Eurpoeans (with and without money), immigrants, native peoples, and slaves.
Sep 23, 2008
Kathy
rated it: 
I had to give up on this one. Naipaul is wandering all over the world and time without, I judge, getting anywhere. When I was more than halfway through, I decided it wouldn't get any better so I quit. The writing is more than good, but the narrative was too lacking in purpose or coherence.
Oct 07, 2009
Lidia
rated it:
Viewing the consequences of colonialism through a kaleidoscope…colorful fragments, twisting and turning in a confined encounter with space and time, are illuminated by a dazzling yet haunting truth that flows from the author’s unapologetic perspective and expert poetic lexis.
Nov 03, 2010
Barrett
rated it:
looks like a lot of people on this site gave up on this book. i can see why. the chapters on raleigh and miranda are way too long and indulgent. don't beat yourself up for skimming them. however, overall naipul does a great job of combining humanity and history in this novel.
Jul 10, 2010
Ann
rated it:
I gave up on this one about half way through. I think if I were familiar with his other works, it might have been interesting. It was a mistake to read this book first.
Apr 21, 2011
David
rated it:
All the usual Naipaul themes, not his best, not his worst. May have connected more if I hadn't put it down for a few weeks.
Jan 05, 2010
David
rated it:
what a tightly observed, capitivating book. A novel/memoir, a social history, and perfectly told.
Feb 13, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
This seems like a book I should have liked, but I could never get into it enough to finish it.
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