A Man of Mystery and Other Stories

by Shiva Naipaul

Sharply observed, wryly comic yet touched with sadness, these eight stories were written between 1969 and 1974. 'A Man of Mystery' charts the tragic downfall of Mr Green, a shoemaker overtaken by commercialization. Other stories range from the hilarious rivalry of a group of competitors in 'The Beauty Contest' to the heartbreaking disintegration of a marriage in 'The Dolly House'. Masterpieces of storytelling, they successfully capture the absurdities and pathos of human behaviour.

Genres: Fiction

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Shiva Naipaul was a Trinidadian-born British novelist and journalist, known for his incisive fiction and travel writing. The younger brother of V. S. Naipaul, he studied at University College, Oxford, before publishing his debut novel, Fireflies (1970), which won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. He followed with The Chip-Chip Gatherers (1973) before turning to non-fiction with North of South (1978) and Black & White (1980), exploring postcolonial societies. His final novel, A Hot Country (1983), marked a shift in his literary style. Despite mixed critical reception during his lifetime, his work has since been reassessed for its sharp prose and unique perspective.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Shiva Naipaul never disappoints. A running theme of pride, discontentment and contentment, social position and attempts to better oneself and/or extend oneself beyond what one should. Stories were way more engaging than I expected, and I have a better appreciation for the short story format after reading this collection.

[Sayam Asjad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't impressed much by this book. It's a collection of short stories. Some of the stories in the collection explore themes of identity, culture, and relationships, while others delve into mystery or suspense. The book offers a range of emotions and perspectives, as is common in short story collections.