A Bend in the River by Naipaul
 

Just recently finished it.

I'm not going to write a full-on review. In summary I will say, he has a very natural, flowing way with the English language. Rich in content, but easy to read. It's largely, for the lack of a better word, a psychological novel. The observations of an outsider in a strange place. It has to do in part with mood, yet not moody. Has to do with violence, but not violent. All about relationships, yet no relationships--if you read it, you will see what I mean.

A fine work by a master. Simple and rich.

I'm proud of you.

I think that if you ask yourself who's a bigger POS out of Roman Palonski and V.S. Naipaul, it's a close call. Not a slam dunk for Naipaul. But I don't really care.

I appreciate how Naipaul lays bare problems with colonialism, clash of cultures, etc., but doesn't sentimentalize indigenous peoples. He shares that virtue with McCarthy.

Waters, I bet you'd like Waiting for the Barbarians, by Coetzee.

MW, it's been a while since you posted this summary, but I just saw it today and have a question:

Did you see the beating of his lover as symbolic (native/colonial and Africa/Europe love hate relationship) or something else – like drawing on the author's life?

As SU alludes, I believe if this book was published today it would be widely criticized for its unflattering, but honest, portrayal of the indigenous. Unquestionably Naipaul is a master of the English language, though a bad person.

I don't think about books in that way. I stopped writing essays after my freshman year in college, so I don't have to dissect, analyze, deconstruct, find themes, etc.

It just is.

I also don't really care what his personal life.

I'm not sure I can tell you what a good person is or a bad person is.

It's like music. Certain notes will cause vibrations of my own strings--harmonics, dissonance, convergence. Some things will be important to me, some things will be important to you.

Perhaps the fact that something can linger, yet feel unexplainable, is a sign of greatness.