A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A House for Mr. Biswas
Book Review: Naipaul's best
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the most satisfying novels I have ever read. In my admittedly non-erudite opinion, it is the author's best work. At the least, it is his most honest one, free of a certain smug condescension and pretentiousness that seems to creep into his later works. The writing is richly detailed (none of it superfluous), with a brilliantly understated sense of hapless comedy underscoring the tragedy of Mohun Biswas's life. If you like prose that is not pompous, full of gentle wit, and clearly in the hands of a master, and a story of rare poignancy - this is your book.Book Review: Naipaul's best..
Summary: 5 Stars
"A House for Mr. Biswas" is probably Naipaul's best - can't recommend it highly enough. Naipaul is a master at understated, calm, unobtrusive story telling.. As I read this most absorbingly keen book, I couldn't help but be hypnotized by this story of a man's search for "independence" in post-colonial Trinidad.What a book! What a writer!
Book Review: Nobel Prize Press Release
Summary: 5 Stars
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2001V.S. Naipaul
The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2001 is awarded to the British writer, born in Trinidad, V.S. Naipaul
"for having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories".
Book Review: One man's quest for a house of his own. [4.5 stars]
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. (Mohan) Biswas had an unlucky birth. He was born at the wrong time of day and the midwife claimed that he would "eat up his own mother and father." From his birth Mohan struggled with the midwife's prophesy while trying to get his life on the correct track, gain independence, and most importantly, to purchase a house for his family away from his meddling in-laws that would give him some peace and quiet. At the surface this novel appears to tell a simple tale of one man's life, but as the story progresses it becomes evident that there is much more to this story than what first meets the eye. V.S. Naipaul spins a delightful tale of rural Indian populations in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The reader gains a perspective on the multi-cultural history of this island nation while assimilating new beliefs and customs. This novel creates an atmosphere full of poverty, dirt, and apathy but in the midst the main protagonist is determined to make it one his own terms and conditions. Amongst it all there is a clear sense of hope.
There is little doubt that the character of Mohan is certainly not an overall likeable man. He has a tendency to be selfish and rude to those who have helped him. But at other times I felt pity and compassion as some of his dearest altruistic actions failed miserably. Mohan is a wonderful yet flawed character.
One of the aspects of this novel that I loved most was the humor that often made me laugh out loud! Mohan's interactions with his wife's extended family are often hilarious and riotous. He can certainly make a fool of himself if left to his devices. But I have to admit that the best part were the stories that he wrote while working as journalism in Port of Spain. I continue to laugh just thinking about them!
Overall, THE HOUSE OF MR. BISWAS was a wonderful and rewarding reading experience for me that drew on virtually all emotions. I was immediately drawn into the plot and the plight of Mr. Biswas and felt compassion for him (except, of course, when he was making a fool of himself). Don't let the length of this book put you off; it is definitely worth the time investment. Highly recommended.
Book Review: One man's quest for autonomy.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a selection in our reading group and we were unanimous in our enjoyment of it. It remains our highest rated of all books we've read over an eighteen month period, and one of my all-time faves.It is set in postcolonial Trinidad, and is filled with the wonderful idioms of Trinidadian English.
Mr. Biswas' expectations and dreams are not all that grandiose (or so it would seem). I mean, all the poor guy wants is a house of his own, some dignity and privacy... some distance between his own family and the irritations of his in-laws, the pushy, domineering Tulsis.
But all of his efforts seem to meet with calamity. Time after time, through events hilarious, but at times, downright sad, we learn to love to pity Mr. Biswas.
We follow him through a plethora of jobs, from sign painter and plantation overseer (Mr. Biswas miserable) to hilariously inventive and ever-optimistic journalist (Mr. Biswas happy).
We continue to hope his ship will come in, and we stay with him throughout his entire life as son, husband, father, and family man until his final triumph... a very peculiar house of his own.
The strength of the book is in how Naipaul uses humor to portray the un-funny struggle that people in impoverished circumstances face when trying to reach even modest goals.
As such, Mr. Biswas' world is presented as realistically bleak as ever, in a novel that isn't.
A poignant book, maybe even flawless.