Hello
Gentle Reader
By
contemporary memories standards there has been no writer currently writing who
has done as much for post-colonial literature, as well as literature of South
American (and the Caribbean), Indian literature, as well as English literature,
then V.S. Naipaul. On the same hand, there has not been a writer as prickly, contemptuous,
vitriolic, and controversial as V.S. Naipaul. There has also never been a
writer (by contemporary standards) who has been blessed with being both
controversially infuriating and critically acclaimed and applauded, as V.S.
Naipaul. Throughout his long and illustrious career, the author was both hailed
and deplored; yet his talents could never be dismissed. The same, however, can
not necessarily be said about his character.
V.S.
Naipaul began his literary career with comedic novels, but over time his gaze
grew more cynical, more social, and steely. He displayed with unflinching and
brutal honesty the terrors and horrors of colonialism, and the following panic
and dread of post-colonialism. All the while the author explored ideas of place
and its correlation to identity, themes which preoccupied throughout his long
career. His travelogues, essays, and novels have depicted with abrupt honesty
the terrors of the developing world; infuriated the people who reside within
their nations, who accused him of casting a contemptuous eye on their struggles
for development and modernity; while others appreciated the abrupt, forthright
and acerbic commentary he had employed when discussing these otherwise ‘sensitive,’
topics. Despite this he would go on win to numerous accolades in his life time
and career, including but not limited to: The Booker Prize and the Nobel Prize
for Literature; as well as a knighthood.
Throughout
his life though, Naipaul, inspired numerous feuds with many high profile
associates and fellow writers which included but not limited to: Derek Walcott,
Salman Rushdie, and his former student (though they did make peace in the end) Paul
Theroux. He famously stated he could within a paragraph or two whether or not a
piece of writing was done by a woman or not (which outraged many, and earned
him the title: misogynist). He declared the rampant rise of Islam and Islamic law
(sharia law) to that of colonialism. Yet, throughout it all, the authors work
could not be ignored, and its startling and often disturbing portrait won him acclaim
worldwide. He was a finicky national treasure, and many nations claimed them as
his own. Yet the author, a literary chameleon and fussy individual refuted all
claims of assertions of property or belonging.
Now,
tributes, obituaries, articles, and interviews are written and resurface, commemorating
and remembering the late Trinidad-Indian English language author, who chronicled
the last half of the twentieth century both with comedy, but also uncomfortable
irony; who brutally and unapologetically described and defined the often
squandered world of colonialism and post-colonialism. Yet, these
accomplishments, literary and personal cannot be overlooked or ignored, despite
their otherwise uncomfortable content. V.S. Naipaul was certainly a writer of
the times, and a chronicler of the age.
Rest
in Peace, V.S. Naipaul.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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