V.S. Naipaul, Dies Aged 85

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

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And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary