A house for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul

Set in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Reread on 2019/01: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZidtHHq7V/

What’s the type of house Mr. #biswas is ultimately looking for? In this second time reading #vsnaipaul ‘s #masterpiece there is no way to avoid Biswas’ relentless desire to make his dream a reality and how much he fails at it. Obviously the deep message going on here transcends the #house . Instead it touches everything we so desire to accomplish and the moment we realize the reality of both the path followed and the unexpected and seemingly disastrous results. #naipaul is giving us a master class on how much whatever we deeply wish for ourselves and the way we aim to achieve that inevitably end up transforming us and the dream itself. Of course I can’t possibly talk about #ahouseformrbiswas without all the #caribbean #indian and #trinidadiancultural references which give so much force and volume to the text. I’m going to hold on to the #caribbeanlit thought and link it to the other masterpiece I’m going to be talking about tomorrow. #highlyrecommended #vintagebooks#rereadmarathon #reread #portofspain#trinidadianliterature #nobelprizewinner#indotrinidadian #familyissues#trinidadandtobago

Reviewed on 2017/03: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUqCYmEBGLi/

I had an idea of #naipaul‘s absolute genius BUT nothing quite prepared me for #mrbiswas At first a seemingly simple story: a man looking to build his own #house for himself and his family. Quickly Naipaul builds a web of constraints and tribulations for the poor man: #britishcolonialism overwhelming Indian families, #racerelations, the weight of tradition and WWII Biswas seemed destined to fail. History is not on his side. However in a #quixotic and homeric impetus, Biswas perseveres relying on sarcasm, unexpected allies and adapting, you know, adapting against it all in a good #caribbean #indian #trinidanian way! #highlyrecommended #ahouseformrbiswas#vsnaipaul @vintageanchorbooks #trinidad#trinidadandtobago #portofspain#trinidianliterature #caribbeanliterature#nobelprizeforliterature #hindi#indotrinidadian