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The Mystic Masseur
The first of Naipaul’s twelve novels tells of the meteoric rise and hilarious metamorphosis of Ganesh Ramsumair from failed primary schoolteacher and struggling masseur to author, revered mystic, peerless politician and the most popular man in Trinidad.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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438 people want to read
About the author
V.S. Naipaul
190 books1,788 followersV. S. Naipaul was a British writer of Indo-Trinidadian descent known for his sharp, often controversial explorations of postcolonial societies, identity, and displacement. His works, which include both fiction and nonfiction, often depict themes of exile, cultural alienation, and the lingering effects of colonialism.
He gained early recognition with A House for Mr Biswas, a novel inspired by his father’s struggles in Trinidad. His later works, such as The Mimic Men, In a Free State, and A Bend in the River, cemented his reputation as a masterful and incisive writer. Beyond fiction, his travelogues and essays, including Among the Believers and India: A Million Mutinies Now, reflected his critical perspective on societies in transition.
Naipaul received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded for his ability to blend deep observation with literary artistry. While praised for his prose, his often unsparing portrayals of postcolonial nations and controversial statements sparked both admiration and criticism.
He gained early recognition with A House for Mr Biswas, a novel inspired by his father’s struggles in Trinidad. His later works, such as The Mimic Men, In a Free State, and A Bend in the River, cemented his reputation as a masterful and incisive writer. Beyond fiction, his travelogues and essays, including Among the Believers and India: A Million Mutinies Now, reflected his critical perspective on societies in transition.
Naipaul received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded for his ability to blend deep observation with literary artistry. While praised for his prose, his often unsparing portrayals of postcolonial nations and controversial statements sparked both admiration and criticism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
May 19, 2025
"The Mystic Masseur" is a classic by acclaimed Trinbagonian author V.S. Naipaul. Written partly in humorous Trinidadian dialect, the story tells the tale of a Trini man of South Asian (i.e., Indian) descent who accidentally stumbles to success in life, through a series of hilarious, fortuitous (mis)happenings. On a deeper level, however, the story appears to be a satirical one. It chronicles the ascendancy of Indians onto the political scene in Trinidad and Tobago in the post WWII era. Interestingly, the narrative even dares to touch on controversial (almost taboo) issues of corruption in Trini politics.
Having recently been on holiday in Trinidad (and Tobago), to visit family, the strains of Trini dialect were fresh in my mind as I immersed myself fully in the world of "The Mystic Masseur." Many times I caught myself chuckling as I read the colorful dialogue between characters which was really "Trini to de bone" and I'm not "mama guying you." In particular, the wife of the mystic masseur (i.e., the main protagonist) cracked me up constantly with her profligate use of green verbs and pink adjectives. This novel reminded me of the richness of our Caribbean culture which is showcased by the expressiveness of our dialects often infused with French and Spanish, depending on the colonial history. In the case of Trinidad, there was quite a strong French influence for a long time. This is exemplified in dialect expressions such as "It making hot!" which is derived from the French, "Il fait chaud."
The Mystic Masseur is definitely an entertaining read that I would highly recommend to anyone. The only reservation I have is that the extensive use of dialect may make this wonderful story somewhat less accessible to a wider international audience. I can imagine that the humor in the story might go over some readers heads at times. Nevertheless, if you are up for the challenge I would encourage you to give this one a go!
Having recently been on holiday in Trinidad (and Tobago), to visit family, the strains of Trini dialect were fresh in my mind as I immersed myself fully in the world of "The Mystic Masseur." Many times I caught myself chuckling as I read the colorful dialogue between characters which was really "Trini to de bone" and I'm not "mama guying you." In particular, the wife of the mystic masseur (i.e., the main protagonist) cracked me up constantly with her profligate use of green verbs and pink adjectives. This novel reminded me of the richness of our Caribbean culture which is showcased by the expressiveness of our dialects often infused with French and Spanish, depending on the colonial history. In the case of Trinidad, there was quite a strong French influence for a long time. This is exemplified in dialect expressions such as "It making hot!" which is derived from the French, "Il fait chaud."
The Mystic Masseur is definitely an entertaining read that I would highly recommend to anyone. The only reservation I have is that the extensive use of dialect may make this wonderful story somewhat less accessible to a wider international audience. I can imagine that the humor in the story might go over some readers heads at times. Nevertheless, if you are up for the challenge I would encourage you to give this one a go!
December 21, 2021
“His main point was that desire was a source of misery and therefore desire ought to be suppressed. Occasionally he went off at a tangent to discuss whether the desire to suppress desire wasn’t itself a desire; but usually he tried to be as practical as possible.”
V. S. Naipaul’s first novel, written in 1957, and although I think his ability to plumb emotions improves over the years, his humor and ability to manipulate words and dialect to tell a story beyond the story is thriving way back here.
“‘I know the sort of doctors it have in Trinidad,’ my mother used to say. ‘They think nothing of killing two three people before breakfast.'
This wasn’t as bad as it sounds: in Trinidad the midday meal is called breakfast.”
As is his eye for detail:
“...although Bissoon wore a three-piece suit, a hat, collar and tie, he wore no shoes.
‘They does keep me back,’ he said.”
and:
“...and he liked the shop. Beharry made it bright with coloured advertisements for things he didn’t stock…”
Trinidad has two prominent and distinct populations: the Black Caribbean and the East Indian - both of which are delightful. Calypso? Roti? “Hot hot” yellow pepper sauce? We went for a month to bird watch and dance, and one Sunday we tried to find a “Spiritual Baptist”(Shouter) so-called temple (a single, tiny, sweltering, windowless room) about 30 miles outside Port-of-Spain. We had a hankering for glossolalia. There were no street signs and sometimes the road itself would evaporate. We stopped several times to ask directions. The two communities seemed to be fairly segregated once outside the city. When we stopped in a largely Black community, the given directions always included: “Be careful over there in the Indian part - very dangerous.” When we sought directions in an Indian community - we were likewise warned about the great danger in any Black collection of homes. Neither, by the way, was at all dangerous - everyone we met was warm, friendly, welcoming.
The two are exploited in this tale, sometimes with (circa 1957?) racism. Black families seeking mystical cures from our titular hero, the Indians learning from “Hollywood Hindus”, with none of the Dickensian cast of characters coming out clean.
“It was their first beating, a formal affair done without anger on Ganesh’s part or resentment on Leela’s; and although it formed no part of the marriage ceremony itself, it meant much to both of them. It meant they had grown up and become independent. Ganesh had become a man; Leela a wife as privileged as any other big woman. Now she too would have tales to tell of her husband’s beatings; and when she went home she would be able to look sad and sullen as every woman should.
The moment was precious.”
V. S. Naipaul’s first novel, written in 1957, and although I think his ability to plumb emotions improves over the years, his humor and ability to manipulate words and dialect to tell a story beyond the story is thriving way back here.
“‘I know the sort of doctors it have in Trinidad,’ my mother used to say. ‘They think nothing of killing two three people before breakfast.'
This wasn’t as bad as it sounds: in Trinidad the midday meal is called breakfast.”
As is his eye for detail:
“...although Bissoon wore a three-piece suit, a hat, collar and tie, he wore no shoes.
‘They does keep me back,’ he said.”
and:
“...and he liked the shop. Beharry made it bright with coloured advertisements for things he didn’t stock…”
Trinidad has two prominent and distinct populations: the Black Caribbean and the East Indian - both of which are delightful. Calypso? Roti? “Hot hot” yellow pepper sauce? We went for a month to bird watch and dance, and one Sunday we tried to find a “Spiritual Baptist”(Shouter) so-called temple (a single, tiny, sweltering, windowless room) about 30 miles outside Port-of-Spain. We had a hankering for glossolalia. There were no street signs and sometimes the road itself would evaporate. We stopped several times to ask directions. The two communities seemed to be fairly segregated once outside the city. When we stopped in a largely Black community, the given directions always included: “Be careful over there in the Indian part - very dangerous.” When we sought directions in an Indian community - we were likewise warned about the great danger in any Black collection of homes. Neither, by the way, was at all dangerous - everyone we met was warm, friendly, welcoming.
The two are exploited in this tale, sometimes with (circa 1957?) racism. Black families seeking mystical cures from our titular hero, the Indians learning from “Hollywood Hindus”, with none of the Dickensian cast of characters coming out clean.
“It was their first beating, a formal affair done without anger on Ganesh’s part or resentment on Leela’s; and although it formed no part of the marriage ceremony itself, it meant much to both of them. It meant they had grown up and become independent. Ganesh had become a man; Leela a wife as privileged as any other big woman. Now she too would have tales to tell of her husband’s beatings; and when she went home she would be able to look sad and sullen as every woman should.
The moment was precious.”
July 17, 2012
Naipaul's first novel; a comic satire set in the Indian community on Trinidad in the 1930s and 1940s. Ganesh Ramsumair stumbles through life and marraige and into the masseur of the titile, quite by accident. His political career is also entirely accidental.There is a splendid cast of colourful characters and thr comice and slaprtick element is high. There is also an undernote of satire. The characters have been described as Dickensian, however I felt that there was just a touch of P G Wodehouse about the book; because it dealt with quite a small enclosed group within a wider society, which generally did not intrude into the story.
The story ends in Oxford, as the author himself ended up in Britain and I wondered if there was just a shade of the authors own journey from his homeland here. The satire is a little cruel at times and there is an element of cynicism underlying the whole story. The book was certainly amusing, but I was not quite sure whether Naipaul actually liked his characters or meant us to like them; I probably need to read more of his work to make a judgement. However, it is well written and was a quick and easy read.
The story ends in Oxford, as the author himself ended up in Britain and I wondered if there was just a shade of the authors own journey from his homeland here. The satire is a little cruel at times and there is an element of cynicism underlying the whole story. The book was certainly amusing, but I was not quite sure whether Naipaul actually liked his characters or meant us to like them; I probably need to read more of his work to make a judgement. However, it is well written and was a quick and easy read.
November 20, 2017
Relativity strikes again! The only book I had read previously by this author was "House for Mr. Biswas" which I thought very, very good and just slightly short of a five star rating (of which I am very stingy). My expectations, therefore, were much too high for "The Mystic Masseur". Granted, this is Naipaul's first book, and if I hadn't read "Biswas" my rating might be a bit higher. But to me, this does indeed feel like an early work of an author, particularly a number of intended jokes which just fall flat for me. If you haven't read Naipaul, start here and save "House for Mr. Biswas" for a few rainy, down days, periods we all have when we desperately need a literature lift: a "lili" if you will.
March 1, 2016
The book started with a strong four-star rating: It was funny, witty, insightful and captivating. Got my attention and I wanted to know what else it had to offer.
The rest of the book did not suck by all means, but let's just say it got tame. It got somehow watered down and wasn't as exciting as expected by the first seventy pages.
The characters mainly got repetetive and they weren't as funny as in the beginning. Also, somehow I felt that not enough new characters were introduced during the book. I would have liked to see more action and more variety in the characters.
The ending? Well, my feelings are two-fold:
On the one hand it sucked! How could it end like that and how horrible to see the main character be like that. On the other hand: What a brilliant way to end a book - to leave the reader wondering for all eternity...
The Mystic Masseur did give me belief that I might enjoy more of V.S. Naipaul, so I will venture on.
The rest of the book did not suck by all means, but let's just say it got tame. It got somehow watered down and wasn't as exciting as expected by the first seventy pages.
The characters mainly got repetetive and they weren't as funny as in the beginning. Also, somehow I felt that not enough new characters were introduced during the book. I would have liked to see more action and more variety in the characters.
The ending? Well, my feelings are two-fold:
On the one hand it sucked! How could it end like that and how horrible to see the main character be like that. On the other hand: What a brilliant way to end a book - to leave the reader wondering for all eternity...
The Mystic Masseur did give me belief that I might enjoy more of V.S. Naipaul, so I will venture on.
October 20, 2023
I put this book on my list after finding out it is set in Trinidad, which will help with one of my goals to read a book set in each country of the world. In this story, a narrator (who had been treated as a child by the masseur) is telling the reader about Ganesh Ramsumair, a schoolteacher who gets disillusioned with the education system and decides to switch careers. He becomes a masseur (healer) based on the advice from by his aunt, whom he calls “the Great Belcher.” When his career as a masseur stalls, he decides to write a book. Though the book is not successful, Ganesh finds creative ways to turn this failure into opportunity to gain acclaim as a mystic, businessman, and politician.
Ganesh is not a particularly likeable fellow and seems inept at almost everything he attempts. The story takes place in the 1930’s to 1950’s, and this book was published in 1957. It highlights the Indian Trinidadians living near Port of Spain. Trinidad contains a melting pot of different cultures, though some of the Indian cultural history seems to have been lost due to relocation and time. I believe it is supposed to be social satire, and I am sure I did not catch all the references. In this case, I am not familiar enough with the country to fully appreciate it. I plan to read non-fiction about Trinidadian history to gain a better perspective.
Ganesh is not a particularly likeable fellow and seems inept at almost everything he attempts. The story takes place in the 1930’s to 1950’s, and this book was published in 1957. It highlights the Indian Trinidadians living near Port of Spain. Trinidad contains a melting pot of different cultures, though some of the Indian cultural history seems to have been lost due to relocation and time. I believe it is supposed to be social satire, and I am sure I did not catch all the references. In this case, I am not familiar enough with the country to fully appreciate it. I plan to read non-fiction about Trinidadian history to gain a better perspective.
June 6, 2019
The chronicles of a Ganesh Ramsumair from a failed masseur to a popular mystic to a successful political leader.
You can almost see Naipaul's transition from an amateur writer to being a nobel prize winner.
You can almost see Naipaul's transition from an amateur writer to being a nobel prize winner.
March 19, 2017
توی این ریویو احتمال لو رفتن پایان داستان وجود داره!!!
داستان جوان هندی ای به اسم گالش که کم و بیش درس خونده. کتابای زیادی رو نصفه و نیمه میخونه و احساس باسوادی میکنه. ادم تن پروری که برای سال های طولانی تن به هیچ شغل و کاری نمیده و مدام میگه که میخواد کتاب بنویسه. بالاخره یه روز با گلچین کردن جملات کتابای مختلف، کتابی مینویسه که موفقیتی هم کسب نمیکنه. به مشت مال دادن روی میاره اما توی اون کار هم ناموفقه. بالاخره یه روز تصمیم میگیره اسم عارف رو روی خودش بذاره و به درمان روحی مردم کمک کنه. درحقیقت رمالی!!! توی اینکار شدیدا موفق میشه و شهرت و ثروت هنگفتی به دست میاره. بعدها وارد سیاست میشه، نماینده ی مجلس و حتی عضو دولت میشه!
کتاب جالبی بنظرم اومد. شاید حقیقت خیلی از سیاستمدارایی باشه که صرفا با شانس و زرنگی به مقاماتی میرسن که هرگز لایقش نیستن. سبک نگارش خاصی هم داره. غلط های املایی و نگارشی عمدی که به نوعی اون حال و هوای روستایی بودن و بی سوادی شخصیتای داستانو نشون میده. بعضا غلط های دستوری ای که نشون میده شخصیت های هندی داستان، به سختی و با غلط انگلیسی صحبت میکردن.
داستان جوان هندی ای به اسم گالش که کم و بیش درس خونده. کتابای زیادی رو نصفه و نیمه میخونه و احساس باسوادی میکنه. ادم تن پروری که برای سال های طولانی تن به هیچ شغل و کاری نمیده و مدام میگه که میخواد کتاب بنویسه. بالاخره یه روز با گلچین کردن جملات کتابای مختلف، کتابی مینویسه که موفقیتی هم کسب نمیکنه. به مشت مال دادن روی میاره اما توی اون کار هم ناموفقه. بالاخره یه روز تصمیم میگیره اسم عارف رو روی خودش بذاره و به درمان روحی مردم کمک کنه. درحقیقت رمالی!!! توی اینکار شدیدا موفق میشه و شهرت و ثروت هنگفتی به دست میاره. بعدها وارد سیاست میشه، نماینده ی مجلس و حتی عضو دولت میشه!
کتاب جالبی بنظرم اومد. شاید حقیقت خیلی از سیاستمدارایی باشه که صرفا با شانس و زرنگی به مقاماتی میرسن که هرگز لایقش نیستن. سبک نگارش خاصی هم داره. غلط های املایی و نگارشی عمدی که به نوعی اون حال و هوای روستایی بودن و بی سوادی شخصیتای داستانو نشون میده. بعضا غلط های دستوری ای که نشون میده شخصیت های هندی داستان، به سختی و با غلط انگلیسی صحبت میکردن.
April 10, 2023
V.S.Naipaul's first novel - its hilarious, though too slap sticky at times. The book follows the serendipitous life of Ganesh - a Trinidadian Indian Hindu writer turned masseur turned mystic turned politician, told by a young boy/man who becomes his patient at a young age. The book predicts a lot of Naipaul's later views on Hinduism (especially the Hindu way of not seeing and Hindu retreat) in A Wounded Civilization and his more depressing novels about colonial politicians having to live under the shadow of the empire in The Mimic Men.
August 25, 2017
با این که اولین رمان نایپل بود ولی خوب بود و طنز لطیفی در سراسر داستان موج می زد
December 7, 2014
I don't really know anything much about Trinidad, but I did enjoy this book and found it interesting in terms of insight into that society (or at least the book's interpretation of that society) during the 30's and 40's. The book is of course funny, as it is an effective satire of a society caught between oral and written culture, western civilization just cutting through. The protagonist rides this wave almost by force, taking the opportunity and rides it to the end. There can be an argument made that he exploits the people who seek him, as the mystic masseur, but i've written my thoughts on in this in my copy of the book, and would rather you read it and figure that out for yourself. Needless to say, it's as much to say about western capitalism as it does about human nature.
One word of warning: if you don't like it when characters or narration use a broken version of grammar, then this book is not for you. The dialect is sometimes jarring, sentences like “Ah, sahib. I know you just come to comfort a old man left to live by hisself. Soomintra say I too old-fashion. And Leela, she always by you. Why you don’t sit down, sahib? It ain’t dirty. Is just how it does look.’", and that's a very light example, but you get the point. I think the funky dialect is obviously to give it more of an oral and historical context/feel.
The ending falls flat a little, but i think that's the point and i didn't feel like it ruined the experience for me too much. The pace completely changes, but with where the protagonist, Ganesh, is towards the end of the book, its as if the narrator is doing the reader a favor. I won't throw out any spoilers in that regard, so you'll just have to read it and see for yourself what i'm talking about.
I read this book for a world literature class, and even though I had to read it within a week and a half among four other classes, I feel like someday there might come a time when i don't mind picking it up again.
One word of warning: if you don't like it when characters or narration use a broken version of grammar, then this book is not for you. The dialect is sometimes jarring, sentences like “Ah, sahib. I know you just come to comfort a old man left to live by hisself. Soomintra say I too old-fashion. And Leela, she always by you. Why you don’t sit down, sahib? It ain’t dirty. Is just how it does look.’", and that's a very light example, but you get the point. I think the funky dialect is obviously to give it more of an oral and historical context/feel.
The ending falls flat a little, but i think that's the point and i didn't feel like it ruined the experience for me too much. The pace completely changes, but with where the protagonist, Ganesh, is towards the end of the book, its as if the narrator is doing the reader a favor. I won't throw out any spoilers in that regard, so you'll just have to read it and see for yourself what i'm talking about.
I read this book for a world literature class, and even though I had to read it within a week and a half among four other classes, I feel like someday there might come a time when i don't mind picking it up again.
March 10, 2025
Cuándo en Gran Bretaña se abolió la esclavitud, los productores de Trinidad y Tobago, entonces colonia británica, los sustituyeron organizando una gran migración de población procedente de India, otra de sus colonias.
El libro recorre las aventuras y desventuras de un niño de edad escolar, cuyos padres fueron parte de esa migración a la isla de Trinidad (Trinidad y Tobago, en las Antillas) en búsqueda de mejores condiciones laborales, que puede presentar un panorama de la vida en los pueblos trinitarios de la época, sin que se destaque ningún aspecto especial, excepto un "sanador" fraudulento" y la reiteración de la mención de la moma de Suruj.
La narración está basada seguramente en la propia experiencia del autor, quien se trasladó para hacer sus estudios superiores a Inglaterra, donde vivió hasta su muerte. Siempre fue muy crítico, casi despectivo, de la vida y las políticas, tanto de Trinidad y Tobago como de India.
Obtuvo el Premio Nobel de Literatura en 2001, aunque aún no he encontrado una obra que lo eleve a ese nivel (no creo que sea por ésta, ni tampoco por la abandonada Una casa para el señor Biswas).
Entre ese tipo y yo hay algo personal.
El libro recorre las aventuras y desventuras de un niño de edad escolar, cuyos padres fueron parte de esa migración a la isla de Trinidad (Trinidad y Tobago, en las Antillas) en búsqueda de mejores condiciones laborales, que puede presentar un panorama de la vida en los pueblos trinitarios de la época, sin que se destaque ningún aspecto especial, excepto un "sanador" fraudulento" y la reiteración de la mención de la moma de Suruj.
La narración está basada seguramente en la propia experiencia del autor, quien se trasladó para hacer sus estudios superiores a Inglaterra, donde vivió hasta su muerte. Siempre fue muy crítico, casi despectivo, de la vida y las políticas, tanto de Trinidad y Tobago como de India.
Obtuvo el Premio Nobel de Literatura en 2001, aunque aún no he encontrado una obra que lo eleve a ese nivel (no creo que sea por ésta, ni tampoco por la abandonada Una casa para el señor Biswas).
Entre ese tipo y yo hay algo personal.
September 29, 2018
I enjoyed this hilarious satirical story about hapless Ganesh rise from failed school teacher and mystic masseur to pundit. He becomes the most popular person in Trinidad amongst the Indian population.
Moving to an isolated village Ganesh after a long time finally finishes his book or pamphlet. From this and the printer episode he evolves into a pundit and from then on everything he does is golden. It shows how an idiot can be successful if you try and with the advice of the Great Belcher!
Some great characters such as his wife Leela and her father who tries to cash in on Ganesh’s popularity. I loved the Great Belcher she was hilarious. I previously read The House of Mr Biswas which was a bit of a slog. The Mystic Masseur has you chuckling throughout.
Moving to an isolated village Ganesh after a long time finally finishes his book or pamphlet. From this and the printer episode he evolves into a pundit and from then on everything he does is golden. It shows how an idiot can be successful if you try and with the advice of the Great Belcher!
Some great characters such as his wife Leela and her father who tries to cash in on Ganesh’s popularity. I loved the Great Belcher she was hilarious. I previously read The House of Mr Biswas which was a bit of a slog. The Mystic Masseur has you chuckling throughout.
February 14, 2025
سه و نیم ستاره شد چهار تا
داستان بسیااار آشناست. امثال مشت مالچی عارف در اطراف ما فراوانند.
داستان باورپذیر(البته برای ایرانی جماعت) ، طنز ظریف و ترجمه عالی.
داستان بسیااار آشناست. امثال مشت مالچی عارف در اطراف ما فراوانند.
داستان باورپذیر(البته برای ایرانی جماعت) ، طنز ظریف و ترجمه عالی.
August 10, 2015
Naipaul is a genius when it comes to creating characters that have a very particular trait; being clueless. The protagonist Ganesh, is a baffled lad in Trinidad and tries his skills in quite a few stratas until life catches the right pace.
The plot is beautiful and filled with satire when it comes to the whole "Indian" thing. The sycophancy of his Father-in -law when he realizes his son-in-law made it big in life, his wife's lopsided nepotism and his close friends who seem to persuade him for writing books would bring a chuckle for sure, if one is acquainted to such behaviour in regular life.
A subtle tinge of Creolisation is noticed when the reader realizes that Trinidad and Tobago are colonial frontiers of the British, and the process of being creole is seen as a subtle progression in society.
No one can compete with V.S. Naipaul when it comes to writing books wig the colonization reference, and this book brings out the best.
The plot is beautiful and filled with satire when it comes to the whole "Indian" thing. The sycophancy of his Father-in -law when he realizes his son-in-law made it big in life, his wife's lopsided nepotism and his close friends who seem to persuade him for writing books would bring a chuckle for sure, if one is acquainted to such behaviour in regular life.
A subtle tinge of Creolisation is noticed when the reader realizes that Trinidad and Tobago are colonial frontiers of the British, and the process of being creole is seen as a subtle progression in society.
No one can compete with V.S. Naipaul when it comes to writing books wig the colonization reference, and this book brings out the best.
April 7, 2017
I liked, but didn't love, this slender satirical comedy of the rise and rise of Ganesh Rumasumair – failed school-teacher, incompetent masseur, perpetually dissatisfied family-man, and self educated pundit. Casting around for purpose and acclaim, he decides to write and publish a book (in fact a very slim pamphlet) on Hinduism. Despite the initial poor reception of his work, and through a series of unlikely events, he gains a reputation as a mystic and healer and eventually becomes an official in the colonial administration of Trinidad.
There are some genuinely funny moments, and the burgeoning commercial empire that accretes around Ganesh's career as a spiritual advisor, is a pointed dig at the cosiness of religion and capitalism. The politics and preoccupations of the Hindu-Indian community in Trinidad are robustly satirised, but I found the novel as a whole lacked a lightness of touch and little of the gorgeous sensuality of Naipaul's later writing.
There are some genuinely funny moments, and the burgeoning commercial empire that accretes around Ganesh's career as a spiritual advisor, is a pointed dig at the cosiness of religion and capitalism. The politics and preoccupations of the Hindu-Indian community in Trinidad are robustly satirised, but I found the novel as a whole lacked a lightness of touch and little of the gorgeous sensuality of Naipaul's later writing.
October 22, 2014
The story is simple and the history of indians in Trinidad is embedded in it.
A good satire which was absorbing the in the first half of the book.
However became a bit of a drag the second half and a curt dissappointing ending at the end.
Ganesh metamorph as his country Trinidad change. What he despised of in the beginning finally
caught up with him in the end as G. Ramsay Muir, ESQ
A good satire which was absorbing the in the first half of the book.
However became a bit of a drag the second half and a curt dissappointing ending at the end.
Ganesh metamorph as his country Trinidad change. What he despised of in the beginning finally
caught up with him in the end as G. Ramsay Muir, ESQ
April 15, 2022
Not the Man-Man/Miguel Street cameo. Love to see it.
Not totally funny and significantly worse than Miguel Street, but it feels like a gestational moment for Naipaul. The scathing criticism, the eye for character, the deep understanding of empire, it's all here!!!
Read only if you're a Naipaul completionist.
Not totally funny and significantly worse than Miguel Street, but it feels like a gestational moment for Naipaul. The scathing criticism, the eye for character, the deep understanding of empire, it's all here!!!
Read only if you're a Naipaul completionist.
February 5, 2017
I haven't expected a satire but then again, Naipaul is known to exhibit a healthy sense of humour. An it helps portray the Trinidadians with lots of insight, I think. Reads well in South Asia.
July 21, 2017
Seperti banyak orang Indonesia di Suriname, di Trinidad juga banyak orang India.
Dan mereka masih ketat menjaga tradisi.
Mulai dari ratapan saat ada yang meninggal, mahar dari pihak perempuan saat pernikahan, juga perlakuan suami terhadap istri. Mereka juga menjaga kepercayaan terhadap hal-hal mistis.
Melalui Ganesh, penulis menunjukkan semua itu. Sindirannya pasti mengena telak. Naipaul memang berniat menunjukkan kepada para pembaca mengenai diri mereka sendiri. Soalnya, biasanya memang sulit menyadari kelemahan dan kekuatan diri sendiri. Seperti si Ganesh ini.
Dan mereka masih ketat menjaga tradisi.
Mulai dari ratapan saat ada yang meninggal, mahar dari pihak perempuan saat pernikahan, juga perlakuan suami terhadap istri. Mereka juga menjaga kepercayaan terhadap hal-hal mistis.
Melalui Ganesh, penulis menunjukkan semua itu. Sindirannya pasti mengena telak. Naipaul memang berniat menunjukkan kepada para pembaca mengenai diri mereka sendiri. Soalnya, biasanya memang sulit menyadari kelemahan dan kekuatan diri sendiri. Seperti si Ganesh ini.
January 22, 2016
Odavno me neka knjiga nije ovako nasmijala. Radnja se odvija na Trinidadu i opisuje se život Ganesha Ramsumaira koji od običnog nastavnika postaje čudesni maser.
Saznala sam mnogo interesantnih stvari kao:
- kad imaš mnogo novca onda možeš sebi priuštiti i da misliš;
- kada na Trinidadu žena napusti muža on joj treba poslati poruku "Pseto, kako si?" ili "Mačko, kako si?" :)
Saznala sam mnogo interesantnih stvari kao:
- kad imaš mnogo novca onda možeš sebi priuštiti i da misliš;
- kada na Trinidadu žena napusti muža on joj treba poslati poruku "Pseto, kako si?" ili "Mačko, kako si?" :)
October 13, 2021
All that we love Naipaul for is here - that snark, that cutting humour, that languid, easy command of language and pitch - but there's also something more. I can't quite put my finger on it, but is it impatience of a sort? I don't know, but it's a gorgeous novel nevertheless.
April 1, 2020
کتاب با مزه ایه و زبان و طنز خیلی جذابی داره. حیف که در بخش های پایانی شدیدا افت میکنه
July 19, 2020
خیلی دوستش داشتم
هم متن
هم ترجمه
هم محتوا خوب و دلچسب بود
طنز ظریفش به دل مینشست
توصیه می کنم بخونید
هم متن
هم ترجمه
هم محتوا خوب و دلچسب بود
طنز ظریفش به دل مینشست
توصیه می کنم بخونید
January 14, 2022
Jedna od najduhovitijih knjiga koje sam pročitala. Odlična priča, odličan prevod.
December 24, 2024
Bellissimo romanzo, piuttosto complesso direi, che da una parte si presenta come romanzo di formazione ma poi indaga con acume ed ironia temi ancora attuali, come l'identità, il potere e la corruzione. L’identità soprattutto rappresenta un grosso problema perché la maggior parte dei personaggi sono induisti, e mai io avrei pensato che esistesse una tale comunità religiosa qui a Trinidad così lontano dall’India. Naipul analizza dell’Induismo i vari aspetti come le superstizioni e come essi influenzino le azioni della società. Ma a Trinidad convergono anche eredità europee, di ascendenza coloniale, e africane ovviamente. Il protagonista rappresenta perfettamente questa società con le sue contraddizioni e la sua ricerca di un'identità. È opportunista e senza scrupoli. Il suo desiderio di riscatto sociale lo spinge infatti a compiere azioni discutibili come manipolare le persone e le loro credenze popolari per arricchirsi e acquisire uno stato sociale più alto e importante. Ma è pur sempre lo specchio della società in cui vive, destinato a non trovare la felicità.
October 9, 2014
I have no clue about how Nobel Prize for Literature is given, but this book certainly gave me doubts. It’s the first book which Naipaul probably wrote in 1950s and so it does show the signs of first attempt. The characters are empty, language is difficult, materialistic set up, as if you are reading the biography of a business man. The story picks up slow but gains speed later, the saving grace being the length, any longer and it would have become boring & drab.
I have read another book of Naipaul earlier and the feeling I get every time is that I am reading a text book of school. Even though it is far from being linguistic or moralistic example and not meant for students but it seems like an assignment, a task to me and in no ways I feel an emotional connect with the author, characters or the story. The books talks about this happened and then that happened, but it does not delve into human mind, their thoughts, their connect & feelings. I know I have been suggested to read another Naipaul’s book ‘The Miguel Street’, I am not encouraged after this read but I still want to find out the reason why he got the Nobel… may be this motivation can help me go through another one..
To read and share your views, refer the link below:
http://storywala.blogspot.in/2011/06/...
I have read another book of Naipaul earlier and the feeling I get every time is that I am reading a text book of school. Even though it is far from being linguistic or moralistic example and not meant for students but it seems like an assignment, a task to me and in no ways I feel an emotional connect with the author, characters or the story. The books talks about this happened and then that happened, but it does not delve into human mind, their thoughts, their connect & feelings. I know I have been suggested to read another Naipaul’s book ‘The Miguel Street’, I am not encouraged after this read but I still want to find out the reason why he got the Nobel… may be this motivation can help me go through another one..
To read and share your views, refer the link below:
http://storywala.blogspot.in/2011/06/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2016
Wow wow wow! What a brilliant triumph of a writer to get into nerves ... I was just embroiled into the sphere wafted by Sir Naipaul.
A very simple story, told very simply, where how interest in reading elevated Ganesh and his journey from being masseur to M.B.E.
Thanks PetarX for giving me the suggestion for this book. Now my next set of books (Though I have all books written by him) from Sir Naipul that will be definitely calling me lovingly : A bend in the river, Writer's people and The Miguel street.
A very simple story, told very simply, where how interest in reading elevated Ganesh and his journey from being masseur to M.B.E.
Thanks PetarX for giving me the suggestion for this book. Now my next set of books (Though I have all books written by him) from Sir Naipul that will be definitely calling me lovingly : A bend in the river, Writer's people and The Miguel street.
July 7, 2007
The dialogue is so hilarious and the language so endearing that I kept finding myself reading it outloud or wishing someone was reading it to me. I wanted to know more about every character, couldn't wait to spy on them again and find out what they would say or do next. Did I mention I LOVED the characters? I would give ths 5 stars but for the lackluster ending.
March 17, 2015
In this book you can sense a great writer discovering his craft. About half of the book is as good as anything else he has ever written, which is pretty good and regularly funny. The other half is a fascinating set of false starts and slight misses, with an unnecessary profusion of characters. Thoroughly recommended.
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