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Foreigner
IS A STORY OF A YOUNG MAN WHO IS DETACHED, ALMOST ALIENATED.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 23, 2017
The parallels between Joshi's Foreigner and Camus's The Outsider are certainly well placed, however, Sindi (the narrator here) and Mersault differ in one important way: their acceptance of indifference.
Mersault is confident of his indifference, he doesn't quiver about the outcomes of his detachment, and in the true spirit of Camus, he confronts the meaninglessness of life head on, without being doubtful of his thoughts and actions. In that respect, Sindi is an early stage of Mersault. Sindi appears to believe in the meaninglessness of life, but is unable to detach himself from the meaning and outcomes of his actions.
This inherent contradiction between his beliefs and actions permeate throughout the novel and lead to the catastrophes that he considers himself responsible for. The contradictions are most apparent in his reflections about love. When Marie asks Mersault for marriage, he agrees, while saying that it doesn't matter either way. When June asks Sindi for marriage, he denies and goes on to explain why he doesn't believe in the institution of marriage. I use this example (which may seem like a spoiler, but is not, given the natural expectations from these characters) to illustrate the essence of why the foreignness and indifference of Sindi is incomplete, and that the novel is an exploration of his journey from a misplaced belief of being indifferent to truly being indifferent. While reading the novel, I initially thought that Joshi's narration falters in places because of these contradictions in the character of Sindi. But things fall in place eventually when one perceives that Sindi is an evolving character.
Joshi's writing is sharp as ever. His keen observation of the hypocrisy of the Indian urban elite (in this case the business elite) is characteristically clear and revealing. His continued themes of the absurdity of life and the search for an appropriate way to live find a different outlet in this novel, and it is here that I felt a bit disappointed. I think Joshi restricted himself in the exploration of what "foreignness" truly means. He shied away from exploring the myriad ways in which foreignness reveals itself, in how "at any street corner the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face." I do not intend to over-compare Joshi with Camus, but even if I hadn't read Camus, I think I would have found Foreigner lacking in developing the full meaning of what it means to feel like a foreigner.
Mersault is confident of his indifference, he doesn't quiver about the outcomes of his detachment, and in the true spirit of Camus, he confronts the meaninglessness of life head on, without being doubtful of his thoughts and actions. In that respect, Sindi is an early stage of Mersault. Sindi appears to believe in the meaninglessness of life, but is unable to detach himself from the meaning and outcomes of his actions.
This inherent contradiction between his beliefs and actions permeate throughout the novel and lead to the catastrophes that he considers himself responsible for. The contradictions are most apparent in his reflections about love. When Marie asks Mersault for marriage, he agrees, while saying that it doesn't matter either way. When June asks Sindi for marriage, he denies and goes on to explain why he doesn't believe in the institution of marriage. I use this example (which may seem like a spoiler, but is not, given the natural expectations from these characters) to illustrate the essence of why the foreignness and indifference of Sindi is incomplete, and that the novel is an exploration of his journey from a misplaced belief of being indifferent to truly being indifferent. While reading the novel, I initially thought that Joshi's narration falters in places because of these contradictions in the character of Sindi. But things fall in place eventually when one perceives that Sindi is an evolving character.
Joshi's writing is sharp as ever. His keen observation of the hypocrisy of the Indian urban elite (in this case the business elite) is characteristically clear and revealing. His continued themes of the absurdity of life and the search for an appropriate way to live find a different outlet in this novel, and it is here that I felt a bit disappointed. I think Joshi restricted himself in the exploration of what "foreignness" truly means. He shied away from exploring the myriad ways in which foreignness reveals itself, in how "at any street corner the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face." I do not intend to over-compare Joshi with Camus, but even if I hadn't read Camus, I think I would have found Foreigner lacking in developing the full meaning of what it means to feel like a foreigner.
March 3, 2021
A book that binds the pain, struggle and survival of diasporic communities specially youth. It has amazing character outlines, the crisis are natural and universal and so is the way out of them. It's a meandering way through in and throughout.
January 24, 2011
what brilliance with which this author binds the readers and unfolds the tales.
really captivating writer. all praises for this Legend and his Works.
Most intriguing of all the authors read till date, and what's more, its no nonsence silly fiction he is talking about, but addressing the grave concerns of humans trying to identify themselves,
what a brilliance Sir,
Proud to have an Indian Like you.
really captivating writer. all praises for this Legend and his Works.
Most intriguing of all the authors read till date, and what's more, its no nonsence silly fiction he is talking about, but addressing the grave concerns of humans trying to identify themselves,
what a brilliance Sir,
Proud to have an Indian Like you.
December 23, 2017
Sindi Oberoi is a soul whisperer.
October 29, 2021
"The most futile cry of man is his impossible wish to be understood."
A Quest for identity! How the unexpected death of someone close could change our lives forever! Are we prepared to deal with the pain that is inevitable in the journey of life. What does one expect from one life? Or what should one expect from life? How do we balance love, duty and detachment. Practisising detachment are driving ourselves insane?!!! Amazing book! Highlights the huge price we pay for not valuing things when it is within our reach and beautifully emphasises the volatility of time. 💓💖🍃
"My fifth Christmas on these alien shores. And yet all shores are alien when you don't belong anywhere."
A Quest for identity! How the unexpected death of someone close could change our lives forever! Are we prepared to deal with the pain that is inevitable in the journey of life. What does one expect from one life? Or what should one expect from life? How do we balance love, duty and detachment. Practisising detachment are driving ourselves insane?!!! Amazing book! Highlights the huge price we pay for not valuing things when it is within our reach and beautifully emphasises the volatility of time. 💓💖🍃
"My fifth Christmas on these alien shores. And yet all shores are alien when you don't belong anywhere."
October 19, 2014
I had too much expectation from this book after reading the author's " The Strange Case of Billy Biswas".
The book started off really good.The plot was made precisely in the beginning and in the middle but the story ends tragic and it was quite fast. I guess the book should have ended much before the real end of this book.The last some chapter of the book was totally unnecessary to me which could have been avoided and instead of that the end could have been a little slow.
I was totally disappointed by the last part of the book.Otherwise I would have liked the book.
The book started off really good.The plot was made precisely in the beginning and in the middle but the story ends tragic and it was quite fast. I guess the book should have ended much before the real end of this book.The last some chapter of the book was totally unnecessary to me which could have been avoided and instead of that the end could have been a little slow.
I was totally disappointed by the last part of the book.Otherwise I would have liked the book.
January 4, 2021
The protagonist is undoubtedly inspired by Camus' Mersault, but unlike Mersault who is stoic in his indifference to the universe, Arun Joshi's protagonist, Sindi, focuses more on the origin and dissemination of absurdity and detachment in a person. Despite a weak plot, the underlying philosophy does strike a chord mainly because of Joshi's crisp and concise writing style.
October 15, 2020
The Foreigner by Arun Joshi is a story of an Indian born and brought up in Kenya with no roots to stick to, travels the world in search of meaning. The books bring the contrast between Americans and Indians living in the USA. It also touches upon disproportionate wealth distribution in India.
The story is strangely simple and easy to read. The characters are very true to reality but fail to stick with the readers.
The story is strangely simple and easy to read. The characters are very true to reality but fail to stick with the readers.
November 30, 2020
To be honest, this book changed my perspectives of life as a whole. Poignant, inspiring, and most of all, how to say..wonderful but in a sad way..Truthfully, it is difficult to express the true feelings after reading this one.
September 13, 2023
Changed my view of life. Kind of gave me depression.
April 7, 2024
Lovely read
July 1, 2010
A novel which is intriguing and is unfolded by the great story teller - Arun Joshi. The Protagonist, is the epitome of the modern man, unable to take a stand, afraid of commitment, and who suffers a great deal because of his inability to lack of commitment. Also, American culture is expatiated. The novel is depressing at certain moments, but its end, points towards the protagonists' step towards commitment.
January 5, 2015
It is a nice novel. It's not an enchanting piece, but can set one to thinking! Speaks a lot about life, an exaggerated 'a lot'. Sindi's character was pretty realistic, the way everything was illusion to him and detachment, the only basic rule to be followed in life, is how life really is! Sad, difficult, painful but you're option less, you've to keep moving till whenever you're finally stopped! Good one time read :)
November 18, 2015
Like all books this starts out pretty good, and entertaining. The ending was so so. Fast read... its ok.
Want to read
December 13, 2014i want it to download as pdf file for reading
September 3, 2015
Order: 3rd (out of 7, 1st being the best) (B)
November 9, 2013
Camus would have admired this work!
August 29, 2017
This is one of the early novels of Arun Joshi and a fantastic one describing the concept and confusion of detachment in everyday life. The story centers around Siddi, whose life incidents torture his soul. The deeper spirituality is nicely interwoven with the story and you dont get an overdose.
However, there are few plots worth criticizing. The major one is the maturity of the young Siddi. Despite his life's learnings and experiences, Siddi is a typical young man trying to progress in life. In such situations, one is bound to have lofty philosophical thoughts, but not conviction or clarity on it. There will always be a small lack of confidence wondering whether the thought process is right. The author missed to characterize Siddi in this aspect. As a result, what we can see is a very old man walking under the skin of Siddi. Throughout the entire novel, i couldnt picture Siddi as a young attractive man, as he is.
Apart from the above, siddi has witnessed the pain in parting, pain in the death of his close friends. The trauma out of this is incomparable to the scene Siddi witnessed at Muthu's place that changed his decision to stay. Siddi has been witnessing the slum dwellers and even on the first day his thoughts about the slum dwellers opposite to his office was so ordinary and vulgar. Therefore, visit to Muthu changing Siddi's selfish opinion is little too dramatic.
But the above did not deter the quality of the book. The vocabulary and the pace was quite captivating. One tend to think about our individual stand on detachment after reading the novel. A great piece of fiction.
However, there are few plots worth criticizing. The major one is the maturity of the young Siddi. Despite his life's learnings and experiences, Siddi is a typical young man trying to progress in life. In such situations, one is bound to have lofty philosophical thoughts, but not conviction or clarity on it. There will always be a small lack of confidence wondering whether the thought process is right. The author missed to characterize Siddi in this aspect. As a result, what we can see is a very old man walking under the skin of Siddi. Throughout the entire novel, i couldnt picture Siddi as a young attractive man, as he is.
Apart from the above, siddi has witnessed the pain in parting, pain in the death of his close friends. The trauma out of this is incomparable to the scene Siddi witnessed at Muthu's place that changed his decision to stay. Siddi has been witnessing the slum dwellers and even on the first day his thoughts about the slum dwellers opposite to his office was so ordinary and vulgar. Therefore, visit to Muthu changing Siddi's selfish opinion is little too dramatic.
But the above did not deter the quality of the book. The vocabulary and the pace was quite captivating. One tend to think about our individual stand on detachment after reading the novel. A great piece of fiction.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews