Reviews

Half a Life by V.S. Naipaul

beachy123's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was a struggle. I have no doubt that VS Naipaul is a great writer but this book was disjointed and I felt lost its way. The first half is alright the rest though I found uninspiring and dull. I kept hoping I would be proved wrong; unfortunately that didn’t happen. Not sure I will be rushing back to read another VS Naipaul. 

stevenyenzer's review

3.0

I don't know. I loved the first half or so, but at a certain point my interest began to wane and it went downhill quickly. I guess I wasn't super interested in Willie's sex life from the get-go, and toward the end of the book it seemed to focus on that to the exclusion of almost anything else.

mtustingore's review

2.0

The writing is crisp, clear, and easy to digest but the book is disjointed. I enjoyed the first half of the book and the themes it explored (alienation, inaction discomfort), but found that the second half made little sense without adding much to the themes it sought to explore. The fact that the second chapter was largely being narrated to his sister, with whom he never previously shared any documented closeness, did not make much sense at all. I found Willie a dislikable yet intriguing character in the first half but less interesting in the second. I am not sure if I'll read the second book.

ida_s's review against another edition

4.0

Interesting read about what it means to live a genuine life and how it perhaps not possible to not be trapped by circumstance in some way

shugartreading's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

chairmanbernanke's review against another edition

2.0

It was alright but somewhat stilted in feeling

kamrynharned's review

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Can’t deny that V. s. Naipaul is a great writer, and he masterfully worked his themes throughout this book. That being said, I didn’t find any piece of this story redemptive.  That’s honestly the point (Half A Life is such an accurate name), and while I can appreciate the art, I did not enjoy the experience of reading this book, especially towards the end when it really falls of the rails.  The main character is just unlikeable. You can’t even root for him because he’s so pitiful.  He had a challenging childhood, but he was never able to get away from the idea that he only had half a life, even when the whole world of opportunity was open to him. 

sudhahariharan's review

4.0

This is a novel about the search for one's identity. Willie Chandran"s father comes from a good family with a promising future, but he gives it all up in response to the mahatma's call (or so he believes) and becomes a mendicant. He takes a vow of silence which easily passes for wisdom among the common folk. He marries a woman from a "backward" caste because he thinks that it is the utmost form of the sacrifice he can make. Willie is shocked and thwarted by this family history.

Willie escapes to England to a world that is completely unfamiliar to him. He fumbles with his life, relationships, and work. He makes an attempt to write a book that isn't very successful. With no concrete plans for his future, he meets Ana and follows her to Mozambique. There, he lives with her for 18 years leading an uneventful life. He then realizes that his life has been a waste of time, gives up everything and goes to Germany, meets with his sister, and tries ging back to live his ambitions once again. He tells himself that he will finish his novel. Willie's life has a marvelous beginning, and through a series of odd steps he loses sight of his ambitions and lives only "half his life".

I love how the novel is written. Naipaul's depiction of the everyday life of WIllie Chandran and his struggle to find purpose in his life is exceptional. This semi-autobiographical book of vulnerability and unfulfillment is beautiful and potent.

dllh's review

2.0

Not super memorable. A bit sluggish if I recall correctly. I finished it a week or so ago and haven't retained much of it.

im0gen's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5