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alice6's review
3.0
"Half a novel"
Well, the title should have been a spoiler. Only the first half was worth reading. Surprisingly, the amateur short stories written by the protagonist was much more gripping than his life story.
Well, the title should have been a spoiler. Only the first half was worth reading. Surprisingly, the amateur short stories written by the protagonist was much more gripping than his life story.
chrilaura's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-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
3.75
tien's review
2.0
Interesting beginning, not-so-interesting body, and just when it's picking up, the book ended. It just feels like the book was just drifting with no purpose which I suppose gels with the character of the protagonist. He lacks the courage & the vision for a "purposefull life" and just drifted along, piggy-backing on others. A lot of 'sexual' exploration which I don't particularly know how it fits in the book.
All in all, I would not recommend it as a book to read as I didn't quite find it that interesting.
All in all, I would not recommend it as a book to read as I didn't quite find it that interesting.
bookofcinz's review
1.0
If there was a point I clearly missed it...Again, very monotonous. Think I am over V.S. Naipaul now.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
4.0
This one had lived on my shelves for far too long. I'm glad I finally read it - was pleasantly surprised that I liked it so much :)
This is my first Naipaul and I wan't sure quite what to expect. What I got was a layered narrative, textured characters and fine language. This is a short book, just over 220 pages but boy does it pack a punch! I like family sagas, and although this one is a physically short read, it is no less, epic in scope.
We follow Willie Chandran, a mixed-caste boy from India who grapples with issues of identity, belonging, family, values, friendship and love amongst others, as he grows up first, in a recently Independent India and then in London and Africa. I identified strongly with Willie - with his meandering approach to life, never truly settling down to one thing or one place; a seeker, an explorer but not quite a settler. As Willie tests the waters, he is inevitably drawn toward stronger characters. In their company he becomes more confident and assertive, drawing from these same qualities in them, if only for short periods of time before his inherent, natural malaise returns.
For me, the concept of 'half a life' represents Willie's struggle to find his identity, and his place in the world. He doesn't fit neatly into any box and so floats from one place to the next, one friend to the next, one thought to the next - with no heed to permanence. Naipaul's prose is a beautiful balance between incisive and philosophical. His characters tend to think, often overthink and yet he never feels repetitive, never over writes!
Half a Life is a treasury of 'full circle' moments. Naipaul brings these to fruition with formidable skill. The parallels between characters are envisioned with insight and authenticity. He is indeed a raconteur par excellence and I enjoyed my first dip into his considerable body of work. None of the intimidating density of award winning authors here. Just a fine story, wonderfully told :)
This is my first Naipaul and I wan't sure quite what to expect. What I got was a layered narrative, textured characters and fine language. This is a short book, just over 220 pages but boy does it pack a punch! I like family sagas, and although this one is a physically short read, it is no less, epic in scope.
We follow Willie Chandran, a mixed-caste boy from India who grapples with issues of identity, belonging, family, values, friendship and love amongst others, as he grows up first, in a recently Independent India and then in London and Africa. I identified strongly with Willie - with his meandering approach to life, never truly settling down to one thing or one place; a seeker, an explorer but not quite a settler. As Willie tests the waters, he is inevitably drawn toward stronger characters. In their company he becomes more confident and assertive, drawing from these same qualities in them, if only for short periods of time before his inherent, natural malaise returns.
For me, the concept of 'half a life' represents Willie's struggle to find his identity, and his place in the world. He doesn't fit neatly into any box and so floats from one place to the next, one friend to the next, one thought to the next - with no heed to permanence. Naipaul's prose is a beautiful balance between incisive and philosophical. His characters tend to think, often overthink and yet he never feels repetitive, never over writes!
Half a Life is a treasury of 'full circle' moments. Naipaul brings these to fruition with formidable skill. The parallels between characters are envisioned with insight and authenticity. He is indeed a raconteur par excellence and I enjoyed my first dip into his considerable body of work. None of the intimidating density of award winning authors here. Just a fine story, wonderfully told :)
alice6's review against another edition
3.0
"Half a novel"
Well, the title should have been a spoiler. Only the first half was worth reading. Surprisingly, the amateur short stories written by the protagonist was much more gripping than his life story.
Well, the title should have been a spoiler. Only the first half was worth reading. Surprisingly, the amateur short stories written by the protagonist was much more gripping than his life story.
rachelhenrie's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
supposedlyfun's review against another edition
5.0
"If you are not used to governments or the law or society or even history being on your side, then you have to believe in your luck or your star will die."
eldang's review against another edition
1.0
I feel dirty for having read this book. Dirtier for having read a little about the author afterwards and come to realise that the more unpleasant things in it--the apologia for colonialism, the obsession with race and each race's place, and the strangely dismissive-and-worshipping attitude about women that implies a deep misogyny--appear to be confessional.
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