In a Free State - VS Naipaul
First published 1971.
An odd book, containing three different narratives (along with separate prologue and epilogue narratives) all on the theme of feeling displaced in a different culture and environment.
The first main story is told from the perspective of Santosh, an Indian servant who moves to America, only to find himself questioning his life choices. The next story follows a West Indian man who travels to England to support his brother, only to become disillusioned and eventually murder someone.
The third main narrative - which is the longest and also the titular 'In a Free State' - follows follows two English expats - Bobby and Linda - as they road trip south through a progressively more war-torn African nation. On the way we learn a lot about each character - mostly through their conversations - and witness their interactions with each other and those around them. As with many of the Booker books I have read, there is an occasional unpleasant sordidness to some parts of the story. Not too explicit in this book (the scene abruptly cuts away whenever sex is alluded to) but still a bit grimy, as (particularly) Bobby attempts to pick up various young men he encounters.
This is a well written book, that still left me with a bit of bad taste in my mouth.
So pretty par for the Booker course unfortunately.
Completed 5 December 2023.
(Bookerworm)
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