What will you learn from this book
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Identity and Alienation: The book explores Naipaul's complex relationship with his identity as a Trinidadian of Indian descent, highlighting the themes of cultural displacement and alienation that pervade his work.
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Colonial Legacy: Naipaul's writing reflects the enduring impact of colonialism on postcolonial societies, particularly in the Caribbean and India, where he explores the legacy of British imperialism and its influence on national identity and politics.
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Literary Influences: Feder examines the literary influences that shaped Naipaul's development as a writer, including his early exposure to Western literature and his later engagement with Caribbean and Indian literary traditions.
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Exile and Belonging: Naipaul's experiences of exile, both literal and metaphorical, are central to his work, as he grapples with questions of belonging, displacement, and the search for home in a globalized world.
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Colonial vs. Postcolonial Perspective: The book explores Naipaul's ambivalent attitude towards the postcolonial condition, as he critiques the failures of newly independent nations while also acknowledging the enduring legacies of colonialism.
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Writing Process: Feder delves into Naipaul's writing process, examining his meticulous research methods, his attention to detail, and his commitment to crafting precise and evocative prose.
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Themes of Race and Identity: Naipaul's work often confronts themes of race, ethnicity, and identity, exploring the complexities of racial hierarchies and the ways in which they shape individual and collective identity.
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Critique of Postcolonial Politics: Naipaul's writing offers a searing critique of postcolonial politics and governance, exposing corruption, incompetence, and authoritarianism in newly independent nations.
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Legacy and Influence: Feder discusses Naipaul's lasting impact on world literature and his influence on subsequent generations of writers, particularly those grappling with questions of identity, migration, and globalization.
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Controversies and Criticism: Finally, the book examines the controversies and criticisms surrounding Naipaul's work, including accusations of racism, misogyny, and cultural imperialism, while also acknowledging his contributions to the literary canon.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 8187981091 |
| ISBN-13 | 9788187981091 |
| No of pages | 269 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Indialog |
| Published Date | 01 Dec 2007 |
About Author
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"Naipaul's Truth: The Making of a Writer Lillian Feder Lillian Feder is Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, Classics, and Comparative Literature, Graduate School, The City University of New York. She lives in New York City. She is the author of The Handbook of Classical Literature, Ancient Myth in Modern Poetry, and Madness in Literature. Naipaul's Truth: The Making of a Writer V. S. Naipaul once described his purpose as an author as nothing less than a ""commitment to deliver the truth."" One of the world's greatest, and most controversial, living writers, he has written extensively about the enduring economic, cultural, and psychological effects of colonialism, particularly its assaults on individual identity.
In Naipaul's Truth, Lillian Feder, noted author of several classic works of literary criticism, explores Naipaul's writings to deliver an original and beautifully written analysis of her subject. Feder describes Naipaul's methods for discovering the truth about himself and the world he explores, and she concludes that Naipaul's literature has rightfully earned a place in the upper echelons of the modern canon. Simultaneously an intellectual biography and a revealing psychological portrait of the artist, Naipaul's Truth is a masterpiece of literary biography.
""It is hard to be fair to V. S. Naipaul's books: they challenge readers in contentiousness. A neutral or disinterested reading seems pointless. Most critics of Naipaul think they must hand down a political verdict. Lillian Feder never forgets that the novels are works of art or they are nothing. She engages with Naipaul's political essays and examines their relation to the corresponding fictions. Immensely helpful work, this. I hope that readers will learn from her patience and from the quality and force of her intelligence."" Denis Donoghue, University Professor and Henry James Chair of English and American Letters, New York University. "