The Writer and the World

By V. S. Naipaul,

Book cover of The Writer and the World: Essays

Book description

This collection of V.S. Naipaul's essays, the first of two volumes, showcases a lifetime of intelligent and profoundly enjoyable writing. It features pieces taken from his earlier books - The Overcrowded Barracoon, The Return of Eva Peron and Finding the Centre - and also includes several previously uncollected essays.

Concentrating…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Writer and the World as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Naipaul's long-form reportage "Crocodiles of Yamoussoukro," included in this collection of essays from around the world, including Africa, taught me to root my stories simply.

When I was struggling to locate the core thread of Stringer, I stumbled upon this essay about the Ivory Coast, and more than the descriptions of the place—often dark and mystical—what moved me most was when Naipaul described his reasons for traveling to the Ivory Coast: in part because he was enamored with his French teacher, an elegant woman wearing an African headdress.

It seemed to me marvelous that a large journey could begin…

If you love The Writer and the World...

Ad

Book cover of Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism

Grand Old Unraveling By John Kenneth White,

It didn’t begin with Donald Trump. When the Republican Party lost five straight presidential elections during the 1930s and 1940s, three things happened: (1) Republicans came to believe that presidential elections are rigged; (2) Conspiracy theories arose and were believed; and (3) The presidency was elevated to cult-like status.

Long…

Want books like The Writer and the World?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Writer and the World.

Browse books like The Writer and the World

Book cover of Another Day of Life
Book cover of The Zanzibar Chest: A Story of Life, Love, and Death in Foreign Lands
Book cover of In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,593

readers submitted
so far, will you?