Renowned author, Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, who grew up in the Caribbean in Trinidad and later migrated to the United Kingdom has died according to an Associated Press report. He published over 30 books including A House for Mr Biswas and won the nobel prize for literature in 2001 when he became the second West Indian writer and third overall in the Caribbean, to do so.
His family released a statement revealing that Naipaul died at his home in London. His wife said he “died surrounded by those he loved having lived a life which was full of wonderful creativity and endeavor.”
Naipaul’s writing was met with great admiration by many and staunch disapproval by those who disagreed with his often humorous, at times controversial, yet always candid style of literature that dealt heavily with post colonial themes.
Author Laila Lalami described him via twitter as a “wonderful stylist and a terrible curmudgeon”, adding: “At his best, he could write with great tenderness and good humor about people whose lives were erased by colonial narratives.”
Reading “Miguel Street” always brings back fond memories of my childhood. I am thankful that so many had the chance to partake in your amazing gift for writing. Though you’ll continue to live on through your work, RIP…
Sir V.G Naipaul. Knighted in 1190 for his illustrious body of work, was very proud of his Caribbean heritage.
His books, poems, articles are well worth reading as one learns not only about the colonizers but the colonized as well.
Thanks, Sir for your great contribution to Caribbean as well as world literatue.
The first book I read form him was “The Mystic Masseur” I fell in love with this man’s writings. RIP VS Naipaul.
“Renowned author, Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, who grew up in the Caribbean in Trinidad and later migrated to the United Kingdom has died according to an Associated Press report. ”
Let it be known he did not only grew up in Trinidad, he was a Trinidian by birth, born in Trinidad & Tobago!
All credit given to Trinidad & Tobago.
My collection of VS Naipaul’s books are falling apart at the seams, through reading and re-reading. Passages are pencil marked and memorised and much of what he wrote it relevant to the current state of affairs in Dominica. Students of English Literature would do well to study his deceptively simple prose style.
Regrettably, most West Indians are only familiar with his writings that have been set as school texts, e.g. “A House for Mr Biswas” whereas his novel “The Enigma of Arrival” ranks as 20th century literature at its finest.
In the earlier days of our Literary Festival I suggested him as a guest speaker. Had it have been possible I am sure that he’d have given us something to think about!