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A House for Mr. Biswas

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A House for Mr. Biswas

By: V. S. Naipaul
Narrated by: Sam Dastor
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About this listen

A House for Mr. Biswas, by Nobel and Booker Prize-winning author V. S. Naipaul, is a powerful novel about one man's struggle for identity and belonging. Born into poverty, then trapped in the shackles of charity and gratitude, Mr. Biswas longs for a house he can call his own. He loathes his wife and her wealthy family, upon whom he is dependent. Finding himself a mere accessory on their estate, his constant rebellion is motivated by the one thing that can symbolize his independence. The book is striking in its lush and sensual descriptions of Trinidad and was listed as one of Time magazine's 100 Best English-Language Novels from 1923 to 2005.

©1969 V.S. Naipaul (P)2017 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural World Literature
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Sam Dastor is brilliant. His voice conveys with skill and warmth the humour and tragedy of this panoply of characters.

Sublime tragi-comedy matched only by narrator

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amazing book. Loved every minute of it....will read again combined with the real book.
however did not like the indian accent stereotype. needed to be more trinidad accent.

amaing book truly novel prize worthy

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One part absurdist comedy, one part mundane soapy, the saga of Mr. Biswas trying to find his place in the world by building/buying/having his own house is a tedious read. Yet it is strangely enjoyable (if you’re in to self-flagellation). Maybe I’m being a bit harsh. The prose is supremely enjoyable and there is a lot to admire about the storytelling. Question is: “Is the story worth telling?’ Not sure I would recommend it but I have enjoyed the journey in some strange way. Lucky I have time for such indulgences these days.

If you enjoy tedium . . .

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.