A House for Mr. Biswas

Thoughtful story, WONDERFULLY narrated

This is a long, funny, sad, sometimes frustrating story about a man who dreams of something better. It's not an easy listen, but well worth the time invested in the end. As always, Sam Dastor brings the story to life with his narration. I could honestly listen to this guy read the phone book. He interprets the author's words beautifully.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Charming prose. Lovely book.

Naipaul never dissapoints in his narrative. This is a very simple story of a man who lives a fairly, short life on the fringes of poverty and amidst a patriarchal household. Many readers can be put-off by the pure absurdness of this story-line but for me as a Naipaul advocate, this is pure magic.

The protagonist, Mohun Biswas, is a dreadful character who continuously bites the hand that feeds him and wishes for grander things in life. His wishes to escape the chains of the Tulsi clan and buy a house of his own are the center pieces of the story. The novel spans the years of his life: his unhappy and tragic childhood, marriage to Sharma and the expectations of the Tulsis, children, and the continuous machinations of the sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws. Getting beaten and giving a beating is expected in the Tulsi house.

I wanted so badly for Mr. Biswas to succeed and yet, at some junctures, I wanted him to fail. That is the beauty of the story and the book. Remember the first chapter and then you will understand the rest of Mr. Biswas’s life and trials. Loved this book and the narration was pretty good too.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Humble yet powerful...

This thoughtfully written story of of man's journey to find his place is a reflection of every man struggle. Beautifully constructed, eloquent and playful, it speaks to anyone, regardless of station, nationality, or era, trying to find their place in this world.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

One of the best audiobooks ever

This was my first Naipaul book, one which had come recommended, and I was not disappointed. The immersion into the world of Mr. Biswas (who was, I read, a facsimile of Naipaul's father) amounted to 21 hours of bliss for this reader. The details of his life were delivered with wry humor, wit, and a nuanced pathos that left me with compassion, amusement, awe at Naipaul's mastery, and a strong desire to travel to Trinidad. The descriptions of the landscape were rendered with such perfection, I could taste and smell the vegetation and salt spray. The characters were plentiful, full of life, and both vexing and pleasing in their insistence on being real. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I felt that the narrator was superb, and rendered the accents perfectly, and further, that he enhanced the experience of this book, by adding subtle expressive substance to the wonderful dialogue.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The changes a man goes through

This book took me to an island I didn't even know existed with a cultural background I was not expecting but had the pleasure to discover. Finding one's place on this earth after marrying, having children, and in a third world country is extremely difficult when one must choose between responsibilities and desires. Plus, the fear of being alone or wrong is shown in full light in this novel with constant hilarious complaints. I loved it

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Classic Naipaul

Another from one of the great storytellers. The sequence of events is a bit depressing, but it’s impossible to become fully involved with the characters and events.

The narrator is one of the best I’ve heard. The dialect is perfectly executed, and the timing of the dialog is good for many laughs.

Although I’ve only read it in paper, Naipaul’s “A Bend in the River” is a must read.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Tedious

While recognising the excellence of the writing, and bearing in mind the author's reputation, I still found this book tedious. None of the characters was sympathetic and I just became more exasperated as it went on. I couldn't finish it and so I returned it. Sam Dastor's narration was however, excellent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A modern day classic

One of the top 10 books I’ve ever read. Naipaul’s depth of understanding of human nature, his detailed descriptions, and believable dialogue..makes his characters real and the story alive. Well worth reading. One of the best written books I’ve ever read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Grating: Linda Richman, Fran Drescher & Sponge Bob

I expected more. While I'm certain the novel is deeper than I was able to read and listen to, I'd like to think it's difficult to fault someone (me) for being so distracted by the protagonist Mr. Biswas' narrative voice, which is undoubtedly one of the most annoying, cringe-inducing in all of literature.

Think: SNL's 'Coffee Talk' with special guests Fran Drescher and Sponge Bob Squarepants.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great book

This is a great novel read by an exceptional narrator. Vivid and precise, a complete world unfolds effortlessly.