Summary of "The Enigma of Arrival"

In this autobiography Naipaul shares his life and thoughts about living in the countryside near Stonehenge. He left Trinidad when he was 18 years old and moved to England. This is the story of a person arriving to a new and unknown country and his life as a writer.

This is also a story about how things change. Ever since he was a child in Trinidad he has been aware death and how short life is; the fact that things change and that the world has already reached its peak. Naipaul describes how his beloved English village slowly changes and deteriorates. It may sound as a sad story but it is not. Naipaul writes about this subject in a very captivating way.

Another thing about this book is how Naipaul uses his excellent perception as he observes and writes about his neighbours. Although not having much contact with them, he analyses and penetrates their personalities. The neighbours are very unique characters and Naipaul describes them in a very revealing way, without holding anything back.

This book is very well worth reading because Naipaul can write passionately about very small things. You can only be amazed by the detailed descriptions of the countryside and neighbours that Naipaul shares in this great book. Don't expect much to happen though, because it doesn't. However, the language that he uses and the contemplative rhythm in this book makes it a very good read.

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Awards

Book Awards

Man Booker Prize
Nobel Prize
Pulitzer Prize