The Mystic Masseur

 

V.S Naipaul's first novel. The novel is set in the forties and fifties of the 20th century. During then, Trinidad and most of the surrounding islands were occupied by the British. Ganesh, who had studied his school education at his home town, were being sent to a nearby city to pursue his higher studies. There he was not very comfortable with his living conditions but he managed to do well at his studies.
 
   He had some tryst with teaching profession but it was unsuccessful. When he returned to his home town for his father's funeral, he could see many unknown people at his father's deathbed. He didn't know how to react and he didn't have enough money to do the funeral. Some distant relatives had helped him  along with one of his father's friends. After that, he was idle for some months with out knowing what to do.He was just roaming around the town. The people in his place had good respect for him as he was educated and was a teacher also.
 
   His father's friend had a grocery shop and he had some plots and houses in some places also. He had a daughter at marriageable age. Ganesh started to spend more time in his shop as he had nothing to do. As his father's friend had great respect for his father and for him, he wanted him to marry his daughter. The author's description of the marriage ceremony was very funny and it clearly reflected the mindset of the people in those times. He got a house in a remote location as his dowry and some money too.
  
   After moving to the new house along with his wife, he was idle for some time. His wife were always reprimanding him for not doing anything. He wanted to try his hand in writing. He wrote a book but it didn't do well. Then he wanted to start practice as a masseur. But his well wishers advised him not to do that as he was educated and these kind of jobs were being done by quacks and illiterate people.As his house was located in a very remote place, no body came to him for some years. When some one came also, they were not impressed with him. But one day, his fortunes were going to be changed.  It came in the form of a young boy who had the illusion of seeing a dark cloud coming close to him day by day. Ganesh successfully uprooted the fear and illusion from the boy's heart. How Ganesh had done that was a very funny and witty part which was very well illustrated. The parents of the boy were so happy that they were heaping praise on Ganesh in their place and many people started flowing in to see him and get remedied from their disturbances.

   He became very popular and wrote his second book which did very well and gave him recognition. He then decided to try his hand at Politics where he was challenged by his old friend in school. What were the tricks and plans he had done to get in to the post were written with good humor. That is one of the best parts in this book.

   The mindset of the Trinidad people then in the fifties were well illustrated. The protagonist's war with his father-in-law and his methods of politics and his survival tactics were well written with wit and humor. A great book for a debutante! Worth a read!

Pride and Prejudice

     The story starts with the arrival of Bingleys to the Netherfield, a part of England. The Bennets were eager to marry off their five daughters. So, they saw a potential groom in the Bingley. Along with Bingley, Darcy, his close friend and confidante, also arrived at Netherfield. Darcy was very proud and his vanity was generally disliked by everyone. He was much abhorred by the Bennets. 

      After some meetings and dinner together, the eldest Miss Bennet, Jane was falling for Bingley and the emotion was mutual. After sometime in Netherfield, Bingleys and Darcy went back to their native suddenly without informing anyone. 

     Since Bennets didn't have any male heir, all their wealth would go to Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet's cousin, after the death of Mr. Bennet. This made Mrs. Bennet envy Mr. Collins. When Mr. collins 
arrived at Longbourn, he was given fake cordiality by Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Collins asked for Elizabeth's hand which was duly rejected by Ms.Elizabeth. After that, Mr. Collins married one of the friends of Elizabeth. 
Since Mr. Bingley had not arrived at Netherfield for more than one year, Bennets confirmed that it must be the work of Darcy who didn't approve the relationship between Mr. Bingley and Jane. This made the Bennets and especially Ms. Elizabeth detest him more. 

      When Elizabeth went to spend some time with her friend (Mr. Collin's Wife), she got introduced to the well wisher and the care taker of Mr. Collins. She was a proud lady and Miss. Elizabeth was not at all pleased with her. She also happened to be a relative of Darcy. During the period she was in Mr. Collins home, Darcy came to meet his relative. They were having dinner or lunch together frequently. During one such occasions, when Darcy and Elizabeth happened to be alone in Mr. Collin's home, Darcy asked for Elizabeth's hand. She told Darcy that she hated him because he was the reason for Bingley not marrying Jane and she also gave lots of other reasons for not approving his proposal. But when she came to know that the same Bingley had helped in finding his ran away sister and her boyfriend and when Darcy himself sent her a letter in which he gave explanation to all her wrong impressions on him, she thought how she was overpowered by prejudices for this young man and she was sorry for that.

     Overall, this is a book where all the happenings of events in day to day life were well portrayed in detail. One should not go by prejudices and one should never be so proud of oneself.

Let the PEN rest at Peace!!!

20 th March, 2014, the day, you went away from all of us is not only a great loss for the literary world but also for the whole of India . How much joy you have given us from your ever flowing pen! You have made millions of people as your slave for your writing. The joy of reading your words is immeasurable. I think you had died with your pen in the hand. You may left us and went to the oblivion but your words will speak about you for the generations to come.
India has very few prolific literary writers. Among them, you are one of the best. Personally, your book 'A train to Pakistan' has made a great impact on me.Your books like 'Delhi- A Novel' are one of the greatest works ever written about Indian history. Long live your glory!!!