In India: A Wounded Civilization, V.S. Naipaul explores India's complex identity and the impact of colonial history on its society. Through personal reflections and observations, the author examines cultural, religious, and political dimensions, highlighting ongoing struggles and transformations in the country's quest for progress and self-identity.

Informative

Contemplative

Challenging

Dark

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

2,221 ratings

66%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Review Roundup

V.S. Naipaul's India: A Wounded Civilization presents a critical examination of India's historical and cultural identity post-independence. Critics appreciate Naipaul's sharp insights and eloquent prose but note his sometimes pessimistic and condescending tone. The book offers an engaging perspective, though some feel it lacks empathy in its analysis.

Who Should Read India: A Wounded Civilization?

A reader drawn to India: A Wounded Civilization by V.S. Naipaul likely enjoys nuanced cultural analysis and post-colonial discourse. They may appreciate Edward Said's Orientalism or Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things for their exploration of identity and history. This reader values introspective, critical perspectives on societal issues.

4.0

2,221 ratings

66%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

V.S. Naipaul wrote India: A Wounded Civilization as part of his trilogy about India, which reflects his complex and often critical views based on personal observations and historical analysis.

The book was first published in 1977 and draws on Naipaul's experiences during his travels to India in the early 1970s, capturing a period of significant cultural and political change.

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Naipaul's exploration of India in this book is an exploration of a civilization he perceives as deeply impacted by colonial history, yet resilient in its ongoing struggle to define its identity.

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Book Details

Pages

180

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Indian Literature

•

Travel Literature

Period

Asian Literature

Setting