Somewhat acerbic reflection; descriptive, perceptive and personal.

The other side of Franz Fanon's view of colonialism and the colonized. Naipaul views the African and Indian lumpen proletariat of Trinidad, Jamaica, British Guyana, Martinique and Surinam. While realizing the legacy of slavery and colonialism in creating the material and cultural structures of these tiny countries he views their degradation with both despair and disgust.

Naipaul writes brilliantly and corrosively.

Dated if readable account of VS Naipaul's 1960's journey to the Caribbean. Interesting if only to note how attitudes to race have changed.

Whilst undoubtedly a skilled writer Naipaul's opinion can come off dated in this travelogue. That isn't to say there isn't anything of value here as he examines the post colonial West Indies. One of the problems I found is that he his travels are essentially a PR exercise as he was invited by a politician so the lense is quite narrow although he himself comments on how much is done for show and hides the true face. This in itself is a comment on the nature of the society there at that time.
I would like to read some more of his work as he definitely is a skilled writer, this was perhaps not the best one to start with.


Be aware the book does use racist language and contain racist tones at points due to the time it was written which I found bizarre as Naipaul himself is originally from the West Indies, just goes to show how colonial ideas can enter one's mind. It was quite heavy at the beginning and I did find myself wondering if I should not continue with the book as I was not enjoying this aspect obviously.

Vicious racism is everywhere, heartwarming read

1962 was a different time and all, but -- Edward Said wrote that Naipaul was happy to be used as a witness for the Western prosecution, and, wow, yeah

A powerful and illuminating book about a region I have never visited and know little about. The focus is on race relations, which is dissected in minute detail. Having grown up in South Africa under Apartheid, the obsession with race took me back to my past, and not in a pleasant way. Beautiful writing and plenty of incisive insights

a mar-ve-lous account of a tour through trinidad, then british guyana, surinam, martinique, and jamaica. the observation and commentary on race relations and the continuous references to a colonial/imperialized past provided an insight into the atmosphere of these places that is only possible from this author. i don't generally choose non-fiction for pleasure, but i would read this book a hundred times on the beach.

Too boring and dry to finish.

1960s travelogue through Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname.
As always with Naipaul, contemptuous but compelling.

Truly remarkable. Naipaul's observations are so tight, and taut, that he hardly needs commentary. And, remarkably, one finishes at Frenchman's Cove with him, truly liking him: liking him for his analysis, his reactions, his underlying compassion.

There's a variety of social cultures in the Caribbean you can learn from reading this book, and how they were influenced by historical events. I really enjoy his social observations and sense of humor.