Is it better to float through life or to commit oneself to upholding an ideal? This book seeks to answer the question and offers a strong argument for its conclusion.

Picked up a copy at a yard sale on June 5th, 2k10.

We're going to start reading this book today, July 13th.

............

August, 2k10 - we finished it up around mid-August.

I liked the way the story moved along. It was kinda' pointless in some parts though.

Never did get to what you might call an 'epiphany', of sorts. Unless you want to call making the decision to get a job a big turning point.

Naipaul, who has made a life and reputation based on the objectivity of his observations, turns his eye to the relationship between commitment to ideals and the reality that could follow. He doesn't judge but he asks and he warns about the dangers involved in giving oneself over to revolutionary ideas. Magic seeds really refers to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, though it's never mentioned. Jack planted the magic seeds as we all know, and it didn't bring him happiness or success though it did bring him more than his share of adventure. There you might have the irony of what Naipaul cleverly is telling us - it might be safer not to give in to your ideals but doing so might make life much duller. A very nice read which takes us from Africa to London to India and back with some lovely writing and observations.

Good second half.
Strange book. Unusual circumstances, but still just a life. The weird and the ordinary.

A grim little novel of a man not in control of his life, beautifully and poignantly written in Naipaul's controlled, lucid prose. The observations of Indian revolutionaries, London council estate life and the middle classes, and race are acute and painful, sometimes combined with a black comedy. It's a good book, but be prepared to feel sombre.

I found this quite heavy going. I think I would have benefited from reading the first book in the series to understand more of the context of the novel.

I know there's a big book out now about what a creep VS Naipaul is. Big deal. Most creeps don't do anything good. This book is interesting, Naipual always has a lot of off the cuff insights on sociopolitical type topics. Like only middle class rebels don't know what the police really are. That seems true.

A disappointing novel from a novelist whose work I much admire. Magic Seeds continues the story of Willie Chandra begun in Half a Life, but Naipaul indulges his various prejudices here instead of transcending them. Willie's passivity, illuminated in Half a Life, overwhelms this book. Readers who are new to Naipaul's work would do better to pick up A Bend in the River or A House for Mr. Biswas.

This was a really slow starter for me, but I was determined to read it. (After all, I spent $7.99 for it at Costco several years ago!) I've read Naipaul before and had the same problem. He's an excellent writer though and, ultimately, gets his message through loud and clear. Just too slow for me . . .

Too difficult. No.
3/10

Prémio Nobel da literatura, 2001

RESUMO: t
Apesar de não ser um dos melhores livros do Nobel da literatura, este livro é mais uma peça que contribui para a construção de uma obra singular. Willie, o protagonista, é um homem que, apesar de querer deixar a sua marca no mundo, não passa de um homem vulgar. Deixou a Índia ainda jovem, foi para Inglaterra e depois para África. Regressa à Europa depois da separação da mulher e a irmã convence-o a regressar à Índia para se juntar à guerrilha.
[Resumo da responsabilidade do Plano Nacional de Leitura 2027]

ISBN: t978-989-722-584-0
CDU: t821.111-31

Livro recomendado PNL2027 - Literatura - maiores 18 anos

I was unaware that this was the second book in a series, but it worked fine as a stand alone story. Willie is a memorable character and his attempts to find himself are pretty depressing as he rarely makes a good choice. However, he continually thinks about his life and what he is "meant" to do with it. From the guerillas in India to the home of an old friend in London, things are never as they first seem to Willie. A classic book by a classic writer.