This author writes like an artist, his sentences like brushstrokes on a canvas. And just like an artist he builds up the scene before you, layer upon layer, so that you find yourself surveying the panorama thus displayed before you. However this becomes tiresome when the same ‘brushstrokes’ are repeated over and over. DNF

The Enigma of Arrival is an incredibly tedious book. On the surface, it sounds like it could be interesting: it's about the development of a writer and his experiences adjusting to life in England after growing up in Trinidad. But it is sooooooo dull. The first third of the book is all about the author walking around this rural English down and looking at the landscape. That's pretty much it. He sees people on his walks, but then remains firmly focused on the landscape. The second section describes the author's experience going from Trinidad to England - somewhat more interesting. But then the third section takes us right back to that English town! This time, though, a little bit more focused on characters, which was nice. But still - quite slow and dull. Another odd note about this book: the author repeats sentences. It's odd, and I can't quite figure out why they decided to do this. Anyway, it's a dull book.

he mourned his sister for forty hours

A well written, thought provoking, unique novel that reads like a travel writing autobiography. There is little plot momentum and character development. The author describes the countryside he lived in for a number of years near Salisbury, England. He writes about some of the people that he lived near. A property changes ownership, reflecting the lifestyle change occurring in England. The author states that the motif of the book is death.

If you have not read any V.S. Naipaul then I recommend you firstly read the excellent ‘Miguel Street’, or ‘A Bend in the River’.