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Bend in the River
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Bend in the River Paperback - 2011

by V. S. Naipaul

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About this book

A Bend in the River is set in an unnamed postcolonial Central African country and narrated by Salim, a shopkeeper. Naipaul explores the chaos and violence suffered after independence and how a power vacuum can quickly lead to the tyranny of dictatorship.

Perceived by some to be written in defense of European colonialism, Naipaul admitted that he in fact knew very little about the region when he started writing the book. Despite this, the novel immediately won praise from critics for its poignant brilliance and was shortlisted for the Booker prize in 1979. In 1998 the Modern Library ranked A Bend in the River as one of the 100 best English-language books of the twentieth century.

Reader reviews for Bend in the River

From the publisher

When Salim, a young Indian man, is offered a small business in Central Africa, he accepts. As he strives to establish himself, he becomes closely involved with the fluid and dangerous politics of the newly-dependent state.

First edition identification


Alfred A. Knopf published the First US Edition, First Impression in New York, 1979.


Andre Deutsch published the First UK Edition, First Printing in London, 1979.


Details

  • Title Bend in the River
  • Author V. S. Naipaul
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Latest Ed.
  • Pages 336
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Picador USA
  • Publication date 2011
  • ISBN 9780330522991 / 033052299X
  • Dimensions 7.76 x 5.12 x 0.91 in (19.71 x 13.00 x 2.31 cm)
  • Category Fiction - General
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC