V S Naipaul
British writer, Nobel Prize laureate

Born
1932
93 years ago
Died
August 11th, 2018
6 years ago — 86 years old
Category
Thinkers & Philosophers
Country
United Kingdom
Links & References
Born in Trinidad, V S Naipaul was a British writer celebrated for his novels that explored themes of colonialism and the post-colonial experience. His literary career began with the publication of 'The Mystic Masseur' in 1957, which garnered attention for its insight into Caribbean life. Over the years, he published numerous novels, essays, and non-fiction works, including 'A House for Mr Biswas,' which is considered a classic of post-colonial literature. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001 for his work that confronted historical and cultural themes with a distinctive narrative style. His literature often reflected his own experiences as an Indian diasporic writer, weaving intricate stories that depicted the struggles of identity and belonging.
Published 'A House for Mr Biswas'
Received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001
Authored 'Among the Believers' and 'A Bend in the River'
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