Reflections on reading part 4: a tribute to VS Naipaul, one of my favourite writers, who died 11 August 2018
“The world is what it is. Men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.” (VS Naipaul, A Bend in the River ) “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in the human situation.” (Graham Greene, Ways of Escape ) This is sort of a ‘bonus’ post in my series of ‘Reflections on reading’, prompted by the death of a literary giant. Also in this post: to re-read books? Or is life too short? Also, as a teaser: I talk about my time as a human guinea pig. And, the beauty of reading and what you learn when you have limited choice and no expectations. And other writers whose death impacted me. And why it hasn’t had the same impact when musicians or actors or other celebrities say goodbye. Obituaries are one genre I have yet to delve into though I’ve long been a ‘fan’ of them, if th...