The Enigma of Arrival, by V.S. Naipaul

A wonderful book in the original sense of the adjective — a magical book' – Jan Morris, Independent

The Enigma of Arrival tells of a young Indian from the Caribbean arriving in post-imperial England and consciously, over many years, finding himself as a writer. It is the story of a singular journey - from one place to another, from the British colony of Trinidad to the ancient countryside of England and from one state of mind to another - and is perhaps Naipaul's most autobiographical work. Yet it is also woven through with remarkable invention to make it a rich and complex novel.

‘It has great dignity, compassion and candour. It is written with the expected beauty of style. It is philosophical and yet it smells of the earth…Instead of diminishing life, Naipaul ennobles it' – Anthony Burgess, Observer

Naipaul records without rancour or nostalgia the ravages of time on this random rural patch. Gradually a wholly familiar process takes on his alien perspective. The contemporary countryside... falls into place as part of a much grander, ancient, unceasing drift of men and things over the face of the earth’ – Hilary Spurling, Daily Telegraph