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Summary: Paul theroux never fails to amaze me
Review: This book was actually a page turner! Paul's memory, perception, and generosity towards his great friend was a special gift to those of us who love VS Naipaul's writing as well as that of Paul theroux. His writing is so perceptive that I feel as though we have a sort of relationship. I knew Naipaul before I knew Theroux, but became addicted to theroux soon after reading My Secret History. What a joy to see a mutually beneficial friendship between two such artists. We celebrate your ability to reveal so much of yourself and the world to us. Also, I know what it is to lose a great friend and yet have a feeling of liberation. It also seems as though people misunderstood your use of the word Shadow. I was shocked to read some of the negative reviews by critics. Perhaps they were trying to be clever? they seemed to be telling more about themselves than Paul Theroux or Vidia. I like thinking that someone who has brought so much insight and pleasure into my life might read this review! thank you! Melissa
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Summary: Boys Boys boys...
Review: Certainly a very good book, and well worth a read. I must say it is one of the best Theroux books I have read in quite a while, something seems to have driven him with this book, and the result is a very intriguing story. Naipaul does not come off whiter than white in this book, but then neither does Theroux. Naipul comes off worse than Theroux in this book, but with only one side of the story told, I can only conclude that they are as bad as each other. Definatly worth reading.
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Summary: different but still the same
Review: I started reading the travelbooks of Paul theroux because it gave me the feeling to be in the places were he went. I got this book by accident and it suprised me because he it did to me the same as his travel books did: The book made me feel what he felt in his friendship.
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Summary: what is friendship all about?
Review: Theroux explores this with some interesting details about someone who thinks he is above everyone else. A common attitude among writers.Naipaul is depicted perfectly. I can't imagine him being that different. The book won't detract me from reading either authors. I kind of feel sorry for Theroux. Naipaul was never really a friend. More like an annoyance that constantly needed validation from his underlings or proteges. I still like Naipaul's earlier works; he should get the Nobel prize. Eventually he will. Theroux deserves more recognition. He is a talented writer, and he achieves it with clarity.
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Summary: interesting, disconcerting and eventually offputting
Review: Although I found the book and both the subjects virtually hypnotic. I was so disappointed at the real people discernable through the text that I shall always find it difficult to read anything by either of the subjects. I would rather they both had remained unrevealed.
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Summary: Insight into a one-sided relationship
Review: A friend recommended this book to me as an insight into a writing mentorship. This well-written documentary provided a glance into a one-sided relationship; not a friendship. The author in speaking of his mentor identifies himself as "always his squire even before knighthood". This is hardly what I would term a viable mentoring relationship. What I could not understand was the why of the continued interaction -- particularly when the author continually got stiffed with the bills at restaurants! The author's awe with the writing skills of the older man from the outset was evident. Yet he also recognizes him as "neediest person I've ever known." Portions of the work reads like a self-critical autobiography and it is clear that growth is occurring. Yet even when the fatal flaws of his friend are so well known, he still seeks affirmation from him and is disappointed with the termination of the "friendship". This is an interesting presentation of a selfish misognist. I am not familiar with the works of Sir Vidia and book does not lead me to want to read any of his numerous books.
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Summary: I liked Sir Vidia's Shadow better than his travel books!
Review: Typical of so many in the modern world, I don't allow myself much time for recreational reading, so I am very particular about what I do read. I was introduced to Paul Theroux's writing when a friend gave me a copy of Riding the Iron Rooster after it was published. It led to a new interest in travel writing and since then, I have read all of Paul Theroux's nonfiction travel books. I also have read My Secret History and My Other Life. How I always find the time to read Theroux's books is a surprise to me -- I truly enjoy them. I ran across the fact that Theroux had published Sir Vidia's Shadow here on the Amazon site. It was already very late, but I found myself reading every one of the online reviews before going to bed. I didn't know V.S. Naipaul's writing, but had noticed Theroux's criticism publication of his work. All this material online was an enjoyable read, but I wasn't all that interested in Theroux's friendship with this guy. I have just finished reading Sir Vidia's Shadow and I enjoyed this book more than any of the others! I'm not going to even begin to try to explain why, but it is a wonderful book that will certainly enrich the lives of those people who take the time to read it. As far as all of the critics' comments, I'd say some of them are looking at this book from a V.S. Naipaul perspective. I fortunately am free of this burden, but I'd say Theroux was courageous being so honest about his friendship with Vidia. I for one respect him for having written it just the way he did.
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Summary: Interesting--but only if you're a fan of one of the writers.
Review: Since I'm both a fan of Paul Theroux and a wannabe novelist, this book was really interesting. Theroux, as some of the reviews have spotlighted, is as cantankerous as ever--but that's what I like about the guy. The book has long descriptions of the art of writing as well as thoroughly fascinating passages of Africa. But if you're not a fan of Theroux or Naipul and/or you're not an aspiring writer, this might be boring. Read Theroux's travel narratives instead or "The Mosquito Coast."
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Summary: Literary Judas? I think not!
Review: I am surprised by the critics overall reaction to this book. They appear to be more caught up in who it's about, rather than the words themselves. I say leave the former to the gossip columnists and the latter to men & women who enjoy literature for its intrinsic value. While I think it helps to be familiar with the writings of both men, it's not necessary. I couldn't put down the book as I sat "fly on the wall" and observed the processes of passion and craft, friendship and scholarly circles. It's like watching someone who can't see you. There is pure poetry, for instance,in the telling of how Naipal first met his current wife. I don't think the book is petty at all, but a fascinating window into a world of two men who met in relative isolation, supported each other, shared success and were friends to each other before the now well-publicized parting-of-the-ways.Does a great writer have to be a "nice guy"? I don't think so and I don't think that's the point here. It's a well-written and (I think) admiring view of a complex and difficult man and the profound effect he had on the writer's life.
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Summary: Misfits together, by fermed
Review: When properly done I love gossip about great people: their foibles as humans detract not one whit from their accomplishments as artists, or soldiers, or bullfighters, or whatever distinguishes them from mere mortals; evidence of their silliness humanizes them and makes their accomplishments, if anything, more accessible to the common people who admire them. So here is a book by (arguably) the best travel author alive, petulantly describing his conflicts with (arguably) the best living English prose writer. The result is a marvelous tale of adoration, unreasonable expectations, and of a final and total alienation of affections. If this were a fictional story it would lack verisimilitude; but this is reality and one must wonder how these babies managed to leave their playpen long enough to make such powerful literary marks on the world. The book is beautifully written and hard to put down. It shows a clear picture of a wonderfully neurotic Sir Vilia, and a less clear (but still powerful) portrait of the author's evolution as a writer. It is a great entertainment despite the low level quarrels it depicts; it is literary gossip at its very best.
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