“The coolest literary eye and the most lucid prose we have.”–The New York Times Book Review
“Belongs in the same category of travel writing as Lawrence’s books on Italy, Greene’s on West Africa and Pritchett’s on Spain.” –New Statesman
“Naipaul travels with the artist’s eye and ear and his observations are sharply discerning.” –Evelyn Waugh
“Where earlier travelers enthused or recoiled, Mr. Naipaul explains. His tone is critical but humane, and he tempers his inevitable indignation with an admirable sense of comedy.” –The Observer
“Dazzling reportorial skills and a sharp historical mind.” –The New York Times
