The Masque of Africa

Praise

A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
 
“Engaging…. Naipaul’s latest African journey is eyewitness reporting at its best.”
—Time

“Beautiful and humane…. The idea that underpins it is so basic that it achieves a kind of majesty.”
—Harper’s Magazine

“Neither a romantic’s nor an anthropologist’s tale. It is a collection of voices that make sense only in relation to one another…. What’s important is what’s being said…. [Naipaul’s is a] brilliant and elastic mind.”
—The New York Times Book Review
 
“With extraordinary sensitivity, Naipaul registers the beauty of [African] traditions but also captures their cruelty.”
—Bookforum
 
“One of Naipaul’s most stirring books…. [He] combines the objectivity of a disaster photographer and an understanding of history.”
—The Independent (London)

“Engaging work…. Naipaul’s prose remains smooth, subtle, often silvery.”
—Kirkus Reviews
 
“Ever fair-minded, soberly reflective and conciliatory, Naipaul offers his sage observations in the hope that by learning more, we accept greater.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“A sharply written and engrossing exploration.”
—Library Journal