A Bend in the River

V. S. Naipaul, 1979 Read: 11/24/21

Because of this novel, I have added a "violence against women" counter on The List page. Out of the books I've read so far, 8 include violence against women (and this doesn't count Watership Down, because that was violence against a rabbit).

I enjoyed reading most of this novel. I say most because I really didn't enjoy him beating his girlfriend for no apparent reason, nor did I enjoy her then immediately forgiving him and continuing to fuck him. Like. Come on. This added nothing to the story, at all. In fact, the entire affair with Yvette is pointless.

Besides that section, I found it interesting and insightful. But I was really put off by him beating her, let alone fucking another man's wife. While being engaged himself. I could understand if it added to the story, but it didn't at all.

Rereadability: probably not

Time to read: 4 days

Classic: I mean. I guess? But again...the beating of his girlfriend really was just gratuitous and meaningless in the overall arching story. So. *shrug*