A House for Mr. Biswas, V. S. Naipaul

Despite its humorous tone and simple plot of a man's search for a house of his own, A House for Mr. Biswas explores deeper themes—finding one's identity, overcoming obstacles and ridicule, and not losing sight of one's goals. Set in Trinidad in 1961, the book draws largely from the author's own childhood experiences as a Hindu Indian living in what was then the British colony of Trinidad.

Related Readings

Dead Men's Path—short story by Chinua Achebe

In the Middle of the Journey—travel essay by V.S. Naipaul

When Greek Meets Greek—short story by Samuel Selvon

from The Crescent Moon--poems by Rabindranath Tagore

Why I Live at the P.O.—short story by Eudora Welty

Study Guide (PDF)