by Amanda T. McIntyre The work of V.S Naipaul challenges stereotypes about East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago. This had not been done, on the same scale, before his literary advent. This social group first came to Trinidad in 1845 as indentured labourers. Trinidad was in a post-emancipation/pre-independence mode and race relations still meant a […]

The event was hosted by The University of the West Indies in commemoration of V. S. Naipaul’s 75th year. I had no intention of attending but when the Nobel Laureate arrived in Trinidad and his picture was published on the front page of the newspaper, my younger cousin Marquez asked if I was going to see Sir Vidia Naipaul. I laughed and replied, “You mean, V. S. Naipaul!” He was so excited, and I was surprised because before then, I never imagined that Marquez had any interest in literature. The evening of Naipaul’s reading came and there we were, dressed up and seated. Almost as soon as the program began Marquez fell asleep, first leaning back into his seat, then finally resting his head on my lap. He woke up just in time for the book signing.