V. S. Naipaul

In this account of his journeys through Asia, the believers are the Muslims Naipaul met on these jouneys. He shows young people battling to regain the original purity of their faith, and offers an insight into modern Islam and the comforting simplifications of religious fanaticism.

An Islamic Journey

Among the Believers

Among the Believers is V. S. Naipaul's classic account of his journeys through Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia; 'the believers' are the Muslims he met on those journeys, young men and women battling to regain the original purity of their faith in the hope of restoring order to a chaotic world. It is a uniquely valuable insight into modern Islam, and the comforting simplifications of religious fanaticism. 'The edgy exactitude of Naipaul's writing is both effortlessly classical and yet at the same time brilliantly contemporary, as sharp and lucid as a spear of glass . . . He is inimitable, truly great and truly deserving of the Nobel' Observer

Melody Izard

I guess I'm just not ready to go on an Islamist journey. I let Naipaul take me into these converted lands and I met the folks Naipaul wanted me to meet. But I just don't really get any religion if you want to know the truth and one that treats women with such disdain and contempt is even more confusing so I just didn't join in with the lively conversation when these believers were paraded before me. In fact often times I was in the corner looking at my split ends and when I'd look up the room would be empty and by god (oh, so sorry) the author would be on to the next guest. I was ever so thrilled to complete the last page and move on. Not sure why I didn't shut down at page 100 like I promised myself I would. That's not true; I do know. I wanted to broaden and learn and understand. But it didn't happen. But I did find some stinking split ends.

Among the Believers An Islamic Journey

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