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The mystic masseur by Naipaul

Ganesh is a Trinidadian boy  of Indian origin. His father dies when he is hardly 16 and an unknown elder Ramalogan in the community takes care of all the ceremonies needed. Later he encourages Ganesh to visit his house and shop as frequently as possible. He treats Ganesh as a learned man. All these with the motive that Ganesh marry his daughter Leela.

The plan is semi-succesful as Ganesh still takes dowry during wedding. Now Ganesh is a family man and he should work. But he is semi-literate and is reluctant to do any physical work. His job as a masseur is a failure. But he keeps himself surrounded with books to convince himself and others that he is a learned man.

Appearance do not feed or bring money. Fed up with taunts of her sister about her husband, Leela leaves Ganesh and goes to her father's house.

At last Ganesh writes his first book about Hinduism. It turns out to be a small booklet with simple questions and useless answers.

But this is just begining of Ganesh's blooming career.

The book paints a realistic picture of Indians settled in other countries , their lifestyles, their struggles. My rating is 4/5

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