Beyond the Dragon's Mouth: Stories and Pieces
Encyclopedia
Beyond the Dragon's Mouth: Stories and Pieces is a collection of Shiva Naipaul
's journalism and stories prefaced by a short memoir, published by Hamish Hamilton
in 1984.
The first part consists of a short memoir in which Naipaul writes about his childhood in Trinidad
, the Dragon's Mouth in the title referring to the curious shape of the harbour through which he would set sail for Britain
and Oxford University.
The second part consists of his short stories, such as The Man of Mystery, set in Trinidad.
The last part showcases his engaging journalism, both at home in England
and around the globe, from cities such as Bombay (including coverage of the death of Sanjay Gandhi
), Tehran
in the last days of the Shah, and being forced to stay sober during Ramadan
in Marrakesh, as well as more rural areas such as Bihar
.
His pieces on England are more personal than anything written about England by his more famous brother, the Nobel Laureate V S Naipaul, such as his account of enduring prejudice while looking for lodging in London during the 1960s. Living in Earl's Court was reproduced as part of an anthology of Black British Writing . Also included is his piece about Ugandan Asians relocating to a hostile Britain.
Shiva Naipaul
Shiva Naipaul , born Shivadhar Srivinasa Naipaul in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, was a Trinidadian and British novelist and journalist.Shiva Naipaul was the younger brother of novelist V. S. Naipaul...
's journalism and stories prefaced by a short memoir, published by Hamish Hamilton
Hamish Hamilton
Hamish Hamilton Limited was a British book publishing house, founded in 1931 eponymously by the half-Scot half-American Jamie Hamilton . Confusingly, Jamie Hamilton was often referred to as Hamish Hamilton...
in 1984.
The first part consists of a short memoir in which Naipaul writes about his childhood in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, the Dragon's Mouth in the title referring to the curious shape of the harbour through which he would set sail for Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Oxford University.
The second part consists of his short stories, such as The Man of Mystery, set in Trinidad.
The last part showcases his engaging journalism, both at home in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and around the globe, from cities such as Bombay (including coverage of the death of Sanjay Gandhi
Sanjay Gandhi
Sanjay Gandhi was an Indian politician. The younger son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi, he was a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family...
), Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
in the last days of the Shah, and being forced to stay sober during Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
in Marrakesh, as well as more rural areas such as Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
.
His pieces on England are more personal than anything written about England by his more famous brother, the Nobel Laureate V S Naipaul, such as his account of enduring prejudice while looking for lodging in London during the 1960s. Living in Earl's Court was reproduced as part of an anthology of Black British Writing . Also included is his piece about Ugandan Asians relocating to a hostile Britain.