The In-Between World of Vikram Lall

It is a good book, tenderly written. If you are interested in something like Disgrace by J.M.Coetzee, I think this is a more tender, intimate, sensitive and moving account -- from an Asian/Diasporic perspective, too. Book arrived in great condition.

The surprise at the end about who Vikram Lall is in reality is just something. Wow. This book is such a beautiful tapestry. It pulls in personal and national history in the most unexpected way. I feel moved. Vassanji's book is such an important piece of literature about Kenya. I do wish that he had given the New Man president no name. Calling him Patrick when he was obviously Moi was just jarring. But the book has definitely got me asking myself some questions about Kenyan history

This story is from a quite different viewpoint than most stories about the journey of Kenya. The main protagonist is a Indian immigrant that were brought over as workers to the lay the rails of the infamous train that came up from Mombasa through the plains of Nairobi.It is a moralistic tale of the extent of corruption that existed in the country even after Independence. The slippery slope that had to be climbed to even exist in this country proves to be unattainable to reach the top and stay there safely.To think that this country was one where travelers went on Safari thinking they were safe, seems to be a naive viewpoint.

This novel depicts the atmosphere before and after Kenya's independence from the point of view of Indians, Kenyan Africans and British colonials. It is a chaotic time with shifting power games, thanks to the old game of "Divide and Rule",first between the occupying British settlers and the African freedom fighters, then between President Jomo Kenyatta and his opponents (such as the MauMau movement).The reader witnesses all the turmoil through the eyes of the heroes of this story, friends from childhood Vic (who is Indian) and Njoroge (who is African Kenyan).A fascinating novel about a time and place that are largely unknown to most non-Africans !

An important read for Ngugi fans (I count myself among them), as it offers an alternative vision of Kenya's rise as a nation. I found it initially a bit of a rough read, but as the narrative moves into the height of the Mau Mau uprising, the perspective offered was valuable, even if it is - as the title indicates - in-between. The narrator wisely positions himself within his own critical description of the problematic rise of the Kenyan nation.

A book rich in cultural insights and perspectives. For those of us old enough to remember the "Mau Mau Uprisings" of Hollywood movies this book allows one to view them as equals to those who fought against English colonial abuse in this and other countries, what we would now call Freedom Fighters." There is also a complex East Indian protagonist, with yet the additional perspective of those who immigrated to Africa and try to claim it as home.

I had a tough time slogging through this at the beach (and gave up after 100 dense pages). I am disappointed (mostly in myself) bc the review was SO strellar from NPR.

Beautifully written with individual characters that seem real and defined. Intriguing story that ends so lamely you feel a mistake has been made - where is the ending?

This saga of an Indian family living in Kenya, told by `one of Africa's most corrupt men', sketches the (in)direct implication of its family members in Kenya's history.The Mau Mau movement of Yomo Kenyatta is fighting against the brutal British occupants (`plucking out eyes with bayonets') in order to free Kenya of its colonial regime.The Indians in that country constitute an in-between world: `we Asians were special: we were brown, we were few and frightened and we could be threatened with deportation as aliens even if we had been in the country before some African people.'Some stay neutral, but other chose sides and are directly involved in the committed atrocities.Vikram Lall's idyllic youth comes brutally to an end with the murder of a white family.After the black victory, the freedom movement and the Mau Mau are betrayed. `That ours had become a country of ten millionaires and ten million paupers. Those who had collaborated with the colonial police were now in all the high posts and had taken the best land and opportunities. ...If you were connected, through family or communal allegiances, even penniless you were protected and favoured.'Corruption, blackmail, extortion and intimidation become rampant in order to `buy' cheaply the businesses of `strangers.Vikram Lall becomes a civil servant overseeing big business contracts ...This book is also a hymn on green Africa with the all importance of rain and a reminder of India's caste (marriage) and religious problems: `Her soul has flown away, it's only the empty body. She'll come back in a new body. I rather preferred the old body. How would I recognize the new one?'Vassanji's chronicle is an impressive achievement, but not a `feast' of a book; instead Vikram Lall's world is one of racism, fanaticism, brutal power struggle and blatant corruption.Not to be missed.

Loved this book. One of my favourite Authors and highly recommend this book.

This is a touching and absorbing book, providing insights into the history and culture of Indian folk living in colonial and post-colonial Africa. A good read.

Loved it. Being a British Asian from Kenya I've lived through this. Vassanji can clearly write better than I can.

A very good read marred by printing omissions.Two chapters missing towards the end.Very frustrating.