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Magazine
SIGHTINGS
MOVING ON
BY SUCHITRA BEHAL
Even today, writer PAUL THEROUX seems bothered by his famous break up with his equally famous former mentor, V.S. Naipaul.
In Mumbai to attend the Kala Ghoda Festival, Theroux referred to his fallout with Naipual. He said that, after their “friendship ended abruptly”, he wrote about it in his next book. “I recollect being called cruel and, to some extent, an opportunist. But the strange thing is none seemed to realise that I have a great affection for Naipaul” and goes on to liken him to an “interesting monster”.
Despite everything that happened, Theroux admits that he would never had made it as a writer were it not for Naipaul’s attention and encouragement. Calling Naipaul an “opinionated man”, he said that Sir Vidia was “interested only in his own opinion of things and no one else’s.”
Referring to their friendship, Theroux said, “Maybe it was never a friendship; it could have been one-sided.” However, he said, he had “moved on” in life and these matters were in the past.
Theroux, who is known more for his travel writing, is currently retracing his journey that gave rise to his famous book The Great Railway Bazaar. He plans to bring out a book on this new journey by next year.
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