The Mystic Masseur

The Mystic Masseur, V. S. Naipaulâs first published novel set on his native Trinidad, is the story of the rise of Ganesh. From failed primary school teacher and struggling masseur to author, revered mystic and MBE, The Mystic Masseur is a journey equally memorable for its hilarity as its bewildering success. An unforgettable cast of characters witness this meteoric ascent: Ganeshâs father-in-law, Ramlogan, whose shop gave the impression that âevery morning someone went over everything in it â" scales, Ramlogan, and all â" with a greased ragâ; his aunt, the Great Belcher, with her troubling wind; his wife Leela, and her fondness for putting a punctuation mark after every word. Soon, Ganeshâs small hut is filled with books (1,500, as his wife will attest), and his trousers and shirt disappear to be replaced by more suitable attire for a proper mystic. As âThe Woman Who Couldnât Eatâ and âLover Boyâ, the man who fell in love with his bicycle, line up to be cured, it looks like the mystic masseur is surely destined for greatness. In one of the authorâs finest comic creations we see the immense sensitivity, humour and endlessly inventive imagination that have become the hallmarks of V. S. Naipaulâs genius. Now part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the very best of modern literature.