The Mystic Masseur (novel)

First edition (André Deutsch)

The Mystic Masseur is a semi-mysticalnovel by V. S. Naipaul first published in 1957. It is set in an idealized colonial Trinidad where rural citizens hold authors of books and higher education with exceptionally high cultural esteem and aspire to commensurate cultural accomplishment in society.

Plot

The novel is about a frustrated writer of Indian descent who rises from an impoverished background to become a successful politician on the back of his dubious talent as a 'mystic' masseur - a masseur who can cure illnesses.

Film

The novel was the first by Naipaul to be filmed. The 2001 film adaptation, The Mystic Masseur, is a Merchant Ivory production.