has anyone read Paul Scott's "Raj Quartet"?

MGP

I am just in the middle of reading A division of the spoils, the last instalment in Paul Scott's Raj Quartet. I ADORED the Raj Quartet and it will be really tough when I reach the last page. I have read quite a lot about India/by Indian authors, both fiction and non fiction, and could chat about it for hours… but the Raj Quartet has been an altogether different experience. It is a monumental work, very complex from both a language, structural and narrative perspective, and I know that many critics (including Salman Rushdie) have criticised it for perpetrating a colonial mentality. However, the characters are amazingly well described, so vivid, their predicaments so real and painful (even if you read their stories on a purely metaphorical level); although a lot of the central events are fictional, the historical and social settings are really well researched and the tortured love of India jumps at you from every page. I am literally losing sleep over the fate of Hari Kumar, and the book is full of wonderful women characters (Daphne Manners, Lady Manners, Mabel Layton, Sarah Layton, Barbie Batchelor…), who in fact acquit themselves a lot better than the men in most occasions.

This stuff was written in the 70s and relates to the last 5-6 years of the Raj in the 40s, and moreover it is told from a total British perspective, so I think it is understandable if some of the positions sound old-fashioned. Compared to EM Forster's A Passage to India, I think it is undeniably a lot more layered and complex, and ultimately much more challenging and rewarding, read.

I would really love to hear what other people thought of this work…

irsel

Yes, I read these books. And I enjoyed reading them very much. Some years ago they were published in German and I was waiting for the next one everytime after reading the last page.
The one I liked most was the last one "Staying on" which complets the whole story perfectly.

In your post I read about Forster's passage to India. Can you give me an idea about this book. Do you think it is worth to be readen by one you likes the books from Scott?

skell

I've read all the books and they're all terrific. If you don't already know, there was an excellent mini series of Scott's books made by Masterpiece Theatre called the "Jewel in the Crown". It aired in 1984 and was, I think, about 15 hours long.

There is also an award-winning movie made from "Passage to India" in the same year.

But read the books first!

renedu

The Miniseries is fantastic, I got a copy on VHS from Ebay for £8 two years ago. However, I had already read all the books, which are wonderful. I have to say that the film adaptation is amazing.

In addition, he also wrote a follow uo called Staying On about an English couple who stay in India after independence. It is a bittersweet tale. It is also on film and very well done, although no more near the Jewel in the Crown masterpiece.

edwardseco

Read it voraciously in India..

Kapumana

Yes read it and re-read it and adored every page. Also Staying On. Am interested in the film of Staying On. I saw what I thought was a made for tv version many years ago starring Tevor Howard and Celia Johnson - which, I believe ws the first time they'd worked togather since Brief Encounter - it was wonderful but haven't heard of it since. Is this the film does anyone know or was it one of the many tapes that the BBC wiped?

bijapuri

loved the miniseries

You won't find much of the RaJ left in Ma India anymore- It really seems to have been a blip on the radar. I get the impression that that era is now much more in the English mind than the Indian, but what do i know- I'm an Amriki bhaisahib

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MGP

I think the series is coming out on dvd in April, and I will definitely get it!

I both read the book and saw the movie of "Passage to India", and liked the book more than the movie. though ultimately i found ita bit "empty, although beautifully written.

Staying on is a fantastic novel which moved me soooo much, i read it before the raj quartet but i think i am going to read it again...

renedu

I tend to disagree about the Raj being gone, thats like saying that the Mughal infoence is gone. When the British packed up in the late 40's that did not end the Raj. It is part of Indian society and touches on many aspects of life. In visiting friends in Delhi and Mumbai it was interesting to see so many customs and usages that only exist now outside of the UK. This is not implying in any way that the Raj was a good thing, however it is a reality that is part of modern India.