With accolades by the likes of Paul Theroux and an introduction by Ian Baruma, this novel comes with a well deserved pedigree. Described as Dickensian in scope, it tells the story of an outsider struggling to find a place for himself in the complex society of Trinidad. Like all of Naipaul's work, it has as its subtext issues of race, class and his own family background. Poor Mr. Biswas finally gets his house in this comic masterpiece.  (CRB20, $15.95)

V.S. Naipaul