Mystic Masseur

V S. Naipaul's first novel - funny, endlessly inventive and brilliantly imagined The Mystic Masseur traces the story of Ganesh who, at the beginning of the novel is a struggling masseur when, as the narrator puts it, 'masseurs were ten a penny in Trinidad'. From failed primary school teacher and masseur to author, revered mystic and MBE, his is a journey memorable for its hilarious and bewildering success. Naipaul's clarity of style, humorous touch and powerful characterisation are all in evidence in this first book. This is an ideal beginning to readers new to Naipaul's writing. The Mystic Masseur is one of four backlist titles to be published by Picador to coincide with publication of Naipaul's new novel Half a Life.