In a devastating death-knell to a thirty-year old friendship with V.S. Naipaul, Paul Theroux (New Yorker, August 3, 1998), savaged Nadira Khannum Alvi, Naipaul’s wife of over two years, suggesting she may be the cause for the onset of an ice-age in the relationship between the two authors. In India too, sections of the local news media commented bemusedly at Nadira’s attempt at running Naipaul’s life, often standing in for him as his voice, his spokesperson.

The jibes lasted only till the release of his new book, Beyond Belief, which is unambiguously dedicated to Nadira. The 66-year old author of 24 books in 45 years is once again journeying in new directions. Sadanand Menon travels with him (and Nadira) some of the way... to take us beyond the book.