VS Naipaul, British Nobel-winning author, dies at 85

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA

The family of British Nobel prize-winning novelist, Sir Vidia Naipaul, confirmed his death at age 85.

His wife, Lady Naipaul, said in a statement: “He was a giant in all that he achieved and he died surrounded by those he loved having lived a life which was full of wonderful creativity and endeavour.”

She said the Caribbean author had died on Saturday at his home in London in peace.

The literary world paid tribute to Naipaul.

American author and columnist Anand Giridharadas wrote: “RIP V.S. Naipaul, from whom I learned so much”

“Eight years ago, he came over for dinner and I handed him my first book, which was about to be published. He reveled in @HenryLouisGates. And at night’s end, it felt strange and poetic to help one of the greats down the staircase,” Giridharadas added.

Born in Trinidad in 1932, Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul moved in 1950 to the U.K. to study at Oxford.

Author of such books as A Bend in the River (1979) and A House for Mr Biswas (1961), he received the Nobel prize in literature in 2001.