The Impressionist

The Impressionist
Author Hari Kunzru
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Historical novel
Published 2002 Plume

The Impressionist is Hari Kunzru's debut novel, first published in 2002. Kunzru received the Betty Trask Award and the Somerset Maugham Award for the book's publication.

Plot

The novel concerns Pran Nath (known throughout the book by several other names), the child of a one-time affair between an English father and an Indian mother, and his life from birth to roughly the age of twenty-two, as he travels from India to England to Africa while colonialism begins to come to a close. As the narrative evolves, Pran takes on different personalities—some given to him by others, some willingly picked up to his advantage—as he seeks a permanent identity.[1]

Characters

Reception

The book was well received by critics, with praise for its prose. Kunzru's characterization of Pran was, however, faulted, with some considering him a "hollow" character.[2]

References

  1. Agarwal, Ramlal (September 2003). "The Impressionist by Hari Kunzru Review". World Literature Today. University of Oklahoma. 77 (2): 1. doi:10.2307/40158041. JSTOR 40158041.
  2. Hamilton, Hamish (30 March 2002). "East meets West". The Observer. p. 1. Retrieved 18 September 2014.


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