In a Free State

infobox book |
name = In a Free State
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = V. S. Naipaul
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Short story
publication_type = Short story collection
published_in =
publisher = Andre Deutsch
release_date = 1971
english_release_date =
media_type = Print
pages =
isbn =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

In a Free State is a short story by V. S. Naipaul. It was published in 1971 as one of three short stories within a book of the same name, but is by far the longest. Surrounding them is the narrator's tale. The work is symphonic with different movements working towards an overriding theme. What that theme is, is not too clearly spelled out, but there is an important aspect relating to the price of freedom with analogies between the three situations. The writer is adept at capturing the fear of those caught up in the different situations, and maintains the reader's sense of suspense.

Plot summary

The narrator is initially on a ferry to Egypt, and concludes many years later as a tourist in Egypt again.

First tale

The first tale concerns an Indian servant from Bombay who, having no real alternative at home, accompanies his master on a diplomatic mission to Washington, DC. The two Indians suffer abominably from the poor value of Indian currency.

The servant lives in almost a cupboard and inadvertently blows several weeks salary just buying a snack. However he gets to meet a restaurant proprietor who offers him an apparent fortune as a salary, so he absconds and works for him. Once he has his affairs in reasonable order, however, he starts to live in fear that his master will find him and order him back. He also learns that he is working illegally and liable to deportation.

The only way of resolving the situation is to marry a woman who had seduced him but whom he had avoided ever since out of shame for his behaviour.

econd tale

The second story concerns a West Indian family, a set of cousins, one of whom being in a better situation manages to humiliate the other. The better family has a son who goes to Canada and is destined to do well, while the others can expect nothing.

The younger brother of the second family then sets out for England to study engineering, while his elder brother does all he can to support him. Eventually the elder brother follows him to England with the aim of helping him further. He works all hours in demeaning jobs to keep him, but eventually makes enough money to set up his own business. However he discovers that the brother, despite appearances is doing no study at all, while his business is ruined by yobs. He returns to the West Indies a disappointed man. The other family's son has also failed in Canada.

Main tale

The story is set in a fictional African state that has recently acquired independence. The King, although liked by the Colonials, is weak, and the President is poised to take power. There is mention of the Asian community being "deported".

Bobby is an official who has been attending a conference. He now heads back to the "Compound" where he lives, and he has offered a lift to Linda, another colleague's wife. We learn very early on that Bobby is homosexual. He is rebuffed by a young Zulu when he tries to pick him up at the Hotel bar. He soon discovers that Linda has plans of her own as they embark on the journey.

The relationship between the two is complex from the outset; it seems Bobby is intent on aggravating the initially calm Linda. He seems to despise all her utterings, saying "that's been said before" when she attempts an anecedote. Things go from bad to worse when they put up at a Hotel, run by an old Colonel who is verging on complete madness. There, they have dinner, and they witness a dreadful scene between the Colonel and Peter, his servant.Furthermore Bobby discovers that Linda was planning some extra marital activity with a friend along the way, and he becomes furious and hostile.

The two reach their destination, but not before Bobby is severely "roughed up" by the army, he and Linda experience first hand the awaiting terror.

The story is little more than a road trip, but the reader becomes aware, as do Bobby and Linda, of the situation and how serious it has become. Africa as an English suburb is no longer tenable.

Awards

This book won the Booker Prize Award in 1971.