Plot Summary

Miguel Street

V.S. Naipaul
Guide cover placeholder

Miguel Street

Fiction | Short Story Collection | YA | Published in 1959

Book Brief

V.S. Naipaul

Miguel Street

Fiction | Short Story Collection | YA | Published in 1959
Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Short Story Collection • Fiction

Publication Year

1959

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul is a collection of interconnected short stories narrated by an unnamed character who recounts his childhood in war-torn Trinidad and Tobago. Each story focuses on a different protagonist whose ambitions and failings reflect broader themes of broken dreams and harsh realities, with the narrator's observations linking the chapters together. The book contains depictions of domestic violence and sexist attitudes.

Humorous

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

5,412 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul masterfully portrays the colorful life of a Trinidadian urban neighborhood, blending humor, melancholy, and detailed character sketches. While praised for vibrant storytelling and authentic cultural capture, some critics suggest the episodic structure lacks cohesion. Overall, a compelling, evocative read that offers rich, slice-of-life vignettes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Miguel Street?

Readers who enjoy Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul are typically those who appreciate rich, character-driven narratives set in vibrant locales. Fans of works like Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea or Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude might find similar enjoyment in Naipaul's keen observations and storytelling.

4.3

5,412 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Short Story Collection • Fiction

Publication Year

1959

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!