A rare vintage, 9 Feb 2001

One of three works of fiction by J. G. Farrell which were together dubbed "The Empire Trilogy" for their colonial settings, The Siege of Krishnapur is masterful, though - I would argue - no more accomplished than the other two ("The Singapore Grip" and "Troubles") despite having won the Booker. Indeed, the fact it won the Booker is, if anything, misleading as to its merits, as the book does not conform with the norms for Booker winners: as one of the other reviewers observed, and if I may paraphrase him, Booker winning books are perceived by many to be overly dense, highly intellectual, and not particularly entertaining. In 'Krishnapur' Farrell's intellect remains firmly in the background, modestly concealed behind a captivating and charming ensemble of characters in an exotic and detailed setting. The result is always entertaining and never onerous.

It is a wise book too, rich with observations about human nature which the reader instinctively recognises and knows to be valid, though it remains positive to the end, and does not arrive at the gloomy conclusions which might have been provided by the setting of a starving garrison under siege. Instead, in 'Krishnapur' Farrell takes the opportunity to explore the different forms which courage, dignity, sacrifice and humour can take.

Another theme of this and his other books is an evident and profound affection for women. Never salacious or patronising, his characterisations of females are multifaceted, diverse, alluring and edifying. His biographer says he knew many women - certainly the richness of his observations upon the fairer sex evinces a life of long and careful observation. 'Krishnapur' was written in a more innocent age, before feminism in its more militant forms brought relations between the sexes to their present pitch of automatic suspiciousness, and it is unafraid to admire femininity and make a proper show of its unique charm.

Farrell was a master of 'never tell when you can show' and in consequence his writing is highly visual and evocative. Put simply, 'Krishnapur' is a superb account of how a group of people behave under appalling pressure, conveyed not in an intellectually self-conscious way, but by shrewd and telling demonstration.

Farrell was just emerging as a very important writer when he was drowned in 1979 while fishing off the coast of Ireland (some 29 Fastnet Race participants would also perish 24 hours later in the storm which killed Farrell). For those who have 'discovered' Farrell his death is an awful, awful pity. His published works - their small number particularly - stand as a sad reminder that a great talent was here struck down very prematurely. It is especially poignant that the book he was working on at the time of his death ("The Hill Station") was published incomplete. What could be more emblematic of a writing career abruptly interrupted?

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Brilliant - witty, entertaining, serious and a good story, 7 Nov 2000

Well I have been educated by this book, because on this occasion at least, none of those preconceptions was justified. J.G. Farrrell tells a great story which builds to a tense finale, whilst development of the characters is second to none and brilliantly managed. At the same time, Farrell gives us a sometimes serious, and sometimes viscously witty, insight into Victorian Colonial values and life. This is an incredibly entertaining, funny, frightening and enjoyable piece of literature that I would recommend to anyone. Rarely have I enjoyed a book so much.

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