---
product_id: 12456822
title: "Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey Paperback – July 12, 1982"
brand: "v. s. naipaul"
price: "5307 kr"
currency: ISK
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.is/products/12456822-among-the-believers-an-islamic-journey-paperback-july-12-1982
store_origin: IS
region: Iceland
---

# Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey Paperback – July 12, 1982

**Brand:** v. s. naipaul
**Price:** 5307 kr
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey Paperback – July 12, 1982 by v. s. naipaul
- **How much does it cost?** 5307 kr with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.is](https://www.desertcart.is/products/12456822-among-the-believers-an-islamic-journey-paperback-july-12-1982)

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- v. s. naipaul enthusiasts

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Calls a spade a spade!
  

*by W***F on Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2001*

Mr. Naipaul's treatment of a what has now become a very contemporary issue is definitely commendable. He asks all the questions you'd like to ask and then some. While many have called this an opinionated piece of work, after reading the book I am truly surprised about such conclusions. Mr. Naipaul takes the reader on a journey through some of the bedrock Islamic societies to winnow fact from fiction and in doing so sets forth the state of affairs with remarkable practicality, bereft of either political correctness or feigned understanding of the tortuous evolution of religion and its convenient interpretation. What a refreshing change compared to the politically correct drivel we read everyday in the papers!!The dialogs with everyday folk in Iran right after the revolution, the description of the abject conditions in Pakistan are indeed illuminating. The book has much to offer by way of insights especially into the Islamic way of life and origins of Islamic societies in Malaysia and Indonesia (e.g., the "statistical Muslim"). I only wish he had included the Middle Eastern countries in his book. It would have been quiet interesting to read what he has to say about the virulent strains of Islamic fundamentalism that has risen in those parts of the world.In sum, the book is definitely a good read. I would ask the reader to set aside any prejudiced reviews before reading this book. For the most part Mr. Naipaul adopts a descriptive style of writing and lets the reader connect the dots and draw conclusions. Of course the book is peppered with the author's own interpretations but I did not find them overbearing in any way. It still comes across as a very balanced look at some parts of the Islamic world.I would strongly recommend the reader to visit ...to view/listen/read Sir Vidia's Nobel lecture. It offers interesting insights into the writer's journey.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Dated but still relevant
  

*by A***H on Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2014*

This book provides an objective look at the regular people living in some of the Islamic cultures that are very mysterious to many Westerners. The section in Pakistan was enlightening. The author highlights a theme I have since seen reinforced in other books, which is that the concept of running a society based on Islamic principles is an idealistic vision that people will fight for without ever giving serious thought to the practical challenges of such a system.The Qu'ran forbids the charging of interest on loans: how then to institute a banking system in a society governed by Islamic law? Naipul meets with an official grappling with this very problem when he visits Pakistan, and the problem is simultaneously bemoaned by one group and kicked down the road by another, to a future where people are "True Muslims" and such problems solve themselves.Naipul meets many people who are struggling to assimilate a very complex world into the very simple one revealed in a book. Their ultimate success or failure is left open ended, but Naipul is obviously pessimistic about their chances.I enjoyed reading this book for the insights it gave into the thinking of the people powering the Islamic revolutions and counter-revolutions in the Middle East. In some cases they slot with depressing ease into the cynical stereotypes I had of "faithful ignorant" types, and in others they have a complex understanding of the forces at work in their society. The reality of their situation makes them feel powerless to help themselves while their faith lets them feel optimistic about the future.I am giving this book four stars instead of five because in some places it was boring, but these places were rare and brief.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    An Observer's Travelogue for Seekers
  

*by D***R on Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2006*

This book was part of my set of books I read while on a quest to understand Islam and Islamic peoples. The set includes Karen Armstrong's Islam, the Barron's Islam, Huston Smith's The World's Religions, The Essential Koran, and the Koran itself (translated, of course). Armed with a topical understanding of Islam, I began reading V. S. Naipal's Among the Believers. Wow. This is the book to understand some of the religious and political attitudes of people in Islamic countries. There are surprises and there are cases where Naipal establishes just what are the "balances".Naipal is a world class writer (Nobel prize winner) so the writing is excelent. However, more importantly, his observations are compelling. For example he suggestmhow "not having to earn a living" in Iran because of the huge oil revenues has skewed politics and religion. He explores how Islamic institutions in Pakistan, a country founded so it could be totally Islamic, have failed but no one will blame Islam - rather they blame the weak faith of the people or Western ideas. He also presents a spectrum of attitudes toward Islam even within these strong Islamic societies.BTW, there is another edition of this book that has many customer reviews to view also.

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*Product available on Desertcart Iceland*
*Store origin: IS*
*Last updated: 2026-03-05*