Title: Are You Experienced? Author: William Sutcliffe
First published August 28, 1997
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780140283587 (ISBN10: 0140283587)
Rating: 3.57
Overview
William Sutcliffe’s Are You Experienced? is a hilarious tale of two young travelers in India.
Liz is on a spiritual journey to find herself while Dave is only interested in sleeping with her. Liz is embracing everything about India, even the beggars, and is well on her way to finding enlightenment.
Dave, on the other hand, hates Liz and is getting bad karma from his fellow travelers, including Jeremy who is being funded by his dad, Jonah who hasn’t worn shoes in ten years, and Fee and Caz who just finished leper-washing in Udaipur. With a candid and sarcastic voice, Sutcliffe creates a laugh-out-loud transatlantic adventure that readers of all kinds will enjoy.
About the Author
William Sutcliffe, an English novelist born in 1971, has penned down eight novels to his credit, which have been translated into twenty-six languages. His notable works include New Boy, Are You Experienced?, The Love Hexagon, Bad Influence, Whatever Makes You Happy, The Wall, Concentr8, and We See Everything, among others.
The Wall, one of his famous novels, was a finalist for the 2014 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Moreover, his book Are You Experienced?
has been reissued on the prestigious Penguin Essentials list.
Sutcliffe has also written a series of books targeting children, namely Circus of Thieves and the Raffle of Doom, Circus of Thieves on the Rampage, and Circus of Thieves and the Comeback Caper.
Currently, he resides in Edinburgh with his family, which includes his wife, three children, two cats, and a tortoise.
Editoral Review
William Sutcliffe’s debut novel, Are You Experienced?, takes readers on a wild adventure through India in the 1990s. The coming-of-age story follows three British backpackers, Dave, Tom, and Alison, as they navigate the unfamiliar terrain and culture of the subcontinent.
Sutcliffe’s writing is humorous, insightful, and at times poignant, making for an engaging read.
Set against the backdrop of India’s vibrant landscape and rich history, the novel explores themes of identity, culture clash, and the search for meaning. The characters are well-drawn and complex, each struggling with their own personal demons and desires.
Dave, the protagonist, is a relatable and endearing figure, embodying the restlessness and uncertainty of youth. Tom and Alison serve as foils to Dave’s naivete, providing a counterbalance to his idealism.
As the trio travels deeper into India, they encounter a cast of eccentric and sometimes dangerous characters, including drug dealers, holy men, and fellow backpackers. Sutcliffe’s portrayal of India is vivid and immersive, capturing both the beauty and chaos of the country.
The novel also touches on larger issues such as imperialism, globalization, and environmental degradation, giving it a depth and relevance beyond its immediate setting.
The writing in Are You Experienced? is witty and engaging, with a sharp eye for detail and a gift for dialogue.
Sutcliffe’s prose is both descriptive and economical, painting a vivid picture of the characters and setting without ever becoming overly verbose. The pacing of the novel is brisk and dynamic, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout.
That being said, the novel does have its flaws. At times, the narrative can feel disjointed or meandering, lacking a clear sense of direction.
Some of the characters and situations can also feel overly stereotypical or cliched, particularly in their portrayal of Indian culture. However, these issues are relatively minor and do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the book.
In conclusion, Are You Experienced? is a well-crafted and entertaining novel that will appeal to readers of all backgrounds.
Its themes and characters are universal, while its setting and cultural specificity make it a unique and engaging work. Fans of travel literature, coming-of-age stories, and social commentary will all find something to enjoy in this book.
I would give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
