In Waiting for the Mahatma, a young drifter meets the most beautiful girl he has ever seen - an adherent of Mahatma Gandhi - and commits himself to Gandhi's Quit India campaign, a decision that will test the integrity of his ideals against the strength of his passions.
The title character in The English Teacher, Narayan's most autobiographical novel, searches for meaning when the death of his young wife deprives him of his greatest source of happiness.
This is the story of Nataraj, who earns his living as a printer in the little world of Malgudi, an imaginary town in South India. Nataraj and his close friends, a poet and a journalist, find their congenial days disturbed when Vasu, a powerful taxidermist, moves in with his stuffed hyenas and pythons, and brings his dancing-women up the printer's private stairs. When Vasu, in search of larger game, threatens the life of a temple elephant that Nataraj has befriended, complications ensue that are both laughable and tragic.
Set against the backdrop of colonial India, this collection features four novels that vividly portray the social and cultural changes of the era. R. K. Narayan's storytelling is marked by warmth and vibrancy, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of his characters. His mastery of literary realism allows readers to experience the complexities of Indian life during British rule, making these works a significant contribution to the understanding of this transformative period in history.
Here are three of R. K. Narayan's most famous and best loved novels: Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts and The English Teacher. All set in the imaginary Indian town of Malgudi, these irresistible works provide the perfect introduction to a universal world of humour, sadness, wisdom and joy.
Introducing this collection of stories, R. K. Narayan describes how in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." Powerful, magical portraits of all kinds of people, and comprising stories written over almost forty years, Malgudi Days presents Narayan's imaginary city in full color.
This is a slightly abridged version of Narayan's celebrated novel 'Swami and Friends', and includes two other short stories featuring Swami. It is a brilliantly evocative and delightfully funny account of the growing-up years from one of the greatest English language writers of our time.
R.K. Narayan's work brings to life the fictional town of Malgudi, filled with memorable characters such as Swami, the Talkative Man, Raju the guide, and Sampath the printer. Over a prolific seven-decade career, Narayan crafted stories that resonate with readers, ensuring these figures remain vibrant and engaging long after their initial introduction. The enduring appeal of these characters highlights Narayan's significant impact on Indian literature and popular culture.
Unforgettable Stories For Children From The Masterly Pen Of R.K. Narayan After The Stupendous Success Of Malgudi Schooldays, R.K. Narayan S Chronicle Of The Escapades Of Swami And His Friends, Comes Malgudi Adventures, Which Contains More Delightful Stories Of Children S Adventures In The Magical South Indian Small Town Of Malgudi. There Are The Memorable Stories Of Babu, Who, In Trying To Set Up The Lights For His Sisters Navaratri Display, Manages To Plunge The Entire Household Into Darkness; Of A Snake Charmer Boy Who Grows Up With A Monkey Named Rama As His Companion; And Of Raju, Who Decides To Become A Guide When A Train Station Is Built At Malgudi. Also Included Are The Fascinating Stories Of Balu, Who Dumps His Father S Accounts Ledger In The Gutter; Of A Little Boy Who Finds Himself Lost On The Streets Of Malgudi Late One Night; Of Chandran, Who Falls Head Over Heels In Love On The Banks Of The Sarayu One Evening; And Of The Hilarious Sequence Of Events That Unfolds When Raja The Tiger Decides To Seek Refuge In The Local School.
My Days is the only memoir from R.K. Narayan, one of the 20th century's most important writers in the English Language. In the wryly funny style that has made him famous, R.K. Narayan shares his life story.
