Four gems, with new introductions, mark acclaimed Indian writer R. K. Narayan's centennial
Introducing this collection of stories, ... read full description
Introducing this collection of stories, ... read full description
reviews
May 08, 2008
Ashima
rated it: 
I had really high expectations when I picked this up and, of course, I was initially disappointed. I eventually started to enjoy these short (4-6 page) stories because each has fully developed characters experiencing mini-dramas. All the stories take place in the same town and a few of the characters pop up in multiple stories. I ended up liking this and appreciating it for what it is - a thoughtful, sweet, well written collection of short stories. I was telling my mom about it and she said tha
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Jun 04, 2011
James
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Malgudi Days, written by R.K Narayan, chronicles the lives of people in the fictional town of Malgudi. The stories, which share the lives of everyone from entrepreneurs to beggars, all take place in and near this Indian village. Thus the heart and the soul of that village is on display and we find it is a place where most people are haunted by illiteracy and unemployment. Yet despite the ubiquity of the poor many of the stories come across with humorous good-natured episodes of their lives. A
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Jun 12, 2008
Nagesh
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In my view, this one book shows what a versatile author and story teller R K Narayan was.
Though by the time I bought this book, the Malgudi Days teleserial was completed and RKN was already etched in every youngsters mind.
However this book of short stories, left an even deeper impact on my mind.
Especially two stories I can never forget.
Eshwar & Bulldozer.
While Eshwar depicted the tragic side of the common man, Bulldozer showed the hilar More...
Though by the time I bought this book, the Malgudi Days teleserial was completed and RKN was already etched in every youngsters mind.
However this book of short stories, left an even deeper impact on my mind.
Especially two stories I can never forget.
Eshwar & Bulldozer.
While Eshwar depicted the tragic side of the common man, Bulldozer showed the hilar More...
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Jan 28, 2008
Bharathi
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I loved this collection of short stories - RK Narayan ranks there with Chekov . The stories captured the essence of India and spirit of her people. Having studied and travelled there , I felt nostalgic reading about the lives of the households and street denizens of the fictional yet not-so-fictional town of Malgudi. Narayan's prose also steers away from pain, suffering and verbosity that sometimes dominates many Indian works. He paints it as simple and resilient
Gerry picked this on More...
Gerry picked this on More...
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Nov 21, 2009
El
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You won't find Malgudi on any real map, but Narayan describes the people and the location with such skill that I often forgot that I was not being transported to an authentic Indian city.
In Narayan's introduction he explains that in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." He accomplishes this thought exceptionally well and introduces a variety of different characters, from a wayward student to an astrologer. The ma More...
In Narayan's introduction he explains that in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." He accomplishes this thought exceptionally well and introduces a variety of different characters, from a wayward student to an astrologer. The ma More...
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Jun 30, 2010
Sachin
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Well, its all about the fictional town of Malgudi, given birth by the Imagination and sheer brilliance of R.K.Narayan, who always wanted to be with his people. His main stress was on character delineation, he himself said that, "once character comes up, every thing revolves around it".
So, here too Narayan has given an insight into the psyche of the common men and women, the inhabitants of Malgudi, their idiosyncracies, their routine, their behaviour at specific instants, their in More...
So, here too Narayan has given an insight into the psyche of the common men and women, the inhabitants of Malgudi, their idiosyncracies, their routine, their behaviour at specific instants, their in More...
Oct 25, 2011
Parikhit
rated it:
A collection of short stories from the bustling town of Malgudi, 'Malgudi Days' is a conglomeration of humour, satire, simplicity and perfection. A literary sorcerer, Narayan breathes in life into his impeccable stories. Indeed preserved for posterity.
The varied collection of short stories is embellished with Narayan’s signature humour and the natural serene setting makes the stories all the more captivating. While some left me laughing out loud other doused me in gloom. 'An Astrologer’s More...
The varied collection of short stories is embellished with Narayan’s signature humour and the natural serene setting makes the stories all the more captivating. While some left me laughing out loud other doused me in gloom. 'An Astrologer’s More...
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Aug 04, 2011
Minnie
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I think this might have been the RK Narayan books that Adam read out loud to me when we spent the year in India. Even if it wasn't, RK Narayan is exactly the kind of author who is wonderful to read on your own but even better shared. His stories capture the indomitable spirit of of Indian villagers (though perhaps more universally small town dwellers everywhere), the innate goodness of the human soul and the complexity in life that keeps all of us interested.
Mar 13, 2010
E.J.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._K._Naray...
R. K. Narayan (October 10, 1906 – May 13, 2001), shortened from Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami (Tamil: ராசிபுரம் கிருஷ்ணசுவாமி அய்யர் நாராயணசுவாமி) was an Indian author whose works of fiction include a series of books about people and their interactions in an imagined town in India.
R. K. Narayan (October 10, 1906 – May 13, 2001), shortened from Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami (Tamil: ராசிபுரம் கிருஷ்ணசுவாமி அய்யர் நாராயணசுவாமி) was an Indian author whose works of fiction include a series of books about people and their interactions in an imagined town in India.
Sep 05, 2011
Jacqui
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I found this book to be pretty uneven. Narayan is often called "India's O.Henry" and certainly some of the stories had O.Henry's charm. But many needed some serious editing--they were filled with tedious details that contributed nothing to the story. I understand Narayan is one of India's most beloved writers--his fictional Malgudi has been compared to Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County--but much of his revered status eluded me in these stories.
Dec 29, 2011
Bhanu
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I thought it was an OK read. It is because I read the book much later than the TV series. I could not find anything new as most stories were remade in TV.
It is a must read for those who haven't watched Malgudi Days on TV. Malgudi Days captured the rustic India like no other TV serial. Much has to do with the way it was written. Malgudi is a world within itself. What wonderful days they were in childhood!
It is a must read for those who haven't watched Malgudi Days on TV. Malgudi Days captured the rustic India like no other TV serial. Much has to do with the way it was written. Malgudi is a world within itself. What wonderful days they were in childhood!
Jan 04, 2010
Yael
rated it:
Super short short stories, ranging from 3-10 pages per. Amazingly - I didn't hit upon one that left me dangling, or feeling incomplete, as some short stories do. Narayan's writing is ---spicy is the word that comes to mind, like eating hot chilli peppers that wake up every taste bud in your mouth and leave you grabbing for more. Couldn't put this one, I found it electrifying.
Mar 30, 2010
Josh
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The introduction was not my favorite writing by Lahiri.
The rest very occasionally reminded me of India, and not in an expected way: I was drawn in and hopelessly bored at the same time, couldn't wait to get back into it so it would finally be over.
A couple of good stories- worth reading for sure.
The rest very occasionally reminded me of India, and not in an expected way: I was drawn in and hopelessly bored at the same time, couldn't wait to get back into it so it would finally be over.
A couple of good stories- worth reading for sure.
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Nov 12, 2011
p.xv - 'Introduction' by Jhumpa Lahiri
[Some of] these stories express the revolutionary spirit that is necessary to artistic creation. Even the most traditional expressions of life are a dangerous thing, stemming from an impulse that, when allowed to flourish, knows no bounds.
[Some of] these stories express the revolutionary spirit that is necessary to artistic creation. Even the most traditional expressions of life are a dangerous thing, stemming from an impulse that, when allowed to flourish, knows no bounds.
Feb 23, 2011
Shan
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Good read for short trips.
Narayan has very good imagination! I suspect it's alot like observing a situation that can happen anytime any day and to anybody, and coming up with backstories for each scenario.
Narayan has very good imagination! I suspect it's alot like observing a situation that can happen anytime any day and to anybody, and coming up with backstories for each scenario.
Jun 18, 2010
Dhara
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This is a great children book. It resulted in the end of an identity crisis 20 years ago. Set in idyllic Indian town, it portrays a small village with unbelievable candor.
Mar 27, 2011
I have heard a lot about this book & R.K.N. I know it's been made as serial directed by the late Shankanag though I didn't see it. Hope i would pick it up some day..
Jul 21, 2010
You will laugh about things you never imagined. For in this book, there is a glimpse at the real India of one man's imagination ... and he is whimsically funny.
Mar 19, 2009
Adam
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A short-story homage to small town India, full of memorable characters, little treasures and a few real masterpieces (like "Selvi" or "The Cobbler").
Dec 12, 2011
Vikrant
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RKN has a way of telling short stories . My favourite is "Astrologers Day" . 2 pages and the story takes hits the sweet spot in my head.
Oct 08, 2011
Anand
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One of the best books I have read. The simplicity and novelty of stories of a small imaginary Indian town. A classic.
Jan 21, 2011
Venkateshwaran
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Such a nice and mind-blowing narration!!All will be feeling nostalgic abt their childhood at the end of the book!!
Apr 01, 2009
Doruk
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The earlier stories were nice: short and interesting. The later, longer stories missed the mark.
Mar 03, 2010
I simply love these stories. So lucid, simple and takes you to the heart of India.
Sep 13, 2011
Royce
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one of the best collection of short stories I have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 30, 2011
Jennifer
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The older stories are so great, but he seemed to lose his touch with the newer ones.
Apr 07, 2009
Stella
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Authentic indian countryside description. Make me think of my school days too!! Classic!!
Dec 28, 2010
Satishchandra
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Looking the life from another angle. "Unended" surprise endings.
