reviews
Aug 29, 2011
umberto
rated it: 
In fact, I enjoyed reading all of the 19 Chapters in the first Narayan novel since I'd never read him before. It's one of the novels published in the Everyman's Library series and I couldn't help admiring him as well as his writing style, narrative and sense of humour to the extent that I could visualize how the rural Indians lived in the remote country nearly similar to my rural Thailand some 55 years ago.
I'm sorry I don't have the Everyman's Library hardcover nearby, therefore, I can't w More...
I'm sorry I don't have the Everyman's Library hardcover nearby, therefore, I can't w More...
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Nov 23, 2010
Amalie
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Without a doubt, R K Narayan is one of the most famous Indian writers and a great story teller. His stories are gently humorous. Swami and Friends is one of his first published novels based on R. K. Narayan’s experiences as a village school teacher. There is absolutely nothing boring about this novel and is one of my favourite stories about children.
Swami/Swaminathan is a ten-year-old boy in a small town in southern India called ‘Malgudi’ (The fictitious southern Indian town which i More...
Swami/Swaminathan is a ten-year-old boy in a small town in southern India called ‘Malgudi’ (The fictitious southern Indian town which i More...
Jan 10, 2010
Lars
rated it:
I would never have known about Narayan had not the parent of a child with whom I worked introduced me with a Christmas present of the Everyman's Library Edition of the four 'Malgugi' novels. Another lucky reward of my job. The first of these novels, 'Swami' is the story of a ten-year-old boy in a small town in southern India, just as Gandhi's independence movement is gaining traction.
Narayan's effortless prose is deceptively free of judgment, even style--a clean and spare narrati More...
Narayan's effortless prose is deceptively free of judgment, even style--a clean and spare narrati More...
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Jun 29, 2011
Nayana
rated it: 
I expected the book to be a breezy read which would bring me back the beautiful memories of childhood as the author's works always did. So I was not prepared for the painful memories it evoked. In a simple, innocuous book about a rather carefree childhood in a picturesque village, the author has subtly inserted some painful realities of our growing up process. Swami's character is not as simple as it appears for a child or teenager reading this book. For an adult reader, the many gray shades of
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Jun 30, 2010
Sachin
rated it:
taking into consideration that this book heralds the embarkment of the career of R.K.Narayan, this book is a good book. Though it is a simple book and not much happens. But this book, besides enumerating the tales and daily routine of Swaminathan, also gives a glipse of the people of Malgudi. Not only this a peculiar thing to notice is the use of the melodramatic technique in the very first novel by Narayan. THis melodramatic element or out of the way approach is repeated again and again. Incide
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Nov 16, 2011
Ajitabh
rated it:
A very detailed description of what went into that young child Swami's life. A typical settings of a South Indian town. The author has very beautifully described the typical Indian school of those times. In fact quite a lot of schools in India still operate in a similar fashion. Caning as a punishment, making students stand on benches, striping and caning......
The freedom movement and its impact on the small town like Malgudi and the status of Indian origin people was very clearly desc More...
The freedom movement and its impact on the small town like Malgudi and the status of Indian origin people was very clearly desc More...
Oct 28, 2011
Parikhit
rated it:
If there is one author who can mould the most trivial of all situations into a literary masterpiece it has to be R. K. Narayan. A writing that mirrors simplicity yet subliminal, R. K. Narayan has never failed to impress me. The fictitious town of Malgudi that forms the backdrop for most of his oeuvre is sincere, a representation of the realism found in the realms of any actual town or city and so are the myriad characters – be it the politician, a caricature of the khaki clad, the school headmas
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Nov 06, 2011
Ansari
rated it:
Took me back to my school days and the 'DoorDarshan' Channel days on telly; when I used to watch with great devotion, the Malgudi days. Innocence is carefully packaged by this Master writer, Mr RK Narayan; hats off to you sir. Never it has been over done and left meandering. Every action has its meaning and outcome of Swami; who at the very young age; thinks that the world ( read it as Dad, Mom, Granny, School teachers) are against him. The despair happiness sorrow of a school boy has been very
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Oct 08, 2011
Dana
rated it:
I loved this book a lot!! R.K.Narayan is a pride to Indian literature. Simple and humorous!! Swami is great!!-- The fact that he got expelled from two schools in succession proves it!! I love the odd composition of Swami's friends. Mani- A guy who bangs up everyone in sight and is a constant presence in back bench, Somu- A sweet monitor with an easy mind, Sankar- A nerd, Rajam- A rich, modern boy. Their odd friendship is really interesting. Above all, the book is written in such a way that we se
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Oct 12, 2011
Priyanka
rated it:
Swami and friends got such an innocence that they will make you smile, remind you of the 'big problems' you had to face when you were a child and all those ridiculous things you did.
For example, I used to write letters exactly like this one
"I am studying here because my father came here. My mother is also
here. All of us are here. And we will be only here. I am doing well. I hope
you are doing well. It is very hot here. I had fever for three days and drank
medicin More...
For example, I used to write letters exactly like this one
"I am studying here because my father came here. My mother is also
here. All of us are here. And we will be only here. I am doing well. I hope
you are doing well. It is very hot here. I had fever for three days and drank
medicin More...
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May 03, 2011
Karthik
rated it:
For all those who grew up i the city and missed the dosage of love and affection delivered in those classy south indian villages which have produced some of the greatest people my country can boast of. i truly recommend this book.
Nov 28, 2010
Mayooresan
rated it:
Without doubt I'd give 5 starts. One of the books I've ever enjoyed reading. The story was revolving around the fictional South Indian Tamil village "Malgudi".
PS: Those who watched Malgudi days TV series will love it for sure :)
PS: Those who watched Malgudi days TV series will love it for sure :)
Aug 22, 2011
Upinder
rated it:
It is really enjoyable novel. I like its simplicity and honestly. It feels wonderful to see how world appears to a child. I love all its characters and all episodes. I really enjoy it and thus reccomend it.
Aug 19, 2011
Lavanya
rated it:
The best book I've read in my childhood.. Thinking about Swami transports me back to my childhood days. Ah! I grew up in a small town in South India. I can draw comparisons to my life..
Jun 12, 2010
Maninee
rated it:
amazing story. brilliantly written. the world of swami was so well depicted i felt like i was in the story my self. every little detail, every emotion was mentioned.
Feb 09, 2012
P
rated it:
I read this when, lets see, maybe when i was in 12th standard...I really enjoyed it.Even after rereading twice since then it's one of my favorite books.
Nov 22, 2010
Nandita
rated it:
This was the first book I read...very close to my heart...after so many years..still never get bored of reading it again n again...
Mar 08, 2011
Simran
rated it:
read it long time back..very simple writing but extremely powerful nonetheless..amazing author
Jul 05, 2010
Shayeri
rated it:
i was very happy to read this book as it was filled with mixed emotions of love anger& enjoyment
Jul 28, 2009
Micah
rated it:
The sweet naivete of a child's inner life. Crazy how well he captures a kid's imagination.
Nov 06, 2011
Mahesh
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This is the besk book i have ever read.. highly recommend for everyone.
Sep 26, 2011
Amit
rated it:
Kids growing up in an age before Satellite TV, Internet and Mobiles. Even after so many years you can still relate or maybe you know some kids exactly like Swami and his friends. Still makes me nostalgic after so many years. In my opinion better than Malgudi Days
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Jan 18, 2012
Ajay
rated it:
India's very own Tom Sawyer! Was Narayan thinking of Tom Sawyer when he was writing this? I wonder!
