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An Astrologer's Day and Other Stories
India Fiction (short stories) from R.K. Narayan's own publishing house, Indian Thought Publications; well told and humorous tales of the fictional small South Indian town of Malgudi.
243 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
R.K. Narayan
143 books1,934 followersR. K. Narayan is among the best known and most widely read Indian novelists who wrote in English.
R.K. Narayan was born in Madras, South India, in 1906, and educated there and at Maharaja's College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends and its successor, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the enchanting fictional territory of Malgudi and are only two out of the twelve novels he based there. In 1958 Narayan's work The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor.
In addition to his novels, Narayan has authored five collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malguidi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and the re-told legends Gods, Demons and Others, The Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. In 1980 he was awarded the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 1982 he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Most of Narayan's work, starting with his first novel Swami and Friends (1935), captures many Indian traits while retaining a unique identity of its own. He was sometimes compared to the American writer William Faulkner, whose novels were also grounded in a compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy of ordinary life.
Narayan who lived till age of ninety-four, died in 2001. He wrote for more than fifty years, and published until he was eighty seven. He wrote fourteen novels, five volumes of short stories, a number of travelogues and collections of non-fiction, condensed versions of Indian epics in English, and the memoir My Days.
-Wikipedia & Amazon.co.uk
R.K. Narayan was born in Madras, South India, in 1906, and educated there and at Maharaja's College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends and its successor, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the enchanting fictional territory of Malgudi and are only two out of the twelve novels he based there. In 1958 Narayan's work The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor.
In addition to his novels, Narayan has authored five collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malguidi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and the re-told legends Gods, Demons and Others, The Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. In 1980 he was awarded the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 1982 he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Most of Narayan's work, starting with his first novel Swami and Friends (1935), captures many Indian traits while retaining a unique identity of its own. He was sometimes compared to the American writer William Faulkner, whose novels were also grounded in a compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy of ordinary life.
Narayan who lived till age of ninety-four, died in 2001. He wrote for more than fifty years, and published until he was eighty seven. He wrote fourteen novels, five volumes of short stories, a number of travelogues and collections of non-fiction, condensed versions of Indian epics in English, and the memoir My Days.
-Wikipedia & Amazon.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 27, 2016
R.K. Narayan is a literary master, and there is no doubt about that. He writes about the most ordinary people, like that schoolmaster that you hated, or the sweetmeat seller that brought joy on children's faces. But what he writes, he writes beautifully. And no one, I repeat no one can do humour like him. In The Astrologer's Day, he very cleverly mocks astrologers, and portrays them as we see them; as con men who cannot predict what their wife has cooked for dinner, let alone when a stranger (to them) will get married.
I don't much remember what other stories this collection contains, but I'm sure I'll remember the stories if someone reminds me of the title. Because Narayan is unforgettable. I can still quote lines from Swami and Friends, a book I read when I was eleven or something.
I don't much remember what other stories this collection contains, but I'm sure I'll remember the stories if someone reminds me of the title. Because Narayan is unforgettable. I can still quote lines from Swami and Friends, a book I read when I was eleven or something.
August 5, 2020
The story contained this book's title is a short, but entertaining view of life in an Indian village. It also offers glimpses of astrology and what it means to the people there. My book group had a pleasant, varied discussion and some of us were surprised by the ending. Our session was enhanced by our very knowledgeable, humorous Indian member!
July 16, 2017
my favorite story was the last one "Under the Banyan tree" . I liked Nambi-the storyteller's character. Really, I think our lives are like that. we are all here to narrate stories and when. we do not have any story left, it's time to go....
January 15, 2013
A great collection of short stories. Some of them I read in my childhood, reading them again was quite refreshing and fun, brought back the memories of my childhood. No wonder, why R. K. Narayan was the favourite author for many!
January 9, 2024
Thirty short stories, none more than ten pages long. Nothing flashy about any of them, but Narayan's observations on human nature/foibles all ring true. One story per night before sleep was a great way to do read this book.
May 21, 2012
R.K. Narayan is a legend. His work inspired me to break all boundaries while letting the story flow
January 3, 2015
A short story about a man who simply couldn't believe that anything good could happen to him.
February 12, 2025
Narayan’s writing simply critiques superstitions while emphasizing human ingenuity and survival instincts. The Astrologer, maybe deceptive not malicious he is just a survivor who uses his wits to navigate life’s uncertainties. An Astrologer’s Day Showcases Narayan’s Talent for blending everyday reality with deep moral Questions.
November 24, 2024
I had really high expectations for this book, but found the short stories really underwhelming.
The author's writing style is certainly quite vivid, but at times hard to follow. And by the end of each short story, I did not feel like they left any sort of mark on me.
The author's writing style is certainly quite vivid, but at times hard to follow. And by the end of each short story, I did not feel like they left any sort of mark on me.
June 11, 2018
The plight of slum dwellers in Cities remain the same, if any it has only increase. Captured so well in this story.
Want to read
April 12, 2019💔
Mmm .. I wonder what I'll do 🤔
Mmm .. I wonder what I'll do 🤔
November 15, 2021
So cleverly written. Love how R.K Narayan seamlessly inculcates so much culture in his writing.
July 7, 2025
Beautiful stories from one of my favorite authors.
I particularly liked:
- Iswaran
- Father's Help
- Actually, all of them.
I particularly liked:
- Iswaran
- Father's Help
- Actually, all of them.
June 7, 2024
Delightful. Not extraordinary but very enjoyable. Extremely short stories that take literal minutes to read, but captures a certain essence of rural India. His voice is exquisitely Indian.
October 1, 2018
There are a lot of questions you could think about while reading this short story. Do you think Thanappa had the right to be nosy and interfere in other people's lives? This story also has parts with symbolic meaning, and the setting of the story is located in India. There a lot of interesting facts about the background hidden in the passage.
Merged review:
This plot is full of hope and white lies. The hardness of the doctor is reflected through his white lies and, while reading this short story, I once again question myself, if it is okay to white lie.
Merged review:
This plot is full of hope and white lies. The hardness of the doctor is reflected through his white lies and, while reading this short story, I once again question myself, if it is okay to white lie.
April 8, 2021
Wonderful collection of short stories and great start to the year with this book. Was also reading Ravi Belagere, ರವಿ ಬೆಳಗೆರೆ's ಪಾ.ವೆಂ.ಹೇಳಿದ ಕಥೆ (collection of short stories again) alternatively and it was bliss.
August 30, 2016
Nice story about the relationship between a boy and a snake. Both are chained together by hunger and affection. What I love about R. K. Narayan is he's one of those writers who show his characters for who they are, regardless if they are humans or animals. This snake is a real scum !.
June 6, 2014
Nice and very simple.
February 20, 2016
While it still has the essential Malgudi element, the stories are simply not engaging. Most have really random endings. So technicallly, I stopped midway.
July 6, 2015
Rating : 3 stars
Merged review:
Rating : 3 stars
Merged review:
Rating : 4 stars
Merged review:
Rating : 3 stars
Merged review:
Rating : 4 stars
February 13, 2017
Some stories bring a smile to your face! This is one such story!
Besides finding myself thoroughly enjoying RK Narayan's touch of humour, quick wit and vivid descriptions, this story made me nostalgic about my holidays at my grandmother's place. The memories of those beautiful conversations my grandparents had with the postman, the milkwallah, the help, the sweet shop owner and many others quickly filled my thoughts and somewhere within I couldn't help feeling bad that the digital advancements have deprived us and the future generations of some beautiful bonds like these!
Merged review:
RK Narayan takes a pick on astrologers this time. And he does it in his style - a narration filled with humour, quick wit and vivid descriptions!
Some excerpts that I enjoyed-
"even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting."
"All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labor as any other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at the end of a day."
""You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior.” This endeared him to their hearts immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a forbidding exterior."
Besides finding myself thoroughly enjoying RK Narayan's touch of humour, quick wit and vivid descriptions, this story made me nostalgic about my holidays at my grandmother's place. The memories of those beautiful conversations my grandparents had with the postman, the milkwallah, the help, the sweet shop owner and many others quickly filled my thoughts and somewhere within I couldn't help feeling bad that the digital advancements have deprived us and the future generations of some beautiful bonds like these!
Merged review:
RK Narayan takes a pick on astrologers this time. And he does it in his style - a narration filled with humour, quick wit and vivid descriptions!
Some excerpts that I enjoyed-
"even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting."
"All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labor as any other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at the end of a day."
""You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior.” This endeared him to their hearts immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a forbidding exterior."
April 30, 2017
Reading how a bluff master came across someone from the past and used his *astrological skill* to get rid of him forever is very amusing.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews