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Talkative man: A novel
Book by Narayan, R. K.
123 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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851 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Narayan
143 books1,935 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 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 3, 2025
One of the most interesting parts of this book was the stamps in the front:
OLD BOOK CORNER
SCHOOL ROAD F-6
SUPER MARKET
ISLAMABAD 822404
LONDON BOOK CO.
Arbab Road Peshawar
Telephone No. 2722
And the postscript in which the author has to defend the length of his 116 page book.
Not that the book itself was forgettable. It's one of those books that are best described as gentle. Like Alexander McCall Smith set in India. Narayan wrote his first Malgudi book in the 1930s, and this one, published in 1986, reads like it was sealed in a time capsule for half a century, which seems to be common among older authors with long careers behind them (looking at you Spark and Murdoch). Not that I'm complaining. I'm looking forward to getting to know Malgudi and its people better, though I suspect Narayan's books may be a little difficult to come by in California.
OLD BOOK CORNER
SCHOOL ROAD F-6
SUPER MARKET
ISLAMABAD 822404
LONDON BOOK CO.
Arbab Road Peshawar
Telephone No. 2722
And the postscript in which the author has to defend the length of his 116 page book.
Not that the book itself was forgettable. It's one of those books that are best described as gentle. Like Alexander McCall Smith set in India. Narayan wrote his first Malgudi book in the 1930s, and this one, published in 1986, reads like it was sealed in a time capsule for half a century, which seems to be common among older authors with long careers behind them (looking at you Spark and Murdoch). Not that I'm complaining. I'm looking forward to getting to know Malgudi and its people better, though I suspect Narayan's books may be a little difficult to come by in California.
October 24, 2016
Breaks my heart to give such a low rating to any RK Narayan book.
The good part was it ensembled many characters from Malgudi - Gaffur's taxi, Nataraj's printing press, Jayaraj photographer (and reference to Raman's signboards).... and may be others which I'm not familiar with so far.
But this resembled so very much with The Man-Eater of Malgudi, which had far better humor and suspense.
At 117 pages, this could have been curtailed further to rather make a short story.
Still a light and enjoyable read.
Forgive me for this blasphemy!
The good part was it ensembled many characters from Malgudi - Gaffur's taxi, Nataraj's printing press, Jayaraj photographer (and reference to Raman's signboards).... and may be others which I'm not familiar with so far.
But this resembled so very much with The Man-Eater of Malgudi, which had far better humor and suspense.
At 117 pages, this could have been curtailed further to rather make a short story.
Still a light and enjoyable read.
Forgive me for this blasphemy!
August 5, 2019
R K Narayan first introduced the character TA in this novel. Subsequently he has featured in many short stories as well. The story is narrated by TA and the plot basically deals with a research scholar who has a roving eye. The scholar in question runs away from one of his numerous wives to Malgudi, to do some writing. But his old habit caches up and we soon find him enticing the librarian's young grand daughter. Average read.
December 23, 2013
This book is definitely one of the shortest “novel” that the great RKN has written but it successfully brings out one of the most intriguing character of Malgudi. The protagonist “Talkative Man” is never referred to by his real name at all except the pet name bestowed on him which is that of a very ‘Talkative Man’. He is also called TM for short at times but never by his real name! I think RKN had a reason behind the non-usage of the name whereby he wanted this intellectual character to remain away from emotion and opinion and i guess the best way to create an impersonal character is by just not giving the character a name or any overruling emotion which he did here and I must say he has succeeded very well in achieving the objective.
Talkative Man is not a talky book—indeed, infact RKN has added a postscript apologizing for its brevity. But honestly there is nothing to apologize for. The story is not slight but economically told; every sentence serves to advance the narrative which is the best part here. RKN’s masterly way with character and atmosphere comes out yet again and the book, like many of its predecessors, is rich in garrulous lecturers, insincere politicians, pretentious scholars, gossipy neighbors and the like which makes the mystic town which in a way is the right depiction of the world too.
Humour is at its peak in this novel, although it's short lived as the novel ends quite quickly but some characters and their lines don’t leave us even after it finishes like an old librarian who keeps the crossword page of the newspaper in a drawer behind the counter and enjoins the reading-room habit: "Copy it down, don't mark on the paper”!!
Talkative Man is not a talky book—indeed, infact RKN has added a postscript apologizing for its brevity. But honestly there is nothing to apologize for. The story is not slight but economically told; every sentence serves to advance the narrative which is the best part here. RKN’s masterly way with character and atmosphere comes out yet again and the book, like many of its predecessors, is rich in garrulous lecturers, insincere politicians, pretentious scholars, gossipy neighbors and the like which makes the mystic town which in a way is the right depiction of the world too.
Humour is at its peak in this novel, although it's short lived as the novel ends quite quickly but some characters and their lines don’t leave us even after it finishes like an old librarian who keeps the crossword page of the newspaper in a drawer behind the counter and enjoins the reading-room habit: "Copy it down, don't mark on the paper”!!
February 12, 2025
This is a novella set in the fictional town of Malgudi. When a mysterious stranger shows up at the station claiming to be working for the UN, an aspiring journalist feels compelled to take care of him. He does it both out of a sense of hospitality and curiosity that he might get fodder for his writing. But nevertheless, the stranger leads to aa major upheaval in his life.
It is a cosy and a pretty short read. The characters are quirky and typical R.K. Narayan style. The story was written in latter part of his career and we see some changes in Malgudi culture from the pre-Independence era stories, which I enjoy the most. The story has some drawbacks, mainly regarding why the journalist is so taken up with this random stranger who is not just cheating on his wife but also seducing young women of the town.
That said, it's always delightful to visit Malgudi, no matter the time period or what the inhabitants are doing. Enjoyable read but not as much as Narayan's usual other works, especially the earlier ones.
It is a cosy and a pretty short read. The characters are quirky and typical R.K. Narayan style. The story was written in latter part of his career and we see some changes in Malgudi culture from the pre-Independence era stories, which I enjoy the most. The story has some drawbacks, mainly regarding why the journalist is so taken up with this random stranger who is not just cheating on his wife but also seducing young women of the town.
That said, it's always delightful to visit Malgudi, no matter the time period or what the inhabitants are doing. Enjoyable read but not as much as Narayan's usual other works, especially the earlier ones.
December 10, 2012
A bit about the physical book itself: This is a paperback I bought in India (Bangalore). It’s clearly a foreign book—the paper is rather creamy, and the typesetting job is just slightly uneven, though there’s something satisfying about the way the paper seems to absorb just a little bit of the ink. It’s bound with little strings, and here and there in the inner corner of the pages you can see a little number that showed the binder how to put the book together. It’s full of the kind of object-ness, a feeling of being handmade, that you don’t get with e-books or electronic readers (yet—I can imagine uniqueness or idiosyncracies being built into future readers and documents).
I brought a few other Narayans back with me, too. He writes such perfect plain English.
Some quotes:
It was no use arguing with that man Varma; he was self-made, rising from a menial job to his present stature as the proprietor of the Boardless [Hotel], which fact proved, according to him, that he knew his mind and could never be wrong.
“Full of protein, you know, packed and hermetically sealed by nature, not the minutest microbe can sneak in: you may pick the nut off the road dust, crack it open, and eat it without fear of infection. Don’t you consider the arrangement splendid?”
“You are in charge?” enquired the visitor.
“Yes, sir, I’m the station master,” replied the man with a touch of pride but restraining himself from adding, I’ve still two years to go and then will retire honourably, back to my village where we have our ancestral land, not much, four acres and a house.
“Where is the waiting room?”
“Over there, sir, but please wait, I’ll get it ready for you.”
He himself took charge of the suitcase from the porter…
“Don’t drag it, I’ll carry it,” implored the visitor.
“Never mind, sir,” said the station master and would not let go his grip till he reached the verandah. The porter was gone to fetch the keys of the waiting room and also a broom, duster, mop, and a bucket. Opening the door, the station master begged, “Don’t come in yet.” With the porter’s help he opened a window, dusted and swept the room, and got it ready for occupation. He kept saying, “I’ve requisitioned for carpet and furniture at headquarters.”
After a couple of days, he realised that the grand visitor had no intention of leaving.
Now he remarked from his seat that an autorickshaw ride was heating to the blood and also disjointed the bones. The autorickshaw driver Kari was upset at this remark and retorted haughtily:
“People are jealous and create such rumours. Simpson Company at Madras have built the body and they know what is good for our bones.”
“I took care not to go beyond a certain limit in caresses, cuddling and fondling—though within that limit, we attained supreme happiness.”
The lady left the next day for Delhi. The station master became maudlin at the parting—a man who was used to seeing off hundreds of passengers each day in either direction, in a cold businesslike manner, had tears in his eyes when the engine pulled up…His life and children were there to bid her farewell. First time I noticed what a lot of children he had produced under his little roof. I suspected that the Delhi woman must have distributed liberally gifts and tips…
“This is the future occupant of our planet,” he said in a tone of quiet conviction: “This is a weed spreading under various aliases in every part of the earth—known in some places as Congress weed, don’t know which Congress is meant, Mirza Thorn, Chief’s Tuft, Voodoo Bloom, the Blighter and so on. Whatever the name, it’s an invader, may have originated out of the dust of some other planet left by a crashing meteor. I see it everywhere; it’s a nearly indestructible pest. Its empire is insidiously growing—I have surveyed its extent and sent a memorandum to headquarters.”
I refrained from asking, Which headquarters? Like the word “project” it’s a tabloid word which needs no elucidation. He went on as if inspired: “No one has found a weedicide capable of destroying it. They seem to go down at the first spraying, we tried it in Uganda, but a second generation come up immune to it…I have calculated through computers that, at the rate of its growth, the entire earth will be covered with it as the sole vegetation by about A.D. 3000. It’ll have left no room for any other plant life; and man will starve to death as no other growth will be possible and this has no food value—on the contrary, it is a poison. You will notice that cattle don’t touch it. In addition to other disservices, it sucks and evaporates all the ground water. We should call it the demon grass. My notes on this are voluminous—and the book, when it comes out, will be a sensation.”
“What’s your field of study?” I could not help asking.
[A librarian:] “My fate has not decreed me a better life than sitting here guarding dusty volumes. Don’t add to my troubles. If you don’t see the book, it’s not there, that’s all….Go, go take your seat; don’t stand here and block the air, please.”
For platonic purposes one did not have to take a trip to Peak House in Gaffur’s taxi.
From the author's postscript:
...When I am at work on a novel, I imagine that I am keeping a crowd of characters waiting outside my door, who are in search of their author.
…I feared that I might be compelled to inflate my stories with laboured detail and description of dress, deportment, facial features, furniture, food and drinks—passages I ruthlessly skip when reading a novel. While writing, I prefer to keep such details to a minimum in order to save my readers the bother of skipping. Also, I have the habit of pruning and trimming, when I look over the first draft, and then in a second draft a further lopping off is certain, until I am satisfied that the narrative progresses smoothly.
I brought a few other Narayans back with me, too. He writes such perfect plain English.
Some quotes:
It was no use arguing with that man Varma; he was self-made, rising from a menial job to his present stature as the proprietor of the Boardless [Hotel], which fact proved, according to him, that he knew his mind and could never be wrong.
“Full of protein, you know, packed and hermetically sealed by nature, not the minutest microbe can sneak in: you may pick the nut off the road dust, crack it open, and eat it without fear of infection. Don’t you consider the arrangement splendid?”
“You are in charge?” enquired the visitor.
“Yes, sir, I’m the station master,” replied the man with a touch of pride but restraining himself from adding, I’ve still two years to go and then will retire honourably, back to my village where we have our ancestral land, not much, four acres and a house.
“Where is the waiting room?”
“Over there, sir, but please wait, I’ll get it ready for you.”
He himself took charge of the suitcase from the porter…
“Don’t drag it, I’ll carry it,” implored the visitor.
“Never mind, sir,” said the station master and would not let go his grip till he reached the verandah. The porter was gone to fetch the keys of the waiting room and also a broom, duster, mop, and a bucket. Opening the door, the station master begged, “Don’t come in yet.” With the porter’s help he opened a window, dusted and swept the room, and got it ready for occupation. He kept saying, “I’ve requisitioned for carpet and furniture at headquarters.”
After a couple of days, he realised that the grand visitor had no intention of leaving.
Now he remarked from his seat that an autorickshaw ride was heating to the blood and also disjointed the bones. The autorickshaw driver Kari was upset at this remark and retorted haughtily:
“People are jealous and create such rumours. Simpson Company at Madras have built the body and they know what is good for our bones.”
“I took care not to go beyond a certain limit in caresses, cuddling and fondling—though within that limit, we attained supreme happiness.”
The lady left the next day for Delhi. The station master became maudlin at the parting—a man who was used to seeing off hundreds of passengers each day in either direction, in a cold businesslike manner, had tears in his eyes when the engine pulled up…His life and children were there to bid her farewell. First time I noticed what a lot of children he had produced under his little roof. I suspected that the Delhi woman must have distributed liberally gifts and tips…
“This is the future occupant of our planet,” he said in a tone of quiet conviction: “This is a weed spreading under various aliases in every part of the earth—known in some places as Congress weed, don’t know which Congress is meant, Mirza Thorn, Chief’s Tuft, Voodoo Bloom, the Blighter and so on. Whatever the name, it’s an invader, may have originated out of the dust of some other planet left by a crashing meteor. I see it everywhere; it’s a nearly indestructible pest. Its empire is insidiously growing—I have surveyed its extent and sent a memorandum to headquarters.”
I refrained from asking, Which headquarters? Like the word “project” it’s a tabloid word which needs no elucidation. He went on as if inspired: “No one has found a weedicide capable of destroying it. They seem to go down at the first spraying, we tried it in Uganda, but a second generation come up immune to it…I have calculated through computers that, at the rate of its growth, the entire earth will be covered with it as the sole vegetation by about A.D. 3000. It’ll have left no room for any other plant life; and man will starve to death as no other growth will be possible and this has no food value—on the contrary, it is a poison. You will notice that cattle don’t touch it. In addition to other disservices, it sucks and evaporates all the ground water. We should call it the demon grass. My notes on this are voluminous—and the book, when it comes out, will be a sensation.”
“What’s your field of study?” I could not help asking.
[A librarian:] “My fate has not decreed me a better life than sitting here guarding dusty volumes. Don’t add to my troubles. If you don’t see the book, it’s not there, that’s all….Go, go take your seat; don’t stand here and block the air, please.”
For platonic purposes one did not have to take a trip to Peak House in Gaffur’s taxi.
From the author's postscript:
...When I am at work on a novel, I imagine that I am keeping a crowd of characters waiting outside my door, who are in search of their author.
…I feared that I might be compelled to inflate my stories with laboured detail and description of dress, deportment, facial features, furniture, food and drinks—passages I ruthlessly skip when reading a novel. While writing, I prefer to keep such details to a minimum in order to save my readers the bother of skipping. Also, I have the habit of pruning and trimming, when I look over the first draft, and then in a second draft a further lopping off is certain, until I am satisfied that the narrative progresses smoothly.
January 19, 2018
تنتمي إلى تلك الروايات التي تخلو من الصراعات، الرجل الثرثار وهو بطلنا يروي قصة " ران " الرجل الكبير ذو الملامح الأوروبية الذي ظهر فجأة في تلك البلدة في الهند والذي تواصل بشكلا ما مع الرجل الثرثار الذي يود أن يكون صحفيا برغم أنه لا يحتاج إلى مال. برغم هيئة ران الوقورة والغموض الذي يكتنفه فأن الرجل الثرثار - الذي لا نعلم اسمه - يعرف عن طريق الصدفة أن له علاقات غرامية بعدد شعر رأسه وأنه هاربا من زوجته التي أتت للبحث عنه.
يمتلك الكاتب لغة سردية بسيطة ويقول في أخر الرواية انها ليست قصة قصيرة و من الممكن أن نسميها رواية قصيرة فذلك أفضل وأنه لا يجد من داعٍ للحشو والتفاصيل الغير مفيدة.
June 2, 2012
Revisited this classic by RKN today. R K Narayan is my first hero when it comes to books and to me, it is impossible to not like any book of his.
Talkative Man or TM as he is known to the general masses is a storyteller. An observer of the human race. A raconteur in the idyllic world of Malgudi who is cursed like the saint Narada, to keep talking and tell tales. He embarks on a tale about a mysterious and suave gentleman from Timbuctoo Dr. Rann ("The double n was a stroke of genius")who by some act of fate had come under his care. TM expounds on Rann's activities and through his opinions on them, reveals some insight into the workings of the mind in a south Indian town. Of course there is more to the story than that where Dr.Rann is not all he claims to be. But we wouldn't want to go into all that here would we? Grab a copy and get reading.
It is the clear pose and the ease with which Narayan narrates the tale that amazes me. Not a single instance seems contrived or incongruous. The characters who come and go like the evening breeze near a sea shore manage to refresh you in the same way and linger on in your mind afterwards as a sweet memory. There is some satire though never negative or hurtful, in fact innocent in its own RKN-ish way.It is a must read for any Narayan fan, for TM and the author, according to me, seem to share a lot of characteristics and the fact that both of them are impeccable storytellers is just the tip of the iceberg.
Talkative Man or TM as he is known to the general masses is a storyteller. An observer of the human race. A raconteur in the idyllic world of Malgudi who is cursed like the saint Narada, to keep talking and tell tales. He embarks on a tale about a mysterious and suave gentleman from Timbuctoo Dr. Rann ("The double n was a stroke of genius")who by some act of fate had come under his care. TM expounds on Rann's activities and through his opinions on them, reveals some insight into the workings of the mind in a south Indian town. Of course there is more to the story than that where Dr.Rann is not all he claims to be. But we wouldn't want to go into all that here would we? Grab a copy and get reading.
It is the clear pose and the ease with which Narayan narrates the tale that amazes me. Not a single instance seems contrived or incongruous. The characters who come and go like the evening breeze near a sea shore manage to refresh you in the same way and linger on in your mind afterwards as a sweet memory. There is some satire though never negative or hurtful, in fact innocent in its own RKN-ish way.It is a must read for any Narayan fan, for TM and the author, according to me, seem to share a lot of characteristics and the fact that both of them are impeccable storytellers is just the tip of the iceberg.
March 20, 2018
As usual, the setting is imaginary town Malgudi. A journalist, whose name was not revealed in the novel----people addressed him by the name 'Talkative man' or in short for 'TM,' narrated the story.
TM is an aspiring journalist, who met a strange man named "Runn" at the waiting room of Magaldi railway station and events so happen that he has to take him to his home for the temporary stay.
Later a women came to town, claims to be the wife of this strange man "Runn" with a malicious tale of his past, on the other hand, Runn claims to be on the particular project of United Nations, which required him to visit different countries.
Its story of women to get back her husband and a story of a journalist to save a minor girl from making a decision that he considers would ruin her life.
They may not be RKN's best work but definitely matches up to his standard.
TM is an aspiring journalist, who met a strange man named "Runn" at the waiting room of Magaldi railway station and events so happen that he has to take him to his home for the temporary stay.
Later a women came to town, claims to be the wife of this strange man "Runn" with a malicious tale of his past, on the other hand, Runn claims to be on the particular project of United Nations, which required him to visit different countries.
Its story of women to get back her husband and a story of a journalist to save a minor girl from making a decision that he considers would ruin her life.
They may not be RKN's best work but definitely matches up to his standard.
November 25, 2018
I am on a mission to finish reading all of RK Narayan’s works. ‘The Talkative Man’ had been on my bookshelf for a while, and it called out to me while I was reorganising my shelves. Of all the books I have read of RK Narayan, this was probably the most underwhelming. Usually, Narayan’s words make me chuckle - the sardonic humor a treasure to read. And usually, somehow he manages to wring your heart as well.
But ‘Talkative Man’ did none of those things. I felt nothing for main narrator whose actions rather bewildered me and the usual assortment of motley yet lovable characters that populate Malgudi were rather missing. In the end, because Narayan writes in such an easy, flowing style, you somehow get through the book. But well, I would not be talking much about this book.
But ‘Talkative Man’ did none of those things. I felt nothing for main narrator whose actions rather bewildered me and the usual assortment of motley yet lovable characters that populate Malgudi were rather missing. In the end, because Narayan writes in such an easy, flowing style, you somehow get through the book. But well, I would not be talking much about this book.
March 29, 2017
3.5 stars it is!
Will share the detailed review soon.
Will share the detailed review soon.
November 22, 2012
Book : Talkative Man
Author : R.K. Narayan
This book of the 'Grand Old Man Of Malgudi' was written in 1983 but still shows the simple Indian town of Malgudi in its unique rustic setting which makes the book a very pleasant read. The author in this book seems to want to focus on characters rather than incidents which helps us to put ourselves in the places of the characters portrayed by R.K.Narayan. The novel is comparatively a short one. The author in the postscript himself states that he needed to finish the story itself with its suspense on page 116 & thoroughly justifies his action which appeals to the contemporary Indian reader. He also states that he wanted to focus on his characters in the story especially on the character of the fraud & cassanova Dr. Rann which the author does well enough for the reader to love & hate the character at the same time.
What intrigues me about this novel was the way the author has analysed his characters. There is an equal amount of action in this novel as well as drama in a very humorous form (very much like R.K.Narayan) to keep a reader wanting to know what will come next. There are the usual Malgudi characters in this story who as usual bring out the rich flavor of the book but also adds to its intricacy. I highly appreciated this work for the way it described the charisma of a born flirt & his Home Guard (equipped with pistol) wife Sasara.
The first mention that I want to make in regard to the literary value of this piece of art is, the role of protagonist.,ie.,the Talkative Man himself ! This personage has been appearing in most (if not all) of Narayan's literary attempts. He is never referred to by his real name at all except the pet name bestowed on him which is that of a very 'Talkative Man'. He is also called TM for short.....but never by his personal name. (except once where an old school friend refers to him as Madhu in this very book itself for the first time) the reason behind the non-usage of the name is plain & simple...Narayan wishes this intellectual character to remain sans emotion & sans opinion & what best way to create an impersonal character than by just not giving the character a name or any over ruling emotion. I can state this for, it is a truth that TM does not really have an emotional side to him at all. He is a rich person in his own right, who lives on the famous Kabir Street of Malgudi but does not like to be idle. He therefore spends his time as a freelance journalist, roaming about the streets of Malgudi for stories which he can post to his publishers. (somewhat like R.K.Narayan himself during his days as a journalist)TM has no family & is not married which again adds to his anonymity. He speaks a lot & carries tales of the residents to others, similar to the celestial sage Narada in Hinduism whom Narayan is most obsessed with. Yet, he is trusted by his friends & is genuinely a very helpful individual.
The second ingredient that was very remarkable in this Narayan edition was the person of the infamous Dr. Rann.Now, Dr. Rann has been described in detail in this manuscript but he does not speak much throughout the novel. His 'women' or the women in his life whom he had duped really tell us more about the character of Dr. Rann than Dr. Rann himself. He is the crux of the whole story & the reader will note that Dr. Rann's character is not only a novelty to Malgudi, but also to us himself. We cannot stop our curiosity about the man & his vague 'research' about futurology which seems as peculiar as the person professing it in question. Dr. Rann has some charm about him that endears him not only to TM but also to women.....be them his seniors or his juniors. He seems to know this trait about himself. He tries to avoid its complexes, yet can't do without it. this brings out a very human side of the character we involuntarily admire & laugh at.
The activities of the characters are brisk just like TM himself & rather mysterious (like Dr. Rann & the librarian's grand daughter who meet at a Protestant Cemetery to court each other)
But the resemblance of these characters in our own selves is evident.
Humour is at its peak in this novel, although its short lived as the novel ends quite quickly. All in all however, a perfect read for a reader who enjoys his characters.
Fiza PathanS.O.S. Animals And Other Stories
Author : R.K. Narayan
This book of the 'Grand Old Man Of Malgudi' was written in 1983 but still shows the simple Indian town of Malgudi in its unique rustic setting which makes the book a very pleasant read. The author in this book seems to want to focus on characters rather than incidents which helps us to put ourselves in the places of the characters portrayed by R.K.Narayan. The novel is comparatively a short one. The author in the postscript himself states that he needed to finish the story itself with its suspense on page 116 & thoroughly justifies his action which appeals to the contemporary Indian reader. He also states that he wanted to focus on his characters in the story especially on the character of the fraud & cassanova Dr. Rann which the author does well enough for the reader to love & hate the character at the same time.
What intrigues me about this novel was the way the author has analysed his characters. There is an equal amount of action in this novel as well as drama in a very humorous form (very much like R.K.Narayan) to keep a reader wanting to know what will come next. There are the usual Malgudi characters in this story who as usual bring out the rich flavor of the book but also adds to its intricacy. I highly appreciated this work for the way it described the charisma of a born flirt & his Home Guard (equipped with pistol) wife Sasara.
The first mention that I want to make in regard to the literary value of this piece of art is, the role of protagonist.,ie.,the Talkative Man himself ! This personage has been appearing in most (if not all) of Narayan's literary attempts. He is never referred to by his real name at all except the pet name bestowed on him which is that of a very 'Talkative Man'. He is also called TM for short.....but never by his personal name. (except once where an old school friend refers to him as Madhu in this very book itself for the first time) the reason behind the non-usage of the name is plain & simple...Narayan wishes this intellectual character to remain sans emotion & sans opinion & what best way to create an impersonal character than by just not giving the character a name or any over ruling emotion. I can state this for, it is a truth that TM does not really have an emotional side to him at all. He is a rich person in his own right, who lives on the famous Kabir Street of Malgudi but does not like to be idle. He therefore spends his time as a freelance journalist, roaming about the streets of Malgudi for stories which he can post to his publishers. (somewhat like R.K.Narayan himself during his days as a journalist)TM has no family & is not married which again adds to his anonymity. He speaks a lot & carries tales of the residents to others, similar to the celestial sage Narada in Hinduism whom Narayan is most obsessed with. Yet, he is trusted by his friends & is genuinely a very helpful individual.
The second ingredient that was very remarkable in this Narayan edition was the person of the infamous Dr. Rann.Now, Dr. Rann has been described in detail in this manuscript but he does not speak much throughout the novel. His 'women' or the women in his life whom he had duped really tell us more about the character of Dr. Rann than Dr. Rann himself. He is the crux of the whole story & the reader will note that Dr. Rann's character is not only a novelty to Malgudi, but also to us himself. We cannot stop our curiosity about the man & his vague 'research' about futurology which seems as peculiar as the person professing it in question. Dr. Rann has some charm about him that endears him not only to TM but also to women.....be them his seniors or his juniors. He seems to know this trait about himself. He tries to avoid its complexes, yet can't do without it. this brings out a very human side of the character we involuntarily admire & laugh at.
The activities of the characters are brisk just like TM himself & rather mysterious (like Dr. Rann & the librarian's grand daughter who meet at a Protestant Cemetery to court each other)
But the resemblance of these characters in our own selves is evident.
Humour is at its peak in this novel, although its short lived as the novel ends quite quickly. All in all however, a perfect read for a reader who enjoys his characters.
Fiza PathanS.O.S. Animals And Other Stories
February 2, 2018
There were a few of these short R.K. Narayan books in the English language section of my new Italian library and I picked this one out at random. It wasn't hugely exciting but was a nice enough short story - about a mysterious, exotic stranger arriving in a small country town, causing a stir - and it was mildly amusing in parts. I won't rush to read the others but it was fine as a filler between other longer books.
January 19, 2022
A thoroughly captivating plot and, I make you sure the story will not disappoint you, RK Narayan's elegant writing style is the added bonus of all of it. An another unexpected journey of Malgudi.
April 1, 2018
The story reminds me so much of Narayan’s other stories, especially Waiting for Mahatama where the main protagonist comes from Kabir Street and has inherited great money and has no need to earn livelihood but rather face existential questions of life. If a person does not have any troubles to earn livelihood, what will be the purpose of life? What will a person do?
Through the lens of talkative man, Narayan looks at the human condition of how a small town treats an individual from abroad. But more so about the cage of domesticity that binds a husband and wife.
It was enjoyable and light experience reading the novel. I also enjoyed reading the postscript where he writes about his opinion on less pages for a novel and keeping details away in novel which people like him avoids and also how he focuses on the flow of narration and story can only go as long as it stays alive in an author. It must not be extended for sake of appearing so called novel.
Through the lens of talkative man, Narayan looks at the human condition of how a small town treats an individual from abroad. But more so about the cage of domesticity that binds a husband and wife.
It was enjoyable and light experience reading the novel. I also enjoyed reading the postscript where he writes about his opinion on less pages for a novel and keeping details away in novel which people like him avoids and also how he focuses on the flow of narration and story can only go as long as it stays alive in an author. It must not be extended for sake of appearing so called novel.
October 8, 2019
A normal story.
November 5, 2025
it was neither bad nor good, just fine.
July 4, 2021
I really liked our narrator TM... and that post script gave me enough closure :)
July 21, 2022
Awesome
May 3, 2020
A curious little novella...
April 20, 2021
RK Narayan is a magician. Period.
In this short yet magical masterpiece, the very prodigal author weaves another story in Malgudi, the most loved fictional village in India. He writes about the narrator - Talkative Man (TM), who has a compulsive urge to tell stories and how he helps a wife’s attempt to reclaim her erratic, philanderer husband, one who has got travelers’ bug. In just 116 pages, author elaborates everything needed and skips everything unnecessary and that’s the magic of RKN. His Small Man, Small Means, Small Schemes, Big Talk theme runs through the story and is one that should be read by everyone. Strongly recommended.
In this short yet magical masterpiece, the very prodigal author weaves another story in Malgudi, the most loved fictional village in India. He writes about the narrator - Talkative Man (TM), who has a compulsive urge to tell stories and how he helps a wife’s attempt to reclaim her erratic, philanderer husband, one who has got travelers’ bug. In just 116 pages, author elaborates everything needed and skips everything unnecessary and that’s the magic of RKN. His Small Man, Small Means, Small Schemes, Big Talk theme runs through the story and is one that should be read by everyone. Strongly recommended.
January 19, 2015
Ah! Another fascinating character from Malgudi – placid, composed and a lot of native wit. Every single thing a person in Malgudi learns is by an exposure to the beautiful town and to various wonderful innocent characters which act in self interest earnestly. I love every time I get to imagine a new part of the town with developments occurring along with the story connected to Malgudi. If ever I get to live a character other than mine, I would like to live in Malgudi as one of those simple minded souls whose life is like a sail on a tranquil river – peace at regular intervals even though there is disruption of small size every now and then which settles even before we realize anything abnormal. It is so satisfying to read simple lives to which we no longer have access to. I am already worried that there are only few books left of Narayan’s, I do not know from where I would borrow these interesting lives after reading all of his works. Maybe I will dwell in his inexhaustible source of untroubled souls forever.
Unlike other novels, this one has a postscript at the end of the novel where Narayan describes why he does not concern about the quantity while writing and some speculations on the story there after. This instalment is shorter definitely but the ending being abrupt in nature, I liked it very much. As for the TM is concerned the title could have been any other thing as the story revolves around Dr.Rann and his adventures with women from all over the globe; but as the story starts with TM narrating the whole story to Varma, the title is justified. One could make an award winning movie out of this, a story of deception and of an escapist.
TM seemed enigmatic. He did not spill any information on whereabouts of Dr.Rann when his perturbed wife came searching for her lover all the way from Delhi. And he was not even moved by their love story and kept mute all along till he found that another girl is about to fall in the trap of Dr.Rann’s charm. Simple and diligent.
Unlike other novels, this one has a postscript at the end of the novel where Narayan describes why he does not concern about the quantity while writing and some speculations on the story there after. This instalment is shorter definitely but the ending being abrupt in nature, I liked it very much. As for the TM is concerned the title could have been any other thing as the story revolves around Dr.Rann and his adventures with women from all over the globe; but as the story starts with TM narrating the whole story to Varma, the title is justified. One could make an award winning movie out of this, a story of deception and of an escapist.
TM seemed enigmatic. He did not spill any information on whereabouts of Dr.Rann when his perturbed wife came searching for her lover all the way from Delhi. And he was not even moved by their love story and kept mute all along till he found that another girl is about to fall in the trap of Dr.Rann’s charm. Simple and diligent.
January 7, 2017
I am a big fan of RK Narayan's Malgudi books and when staying in Mysore (the town/city on which Malgudi is allegedly based) they always feel perfect. I found this one in the library at the Green Hotel (which I recommend), and it saw me into the new year delightfully.
it is a quick read - as the author says in the notes at the end, longer than a short story and shorter than a novel at 116 pages - with a sudden end.
it evokes small town India late 20th century as well as any of the Malgudi books. it captures India on the cusp of the huge changes which have come about in the last 3 decades. it does so with tenderness and a keen ear, and without any tedious long description passages (which Narayan himself says he always skips when reading novels) but portraying a vivid sense of events in a town which lives and changes.
subtle hints about the escalating changes in India include the introduction of the auto rickshaw and the recommendations from an estate agent, as well as the topic and rendition of the town hall lecture at the denouement (on futurology).
it gives, as Narayan always gives, a good natured though never saccharine read. he does not shy away from difficult situations or awkward politics, which typify India at this 50 year period in its long life and development.
up there with The English Teacher.
happy new year.
it is a quick read - as the author says in the notes at the end, longer than a short story and shorter than a novel at 116 pages - with a sudden end.
it evokes small town India late 20th century as well as any of the Malgudi books. it captures India on the cusp of the huge changes which have come about in the last 3 decades. it does so with tenderness and a keen ear, and without any tedious long description passages (which Narayan himself says he always skips when reading novels) but portraying a vivid sense of events in a town which lives and changes.
subtle hints about the escalating changes in India include the introduction of the auto rickshaw and the recommendations from an estate agent, as well as the topic and rendition of the town hall lecture at the denouement (on futurology).
it gives, as Narayan always gives, a good natured though never saccharine read. he does not shy away from difficult situations or awkward politics, which typify India at this 50 year period in its long life and development.
up there with The English Teacher.
happy new year.
May 16, 2022
The storyline was just about okay and fine if looking for a fun short read. What I really enjoy in some his books like this one is the hilarious yet accurate description of the Indian curiosity/perspective in the olden days towards anyone that looked/dressed foreign. Reading these makes you nostalgic of some such interactions we witnessed in our own life as an Indian and expect how even more unwittingly funny people were in the 1950s or so. It is also pleasant to read of the quaintness of life back then.
Favorite line was the narrator’s description of how nature has hermetically sealed peanuts safe for consumption and not a single microbe can enter a peanut shell even after picking one up from a dusty road . 😂
Indian English example- the ruthless use of the word 'dress' for every kind of clothing (even a men's outfit) which is done to this day..
Favorite line was the narrator’s description of how nature has hermetically sealed peanuts safe for consumption and not a single microbe can enter a peanut shell even after picking one up from a dusty road . 😂
Indian English example- the ruthless use of the word 'dress' for every kind of clothing (even a men's outfit) which is done to this day..
June 9, 2024
I only discovered R.K. Narayan last year but already he has become one of my favourite writers. Talkative Man is a very short novel, more of a novella really, set in Malgudi as are most of his books, and it is an enthralling read, charming and humorous and a little bit haphazard. Essentially it is a semi-picaresque in which the action always seems to be episodic and wide-ranging but in fact is firmly grounded in one small town in a sleepy backwater of Southern India. The 'Talkative Man' of the title is the narrator but not really the main character, though he does appear in other short stories that Narayan wrote. The next Narayan book I plan to read is his early novel The Dark Room.
August 15, 2017
With his knack of bringing every 4th word together in humour and rest 3 in weaving a curious tale , kept me entertained throughout. A short and crisp book with the usual satire of small town charm. Being a fan of Malgudi days and the "Common man" cartoon strips, I was pleasantly surprised when I came upon this gem of a book in a charity shop in London! . I am so glad I did. This is a quick read with well formed characters and easy flow. The story takes you through itself with a fluidity which makes page turning a pleasure!
Highly recommended for all Swami fans ( you will recognize the background!)
Highly recommended for all Swami fans ( you will recognize the background!)
May 20, 2015
I love RK Narayan’s books. Despite being the writer’s fan, I didn’t smile often when I read Talkative Man. The story ended before it could draw me in. Sadly, the book didn’t offer the deep sigh that one heaves after reading the last page. I only thought: Was it really RK Narayan? On the other hand, I don’t want to be too critical. Because, it was RK Narayan after all. :) He was the one who gave me The English Teacher and A Tiger for Malgudi. Full review here: https://worncorners.wordpress.com/201...
January 2, 2012
I loved the flow of the story and the sense of mystery about the true identity of the man from Timbuctoo. The arrival of the lady who claims to be this man's wife, further grips the attention of the reader. The man character who is called as Talkative Man is a wealthy journalist helps this lady to return his vagrant and elusive husband to her, only to find out later that he has again escaped and gone off to another place, without informing anyone.
September 5, 2016
Talkative Man is one of the shortest novel written by RKN. I like the characters sketch, the plot and the narration. As in the postscript this could have got an ending... but to me, this is enough! And I love reading this book again and again.
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