rk narayan best novels

Another great work is 'Malgudi Days'. This collection of short stories is set in the fictional town of Malgudi. Each story presents different characters and their unique situations, capturing the essence of Indian life, from the joys and sorrows of ordinary people to the cultural and social nuances of the time.

Well, 'The Vendor of Sweets' is a great story by RK Narayan. It delves into the relationship between a father and son. The father is a traditional sweet vendor and the son has modern ideas which creates a lot of interesting situations. 'A Tiger for Malgudi' is also very good. It's about a tiger who tells his story and how he ended up in Malgudi. It shows Narayan's creativity in using an unusual narrator.

His stories are the best because of his vivid character descriptions. For example, in 'Swami and Friends', Swami is a very relatable character for many. Also, his settings, like the fictional town of Malgudi, are so well - crafted that they seem real. It gives the readers a sense of place.

Yes, 'Waiting for the Mahatma' is among his best. It's set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence. The story follows Sriram, a young man who is in love with Bharati, a follower of Gandhi. It beautifully blends the themes of love and the larger political and social movements of the time.

The novel 'The Guide' is also very well - known. It tells the story of Raju, who starts as a tour guide but his life takes many unexpected turns, exploring themes like love, transformation, and the search for meaning in life. It gives a great insight into Indian society and human nature.

Given Narayan's style, the main characters could be a person with a strong sense of aspiration and a figure that represents some sort of obstacle or mystery. The aspirational character might be trying to break free from the influence of the other, which is like a shadow that follows and affects their every move. Maybe there is a young protagonist who is trying to find his or her own identity while being haunted by this 'shadow' figure that is deeply intertwined with their past or present circumstances.

In 'A Horse and Two Goats', an old man named Muni lives in a poor village. One day, an American tourist arrives. Muni mistakes the tourist's interest in a stone horse statue as a desire to buy his two goats. There is a miscommunication due to language and cultural differences. The story shows the contrast between the simple rural life of Muni and the modern, wealthy world of the tourist.

One main theme is fear. Swami is constantly afraid, especially of sleeping alone. Another theme is growth. Through the events in the story, Swami grows from a fearful boy to someone who can be considered a hero in a sense.

I'm sorry I can't directly summarize it without reading the story first. But generally, RK Narayan often writes about Indian life, so it might involve themes like family, social relations and the cultural environment in India.

One common theme is the exploration of Indian society and its various strata. His stories often depict the simple lives of ordinary people in small towns. Another theme is human relationships, like the complex bond between family members and friends.