Malgudi Days (Penguin Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

R. K. Narayan (Author), Jhumpa Lahiri (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: August 29, 2006

Four gems, with new introductions, mark acclaimed Indian writer R. K. Narayan's centennial

Introducing this collection of stories, R. K. Narayan describes how in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." Powerful, magical portraits of all kinds of people, and comprising stories written over almost forty years, Malgudi Days presents Narayan's imaginary city in full color, revealing the essence of India and of human experience.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

India's great novelist presents "a gallery of colorful characters" in this collection of short stories set in the mythical village of Malgudi. LJ's reviewer found the tales "compelling miniature gems" (LJ 4/1/82).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

R. K. Narayan (1906–2001), born and educated in India, was the author of fourteen novels, numerous short stories and essays, a memoir, and three retold myths. His work, championed by Graham Greene, who became a close friend, was often compared to that of Dickens, Chekhov, Faulkner, and Flannery O'Connor, among others. October 10, 2006, is the centennial of Narayan's birth.

Jhumpa Lahiri won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her debut collection of stories, Interpreter of Maladies, and is the author of The Namesake.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143039652
• ISBN-13: 978-0143039655
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Revisiting the old classic.. Nostalgia makes it sweeter, August 25, 2004

By 

Engineer for literature (Boston MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malgudi Days (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin) (Paperback)

I reread Malgudi days after 20 or so years! It was a delight just as it was when I read them the first time. Only this time; being in the US, made the Characters more endearing! Looking through the mist of time the village with all its sounds sights and smells looked prettier than a real one. This is a book for you all ex-pats to curl up on a snowy winter day with a hot cup of tea (even better if someone makes hot Pakoras to go with!) and enjoy.
To the non-Indian friends, may be a hot coffee and some chicken nuggets (or soy nuggets!) and winter days.
To the couple of readers who were disappointed! Well the whole point behind these stories is to capture the life as it flows. The climax is in the journey itself.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible stories!, July 6, 2004

By 

CoffeeGurl - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Malgudi Days (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin) (Paperback)

Malgudi Days was my introduction to R.K. Narayan and frankly I have been wondering where he's been all my life. These stories are wonderful. They are the kind of stories that will stay with me for several days after reading them. Narayan brings you to a time and a place with each story. His characters are believable, his stories moving, his writing impeccable. Each story is full of humanity. I love this classic author! I really enjoyed this collection and look forward to reading more of his work.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Believe me, the world I left behind is like this, May 3, 2004

By 

Aniruddha G. Kulkarni "Ani Kulkarni" (Pune, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malgudi Days (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin) (Paperback)

Indian village despite its problems of scarcity of drinking water,electricity, poor sanitation, unemployment and lack of health care, holds a charm to all Indians. Mahatma appealed to all Indians to return to villages, Ambedkar asked Dalits to escape them.

More Indians now leave their villages than ever to come to cities.
However, even if they leave their village, its memory remains with them for rest of their life. People call it by different names. Author R K Narayan calls it Malgudi Days!

A delightful book.