Gods, Demons, and Others (Paperback)

~ (Author), R. K. Laxman (Illustrator) "In these three stories concerning the "Others," in the title Gods, Demons, and Others, we note the least interference from gods..." (more)
Key Phrases: Brahma Rishi, Brahma Astra, Raja Rishi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Following in the footsteps of the storytellers of his native India, R. K. Narayan has produced his own versions of tales taken from the Ramayana and the Mahabarata. Carefully selecting those stories which include the strongest characters, and omitting the theological or social commentary that would have drawn out the telling, Narayan informs these fascinating myths with his urbane humor and graceful style.

"Mr. Narayan gives vitality and an original viewpoint to the most ancient of legends, lacing them with his own blend of satire, pertinent explanation and thoughtful commentary."—Santha Rama Rau, New York Times

"Narayan's narrative style is swift, firm, graceful, and lucid . . . thoroughly knowledgeable, skillful, entertaining. One could hardly hope for more."—Rosanne Klass, Times Literary Supplement

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Product Details Paperback: 252 pages Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (May 15, 1993) Language: English ISBN-10: 0226568253 ISBN-13: 978-0226568256 Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #679,275 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
In these three stories concerning the "Others," in the title Gods, Demons, and Others, we note the least interference from gods. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Brahma Rishi, Brahma Astra, Raja Rishi, Seven Sages, Mother Earth

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 20 books:

• Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories (Penguin Modern Classics) by R.K. Narayan in Front Matter
• The Vendor of Sweets (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by R. K. Narayan in Front Matter
• Printer of Malgudi by R. K. Narayan in Front Matter
• Malgudi Days (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin) by R. K. Narayan in Front Matter
• Waiting for Mahatma by R. K. Narayan in Front Matter

See all 20 books this book cites

 

29 books cite this book:

• Hinduism : A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott on page 13, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Folklore, Myths, and Legends by Donna Rosenberg in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Dreamgates: An Explorer's Guide to the Worlds of Soul, Imagination, and Life Beyond Death by Robert Moss in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Dreams, Illusion, and Other Realities by Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Storytellers, Saints, and Scoundrels: Folk Narrative in Hindu Religious Teaching (Contemporary Ethnography) by Kirin Narayan in Back Matter

See all 29 books citing this book

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	77% buy the item featured on this page: Gods, Demons, and Others 4.8 out of 5 stars (4) $17.94
	10% buy The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic (Penguin Classics) 4.4 out of 5 stars (14) $9.89
	7% buy The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic 3.7 out of 5 stars (6) $10.88
	3% buy Malgudi Days (Penguin Classics) 4.5 out of 5 stars (20) $10.20

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Narayan The master story teller, April 22, 2000 By  ananth venkatesan (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews R.K Narayan is perhaps one of the best known Indo Anglican writers. He is known capture the Indianness of his subject despite of writing in english. In this wonderful little book he tries to narrate some excerpts from Indian mythology. These are chosen from portions of great epics to folk lore tales. Most of these tales are usually naratted by a priest or some story teller in a villlage side temple. Having listened to some of those story telling concerts I would say Narayan's book gives you the same exhiliration and joy you would experience as you listen to a live story teller in a village. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Indian Myths and Legends, June 1, 2003 By  Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)       This is a very nice book in which R.K. Narayan retells various stories and legends from India. The stories range from those of Devi to the demon king Ravana and pretty much everything in between. What makes this particularly nice is Narayan's mastery of the English language. He manages to make these stories understandable and approachable for a western audience, and in doing so has created a wonderful book. Even if you are not familar with the many epics of ancient India, I strongly recommend that you approach this book. It makes it very easy for westerners to understand and appreciate the cultural works of South Asia. Check it out. 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Stories that Enhance Understanding of the major players of India's Epics, July 13, 2008 By  Jason G. Harrison "Brahmana of the Written Word" (West Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I would not recommend this work if you haven't had vast exposure to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata (from any translators). If you have a good acquaintance with the major players of these epics, then this book will help clarify many things, as it provides back story that isn't covered in either epic, that explains many otherwise odd aspects of some of the characters' actions and beliefs. No collection of Indian epics is complete without it. Wonderfully written, and a joy to read overall.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Gods, Demons, and Others Fantastic book from truly one of the greatest english writing authors of the 20th Century. Once you read Narayan, any other author is only second best. Published on May 13, 2001 by Dinesh Shah Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (May 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226568253
• ISBN-13: 978-0226568256
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #679,275 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Narayan The master story teller, April 22, 2000

By	ananth venkatesan (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

R.K Narayan is perhaps one of the best known Indo Anglican writers. He is known capture the Indianness of his subject despite of writing in english. In this wonderful little book he tries to narrate some excerpts from Indian mythology. These are chosen from portions of great epics to folk lore tales. Most of these tales are usually naratted by a priest or some story teller in a villlage side temple. Having listened to some of those story telling concerts I would say Narayan's book gives you the same exhiliration and joy you would experience as you listen to a live story teller in a village.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indian Myths and Legends, June 1, 2003

By	Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is a very nice book in which R.K. Narayan retells various stories and legends from India. The stories range from those of Devi to the demon king Ravana and pretty much everything in between. What makes this particularly nice is Narayan's mastery of the English language. He manages to make these stories understandable and approachable for a western audience, and in doing so has created a wonderful book. Even if you are not familar with the many epics of ancient India, I strongly recommend that you approach this book. It makes it very easy for westerners to understand and appreciate the cultural works of South Asia. Check it out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Stories that Enhance Understanding of the major players of India's Epics, July 13, 2008

By	Jason G. Harrison "Brahmana of the Written Word" (West Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would not recommend this work if you haven't had vast exposure to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata (from any translators). If you have a good acquaintance with the major players of these epics, then this book will help clarify many things, as it provides back story that isn't covered in either epic, that explains many otherwise odd aspects of some of the characters' actions and beliefs. No collection of Indian epics is complete without it. Wonderfully written, and a joy to read overall.