Under the Banyan Tree & Other Stories

The writing and the characters stand out when it comes to R. K. Narayan's books. This collection of short stories didn't disappoint me at all. The stories talk about rural livelihoods, the fast changing times, generation gap and the obsolete beliefs of the old times. The debate in most of these stories are about the ideals most of us believe we have versus the ones we disapproved of at others'; the younger generation vs the older generations; the rural life vs the urban life; Twenty-eight short stories in all, each story is delightful to read and has something important to say about the society we live in. My most favourites in this collection are *A Horse and Two Goats: poverty and old age; language barrier *The Roman Image: irony regarding fame and hard work *A Career: frauds and fate *Old Man of the Temple: gave me goosebumps; creepy but witty *A Hero: relatable childhood story *Dodu: love this resourceful, innocent kid *Another Community: communal riots *Like the Sun: is truth worth it? *Chippy: tale of a dog *A Breath of Lucifer: introspection of one's life, a mysterious character *The Mute Companions *Four Rupees *Fruition at Forty *Crime and Punishment *Half a Rupee Worth I liked reading each and every story. Each story has something different to tell and something to learn from. A must read collection.

RK Narayan presents his stories in simple and easy to understand language. You won't require a dictionary to understand the language he uses. This is a wonderful collection of short stories that're timeless and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. I also recommend this book for everyone that wants to improve their written and spoken English. Under the Banyan Tree & Other Stories also makes a superb travel companion and you will enjoy the book during short or long journeys. It would make a wonderful collection to any personal library or book collection. And it's also ideal as a gift for all occasions for people of all ages. This is a timeless book that everyone would definitely love and enjoy. Worth the price, Go for it- for yourself or as a gift to someone.

28 stories are there in the book. Excellent English is used in it. Different types of sentences are used. It enriches the knowledge of English language.

Good Book

It came on time and the fellow who gave itwas so sweet 🙂🤗

All the stories are great. The quality of printing and pages are very decent.

We would have been in a great loss if Rk ' s books were not translated in English..... One of the greatest Indian literature.!!!.

Not as good as swami and friends.

very nice and enjoyable stories, narrated in simple language and with excellent narrative skills.

“アンナマライ”(Annamalai)という素敵な名前を持つ短編が、僕は非常に面白かった。この短編は、実に不思議な味わいのある小説で、南アジアの小説世界においてこれまた一つの重要なテーマである主人と“下僕”との関係・交流について書かれている。十数年ともにすごしたアンナマライから葉書が届くところからこの短編は始まるのだけれども、大仰な挨拶・前説から始まって、突然金を至急送れと言ってよこす。主人はそれに怒るわけではなく、“下僕”の正式の名前や故郷のアドレスが、何度聴いても判然としなかったことやらを回想しつつ(他の箇所でもタミール語の言葉遊びが所々に顔をだし楽しい)、アンナマライとの出会いから別れまでが綴られていく。花を愛しガーデニングに精をだし、主人の眼を盗んでは小遣いを稼ぎ、屋台の物売りから街の情報を仕入れ、隣人に毒づき、盗癖があり、また彼のこれまでの半生(実家からのマドラスへの出奔、マレーシアやセイロンへの出稼ぎ)が述べられるのだ。しかし、この小説が何とも微笑ましいのは、アンナマライが少しも憎しみの対象ではなく、愛くるしいパートナーであることだ。インドにおける主人と“下僕”の関係が興味深いばかりでなく、“下僕”といった存在が、どのような生態の細民であるのかを僕らが想像するためのヒントに充ちた小説なのだ。

Loved this book.Beautifully written giving a real feel for the characters and the fictitious town of Malgudi.

I guess I discovered America when ordering this book; R.K. Narayan is - most deservedly! - a very famous writer; I hadn't got to reading him until now. The short stories in this collection are masterfully written, funny, tragic, touching in many ways, and told in a voice all his own. A great writer, a wonderful book.