Swami and Friends
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| Author | R.K. Narayan |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press (not first) |
| Released | 1935 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-226-56829-6 (hardback edition) |
| Followed by | The Bachelor of Arts |
Swami and Friends is the first of a trilogy of novels written by R.K. Narayan, a celebrated English language novelist from India. The novel, which is also Narayan's first, is set in pre-independence days in India, in a fictional town called Malgudi. The second book is Bachelor of Arts and the third is The English Teacher.
A paperback edition was issued in Chicago by the University of Chicago Press in 1980 with ISBN 0-226-56829-6. Many other editions have been issued in other countries by several other publishers.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
Swami and Friends is the story of ten-year old Swaminathan, a boy full of innocence, wonder, and mischief, and his experiences growing up in the fictional town of Malgudi. He is a student at the British-established Albert Mission School, which stresses Christianity, English literature, and the value of education. Life changes dramatically for young Swami when Rajam - a symbol of colonial power - joins the school, and becomes his close friend.
[edit] Plot summary
[edit] A town called Malgudi
A railway station serves as the main entry point for Malgudi. It is here that you find Raju, the guide who will help you explore the village. On your way through Lawley's extension, you'll visit Ananda Bhavan, where you can have a sip of coffee before continuing the journey. Some of the remarkable characters you'll meet during your visit are the town gossip, the financial expert, the man who owns Truth Press, the English teacher, and many others.
Before long, you'll also come across our protagonist, the adventurous boy called Swami.
[edit] The real crux
The story begins with Swami, who was born and brought up in Malgudi, attending his monotonous schooling in Albert Mission School.
The story gets its heat when Rajam, son of a police officer joins his school and the dispute that occurs between Rajam and Mani (who is also Swami's friend.) and thereinafter the steady friendship between Swami, Rajam and Mani. The only aim of this profound creature is to form a cricket team.
[edit] Climax
What started as an ambition, parted his friendship with Rajam. The writer nearly brings tears to your eyes when you see that Rajam moves out of the city without even saying a word to Swami.
| The Works of R. K. Narayan |
| Novels: Swami and Friends | The Bachelor of Arts | The English Teacher | Mr. Sampath - The Printer of Malgudi | The Financial Expert | Waiting for the Mahatma | The Guide | The Man-Eater of Malgudi | The Vendor of Sweets | The Painter of Signs | A Tiger for Malgudi | Talkative Man | The World of Nagaraj |
| Collections: The World of Malgudi |
| Short Stories: Dodu and Other Stories | Cyclone and Other Stories | An Astrologer's Day and Other Short Stories | Lawley Road and Other Stories | A Horse and Two Goats | Malgudi Days | Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories | The Grandmother's Tale and Selected Stories |
| Non-Fiction: Next Sunday | My Dateless Diary | My Days | The Emerald Route | A Writer's Nightmare | Like The Sun |
| Mythology: Gods, Demons and Others | The Ramayana | The Mahabharata |
