The Guide

N.K. Narayan's The Guide, for which he won the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor, is a deep yet wryly humorous examination of the frailties of humans and the meaning and consequences of our actions. The main question seems to be, "Are we creators of our own destinies, or are we mere reactors to the people and circumstances which surround us? And, furthermore, does it really matter, in the end, why we do what we do? Or is the final result the only thing that matters?" What more important inquiry can there be? An entire philosopy course could be taught using this wonderful book as the basis.

Despite other reviewers' insistence that this is a "beach book," "a light read," you should read this book and carefully. Its deprecators need to try again; not everything is to be read and understood on a superficial level. Their comments say more about them than the book, and I wonder if they're not a little condescending. I was always disappointed that Narayan did not win the Nobel for literature; his is a wondrous gift of language and humanity. Your heart and mind will be enriched by reading it, and it will always stay with you.

The way Narayan interlaces the two different streams of stories in the book is wonderful. The novel is a masterpiece in the way it is written and takes the reader to a visual tour of malgudi lansscape. The way Narayan has developd the city of malgudi is really exemplery. The transformation of Raju from a high society man to a saint is well laid out. The lives of Raju and Rosy has been well presented. The day to day activities around Raju, the saint's, during fasting is also well presented. The whole episode is dramatised to such an extent that we can visualise the whole thing in front of our eyes. The most importent thing about Narayan is the language that he uses through out the book. Its amazing the way he presents the whole novel in such a simple language. The climax is really heart rendering. Narayan holds the readers interest through out the book. A must read for anyone.

Truly a literary classic, Guide is a brilliant presentation of the master story teller R.K.Narayan. From a petty tourist guide to a swamy the transformation of Raju was depicted with shocking reality and exceptional lyrical beauty. Transformation from the position of a neglected wife to an accomplished dancer of Rosy was another parellel life we see here. Both these lives reaches their pinnacle when raju becomes a swamy and do the wonder because of the belief of people on him. The description of everyday of fasting by raju shows beautiful transformation in the petty guide. The climax is really heartbreaking. Raju puts down his head, leaves this mortal world and it starts raining. It gave me little shrill in my spine and greatest sad feeling. Truely unforgettable work by the master.

Marvellously written book. Winner of the highest literary award in India, the Sahitya Kala Academy Award, this book makes fascinating reading. Among the few books that I managed to finish on an overnight train journey without being able to put down. I am sure it would be a book that would be reread by all those who have read it once. Charecterisations that Narayan weaves for Rosy and Raju are just brilliant. The high point of the book is I think the transformation of Raju, unaware to himself, into a sort of hermit from the guide at the railway station that he used to be.This has come off so beautifully in the book. Quite worth putting your money into. The book was also made into a highly successful movie by the same name staring Dev Anand. This movie,many may not be aware, was also made in English and had its screenplay written by oscar winning screen writer Pearl Buck.