Indian writers are considered very underrated. I don’t know why but it is so, but they are. But there are some books which are a must. And the book I am going to talk about today is one such book.
I have loved the movie Guide since the first time I saw it. But as we all know when it comes to portraying the true emotions and the subtle life of characters, movies fail in that most of the time. But I have to say this is one of the rare movies which has the capability to do so.
Coming back to the novel, this book is one of its kind. It is, as every R.K. Narayan book, is set in the mythical town of South India called Malgudi. Raju is a shopkeeper by profession as he inherits the shop from his father. But he is destined to become a guide. Famous by the name of ‘Railway Raju’, it seems he is destined to become a guide. It shows in everything he does.
In my opinion, Raju is symbolical to each one of us. When he meets a married dancer Rosie, he cannot keep his mind in control. When he gets the success he cannot help but becomes arrogant. All these sins are committed by Raju. But…
But Raju is destined to be a guide. Even after spending 2 years in jail, he cannot escape his nature. WE cannot escape our nature. He becomes an ultimate guide. Raju’s realizations pull him to become free from the world.
Our actions done with utmost honesty can change the world. This is what R.K. Narayan wants to convey through this beautiful novel, which you may find very simple from the surface but if you go deep you’ll find the utmost truths of life hidden.
Read this book if you haven’t. That is all I want to say.
Thoughts of solitude 