Just when I was whimpering about my inability to read more books this year, something pushed me to start reading 'A Tiger for Malgudi', which I bought in last year's annual book exhibition. After almost a year of hibernation in my wardrobe, the tiger Raja chose to befriend me. :)I'm a big fan of R.K. Narayan and who wouldn't like the poignant stories of 'Malgudi Days'. 'A Tiger for Malgudi' is the second book that I read of R.K. Narayan and I must say that he didn't cheat me. He has now made me ask for more of him. The ecstasy and the big-sigh moment that I experienced while reading 'Malgudi Days', grew upon me when I read 'A Tiger for Malgudi' too. I love animals and philosophy and this book gave me the pleasure of learning more about both in around 170 pages. One might think that I have overrated this book. But I couldn't give anything less than five for this marvellous tale that was gripping and insightful at the same time. And you have to forgive me, because at the end of the day, I'm an animal lover. Any book that's got animal in it and if it's a touching and beautiful story, it will certainly be given high rating by me. It's a word of caution to you! Even if you aren't an animal lover, give it a shot for this has so much philosophy to offer. Lose yourself in the thought-provoking dialogues that are written in the simplest form, which, in my opinion, can only be penned by R.K. Narayan.On a rainy day, I finished reading this book at work. And on the same day I realised that this book did some inexplicable magic to the soul and mind! It could have been the rain that played with the mind! But I think it was just the word of R.K.Narayan that piqued my emotions and made me feel better. And finally, I'm even more thankful to the book for I was suffering from readers' block for around six months and 'A Tiger for Malgudi' came as the best cure. I closed the book and I found it hard to realise that I don't live along with Raja and the Master in the woods. I have a life that I have to carry on and there is a wicked world that needs my existence. I refuse to claim a piece of my heart that I left with Raja and the Master! Sigh! If I couldn't forget Attila, the dog that appeared in 'Malgudi Days', I can't stop thinking of Raja, the tiger, the protagonist of 'A Tiger for Malgudi'. The book has myriad of brilliant dialogues. But I would love to quote this one, which represents my mindset too. "Man in his smugness never imagines for a moment that other creatures may also possess ego, values, outlook, and the ability to communicate, though they may be incapable of audibe speech. Man assumes he is all-important, that all else in creation exists only for his sport, amusement, comfort, or nourishment." 'A Tiger for Malgudi' has it all to season your brain and soul!
There is a tiger underneath the desk. The headmaster and the deputy are going to call in a sharpshooter when in walks a sadhu, a mostly-naked, Indian holy man. They say, "Who are you?" He says, do they know who they really are? That he's been trying all his life to find out who he really is.A most unusual story. Hinduism, philosophy, a wife who wants to be nothing more than a wife and a husband who wants to exist on the spiritual plane only. And the tiger, the talking tiger he charms from under the desk in to a new life in the wild for both of them.But then the holy man feels he will become entirely a spiritual entity, will die soon, and makes arrangements for the toothless old tiger to be looked after in a kindly zoo. He tells the tiger that the rule of life is separation, first from the womb and last from life. That is what life is all about and he leaves.It is a wonderful story. The writing is impeccable, nothing could be improved. A very enjoyable read from an absolute master of language, plot and characterisation always with humour and always with depth, but with a light touch that belies that profundity of meaning.
What do You think about A Tiger For Malgudi (1994)?
Once more the great story-teller R. K. Narayan mesmerizes the reader with a tale from his humane corner of the world. It is a corner of his own creation and like other fictional worlds its stories are a delight to read. In this, short novel. we find a narrative for those who like their stories told from the animal's point of view. In this case, a Tiger for the small town of Malgudi; a tiger who is trapped first for a Circus and later sold for use in films. You will be cheering for him as he seeks his freedom. While I have read several stories about Malgudi and its denizens from the pen of R. K. Narayan this one is unique in its perspective and wit.
—James
This is a short little book that presents some aspects of the life of the town of Malgudi (Narayan's fictional town that I am pretty sure most of his novels center around) though the eyes of a sentient tiger that was given understanding of human interactions by a monk. I honestly thought the book was a little slow until the last 10 or 20 pages where the tiger spends his time meditating in the hermit's cave simultaneously starving and accepting his carnivorous nature. The philosophical/theological bent of the final section was quite touching and the rest of the book was well written enough to make me want to read more of Narayan.
—Joseph
There are some stories which you don't forget. No matter how long it has been since you last read them. A Tiger for Malgudi classifies as one such story.Although Malgudi was introduced to me via Swami and his friends, I remember less of him, for some incomprehensible reason. Perhaps I had found this story more humourous than Swami's.The story is narrated by a tiger, Raja, who recounts the story of his capture by a circus owner, his escape; people's reactions on finding a tiger roaming free in the streets of Malgudi and finally his recapture by a monk with whom he lives happily on the hills.“He did not treat me as an animal which sat before him in respectful silence trying to understand his words”.Narayan’s Tiger resolves for once the enigma of his novels. The writer, elusive so far regarding his attitudes and commitments, persistent in his denial of philosophical strains in his novels, has at last put in concrete form his convictions and attitudes. It does not mean that there is total change in the tone of this novel. On the other hand, it bears the usual stamp of humour, irony and satire plus a serenity which is admirable. Narayan’s hall-mark humour shines through in this novel too.An enchanting novel!Oh yeah! My love for tigers originated from here!
—Asra Ghouse
