I find that many readers, including R.K. Narayan’s fans, are not aware of his autobiography. This review is an attempt to make them aware of its existence.To me, RKN is unique. He is one of the very few truly Indian writers of repute. A common man from an average family who wasn’t foreign educated. A man who lived in India, wrote in India, and wrote about India. That makes him more Indian than the likes of Jumpa Lahri, Salman Rushdie and VS Naipaul.Unlike some writers of Indian origin who live overseas and look down their noses on their motherland, RKN’s writing passes no judgement on this strange, complex, lovable country. His stories are perceptions (often melancholic) of very ordinary men and women who live, toil, serve and die in India.Now coming to the book, I found it fascinating. I bought the Kindle version as it was significantly cheaper than the physical one, and because I could obtain it instantly (the local book shops did not carry this book).The numerous tales from a bygone era in Mysore and Madras stirred something in me; something that took me to another place, another world and held me enthralled. Perhaps, it was because they reminded me of stories I had heard in my childhood from my grandfather and uncles. Perhaps they were so deeply Indian that I could relate to them more than anything I have read recently.The other fascinating aspect was an honest insight into a celebrated writer’s mind and outlook. His struggles in making two ends meet, in getting published, and the conflicts of living up to his father’s expectations were engrossing. His views on literature, fiction and writing were things I could relate to.I think I loved the book because I am a fan of RKN’s writing. I am not sure if the people who don’t care for it would like it so much. Therefore, this evaluation, made unashamedly, is entirely subjective.If you are a RKN fan and haven’t read this book, you must do so. If you are not, don’t go only by my review. I can offer no assurances to readers who are unfamiliar with or don’t like RKN’s writing.
My Days is a book whose 17 chapters gave me ubiquitous amount of joy, pleasure and entertainment . This was the first autobiography that I read, and it was very lively. It revealed to me the beauty of enjoying life in whatever state it was just as the author, R K Narayan did. The arrangement of the chapters are in such a way that it gives every detail of the novelist's life with a refreshing and poetic touch in it.I liked the the first few chapters really very much which conveyed the joy of being a child in an adorable fashion. With his monkey and peacock company young Narayan enjoyed the Madras sun showing off its enormous power in the form of unbearable heat in the compound of his strict and modern thinking grandma's house. After a few leisure years of pondering here and there Narayan gets admitted to a school on his way to which he keeps admiring the cityscape of the modern city of Madras and gets lost into his own world.He then goes and lives with his parents and siblings in Mysore with the pleasant hilly climate giving in way to a new life. Here Narayan blooms into a teenager hating formal studies as well as exams and craving to read various writings of Dickens, Marie Corellei, Tolstoy, Thomas Hardy and many others. With lots of efforts he somehow manages to get the degree of B.A. giving it a second try.Then comes in the urge to write. He starts with short stories and sends them to London for publication in English magazines and Gazettes. He has many obstacles in his path which includes finding publishers. Then comes Graham Greene to his rescue who vanishes Narayan's problem helping him start his career.Read the book yourself. The autobiography is ornated with cartoons made by RK Laxman which will please and delighten your heart and bring in a chuckle or a broad smile across your lips.There are also many rare photographs of Narayan in this book.Do read for your development in a wonderful and descriptive style of writing and for an amazing experience too.
What do You think about My Days (2001)?
R.K. Narayan has been one of my favourite authors ever since I read Swami and Friends at the age of 10. So, coming across his untiringly funny memoir at the library was a pleasant surprise.Needless to say, I enjoyed the book throughly. His observations of people, right from his childhood itself are piercingly accurate. His command over English is wonderful, and I feel that a lot of our contemporary Indian authors can learn a lot from him. He never preaches his ideologies, he just gives vent to his views in a free flow, without condemning anybody. The book is a delight for all his fans, and Indians longing to have an insight into a simpler way of life alike. His opinion on our education system was commendable, and it's sad that things haven't changed almost 80 years on. I feel that everyone should be encouraged to read Narayan, for he is an author whose words can never lose their radiance with time.
—Arushi Bhaskar
Vintage R.K.Narayan at it's best.Malgudi Days (television series in 1990's) & Guide (textbook in our 11th std school curriculam) were part of my growing up years, but the real tour-de-force of his outstanding creation was first confronted by in the the early 2009 immediately after finishing my MBA degree. My ocassional trip to the hills of Mysore & Nilgiri's could be the reason for my revived curiosity in him. After all Mysore was where he was based out of & it's speculated that Malgudi is nothing but Mysore.I finished his Swami & his friends, Painter of Signs, Vendor of Sweets (highly recommended) & collected five more of his books in Penguin classics from a Bengalore bookstore discount sale. I am yet to finish them.As it happens, I was intrigued to know more about the author. 'My Days' & 'Emerald Route' are few of his running accounts of his life.Written in the late 1990's 'My Day's ' bears the stamp of Narayan all over it. This master of simple yet fascinating prose has all his Malgudi ingredients in it.
—Indian
Although i m a great fan of the Great man- the creator of Malgudi and its simple folks and know about him more than any other writer, but i m looking forward to read his memoir in order to learn a lot more about the great soul.i always read Narayan's books at night after midnight and it has become a regular habit actually now adays;whenever i start to dozz off i put his books beside me and am easily able to read around 50 pages before getting lost in my sleep and dream world of Malgudi and its innocent characters produced by the sheer brilliance of Narayan and his extraordinary humoristic ways
—Sachin
