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daja57's review against another edition
5.0
Set in an Indian city, probably in the 1960s. Raman, the sign painter, leads a pleasant bachelor existence, looked after at home by a very devout aunt, enjoying male companionship at a coffee-shop, reading book after book on philosophy and religion. He has no intention of getting married. Until he meets Daisy.
Daisy works for a government family-planning campaign. She wants him to make her a sign. From their very first meeting, he can't stop thinking about her. They they go into the countryside, from village to village, so she can plan her campaign, and he can work out where to place family-planning propaganda signs. Over these three weeks together, Raman falls in love.
But, with a key turning point almost exactly half way through the book, the course of true love never runs smoothly.
It is beautifully written. The story is told from the point of view of the narrator and we are privy to all the details of his life, his small obsessions, his habits, his ideas; his is a character which is explored in all its complexity. The other two main characters are only seen through his eyes and so, although they are convincing as real people, there are many things that we do not understand about them. There is a colourful supporting cast. The way of life of the people in the city is described with detail and affection, adding verisimilitude and making the setting into another, very real, character.
The story of Shantanu is referenced in the book. For those unfamiliar with Hindu epics (I had to look this up), he was a King who met a beautiful woman but she would only marry him providing he never asked her any questions about her actions. They had seven sons; she drowned them one by one. When she was about to drown the eighth son, he broke his promise and asked her what was going on. After explaining something about demons, she (and the boy) vanished.
A simple tale, carefully told, grounded in the everyday life of the protagonist. I'd love to read more from this author.
Daisy works for a government family-planning campaign. She wants him to make her a sign. From their very first meeting, he can't stop thinking about her. They they go into the countryside, from village to village, so she can plan her campaign, and he can work out where to place family-planning propaganda signs. Over these three weeks together, Raman falls in love.
But, with a key turning point almost exactly half way through the book, the course of true love never runs smoothly.
It is beautifully written. The story is told from the point of view of the narrator and we are privy to all the details of his life, his small obsessions, his habits, his ideas; his is a character which is explored in all its complexity. The other two main characters are only seen through his eyes and so, although they are convincing as real people, there are many things that we do not understand about them. There is a colourful supporting cast. The way of life of the people in the city is described with detail and affection, adding verisimilitude and making the setting into another, very real, character.
The story of Shantanu is referenced in the book. For those unfamiliar with Hindu epics (I had to look this up), he was a King who met a beautiful woman but she would only marry him providing he never asked her any questions about her actions. They had seven sons; she drowned them one by one. When she was about to drown the eighth son, he broke his promise and asked her what was going on. After explaining something about demons, she (and the boy) vanished.
A simple tale, carefully told, grounded in the everyday life of the protagonist. I'd love to read more from this author.
mazzzo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the writing style is so smooth and the characters somehow present themselves as trustable, even though their beliefs are all very questionable. found a new fav author !!
adrianlarose's review against another edition
3.0
A cute and efficient 70s sitcom that takes us into the culture of that place and time through a handful of characters. Well told and enjoyable.
kumarnishanthtr's review against another edition
3.0
Its a fun read about the simple minded Painter who meets a girl who has her own different views about family, children, marriage and other things which are considered normal by most people in the society.
misha_devi's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. I can see how this critiques the condition of women in 1970s India, with Daisy and the Aunt being/becoming so resolute in their goals and independence. However, I didn’t find it particularly enjoyable and there was never any indication why Daisy would even consider marrying the misogynistic and repressed Raman, particularly after what he did that night on the cart. I can see what Narayan was trying to do but I don’t think it was entirely successful.
isabel_ali's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
eghegh's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
nithesh_123's review against another edition
4.0
One expects Indian writers' books to always end on a positive and happy note. In fact , I expected RK Narayan to keep up to that cliche. But he surprises me with this book.
As I always say, RK is someone who brings out the struggle between modernity and traditions during his time. In this book he speaks about feminism and birth control . He creates two powerful feminine characters who shatter a man's life in two different ways. In a predominantly man's world, where Raman takes his aunt for granted and feels that his lover has an obligation to his emotional well being.
Both defy him strongly.
But one could also feel pity for the character since he is not guilty of any crimes. His sense of entitlement is derived from his possessive attitude and the social norms of his time ( and of course our times as well) . A brilliant and humorous work of fiction indeed.
As I always say, RK is someone who brings out the struggle between modernity and traditions during his time. In this book he speaks about feminism and birth control . He creates two powerful feminine characters who shatter a man's life in two different ways. In a predominantly man's world, where Raman takes his aunt for granted and feels that his lover has an obligation to his emotional well being.
Both defy him strongly.
But one could also feel pity for the character since he is not guilty of any crimes. His sense of entitlement is derived from his possessive attitude and the social norms of his time ( and of course our times as well) . A brilliant and humorous work of fiction indeed.
elianne2's review against another edition
3.0
Over een man die niet luistert wanneer de vrouw nee zegt, en over een vrouw die uiteindelijk doet waar ze zelf zin in heeft.