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pream's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Swami and Friends is a captivating novel that beautifully illustrates the innocence and struggles of childhood. The setting of the novel is set in a fictional South Indian town during the British Raj.
Narayan skillfully explores the theme of identity through the eyes of Swami and his friends, who tussel with questions of tradition, modernity, and their own desires. Swami's struggles to break free from societal and familial expectations, while yearning for adventure and self-discovery, resonate the most throughout the narrative. It also shows the affection of our dear ones is invaluable in the whole universe.
Narayan skillfully explores the theme of identity through the eyes of Swami and his friends, who tussel with questions of tradition, modernity, and their own desires. Swami's struggles to break free from societal and familial expectations, while yearning for adventure and self-discovery, resonate the most throughout the narrative. It also shows the affection of our dear ones is invaluable in the whole universe.
danabanana252's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
yaboime's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tat_s's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
ani_shtawp's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really wanted to like this book. I thought being Indian would help me like it but I did not find it as rousing. Possibly because I am not a child anymore and also because an Indian girl growing up has a different experience to that of a boy regardless of the time period. Light read but took some effort to finish. Maybe I should’ve given this a shot when I was much younger.
krishnatiwari's review
5.0
I loved reading this book, it was such a nostalgic ride of childhood having sweet and bitter moments, Swami's interaction with his granny was so touching to me, like how he chatted with her abt his school life and get angry over her for not listening properly, but whenever she ventured into her past he didn't care at all, those worthless worries of Swami was funny of getting scolded by his father. Thinking of getting rescued by Mother and granny if Father tried to thrash him. And running from home to avoid problems, but eventually realizing home is the best place on the earth. Planning of having a cricket team, and practicing in the evening , trying to find time from tuition teachers and late classes to play, trolling friends for fun, getting inspired from friends behaviour, and getting involved in friend's brawl, and those discussions after giving exams and realizing how much u hv fucked up, and then pretending you did everything correctly.
I don't know what more to say than after reading this book, I miss my grandma and grandpa, those days when after returning from school she used to lookafter me, those childhood friends who are not in touch now but in childhood I used to spent my whole day with them, those gully cricket matches, and fighting for the chance to get to bat early, those evening walks with friends, all those delicious dishes that mom prepared . Man I miss them so much.
When in the end Rajam shifted with his family to some other place and how Swami brought gift for him , at that last chapter , my heart was heavy. I love this book as an Indian this seems to be much more relatable even though it is a pre independence era story.
I don't know what more to say than after reading this book, I miss my grandma and grandpa, those days when after returning from school she used to lookafter me, those childhood friends who are not in touch now but in childhood I used to spent my whole day with them, those gully cricket matches, and fighting for the chance to get to bat early, those evening walks with friends, all those delicious dishes that mom prepared . Man I miss them so much.
When in the end Rajam shifted with his family to some other place and how Swami brought gift for him , at that last chapter , my heart was heavy. I love this book as an Indian this seems to be much more relatable even though it is a pre independence era story.
mahimam's review
4.0
Will today's children be able to relate to the amazing work that is Swami and Friends?
How could an author, so beautifully present the psyche of young country-side boys, that we readers forget our adult roles and root for the children in all their mischiefs.
Re-reading Swami and friends as an adult has left me nostalgic about my own childhood when the biggest worries we had was how to ask Father for extra money? or, How to maximise out play-time?
How could an author, so beautifully present the psyche of young country-side boys, that we readers forget our adult roles and root for the children in all their mischiefs.
Re-reading Swami and friends as an adult has left me nostalgic about my own childhood when the biggest worries we had was how to ask Father for extra money? or, How to maximise out play-time?
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