Reviews

The Painter of Signs by R.K. Narayan

mazzzo's review against another edition

Go to review page

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 !!

alysian_fields's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous reflective slow-paced

3.5

adrianlarose's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Go to review page

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

Go to review page

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

Go to review page

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

Go to review page

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

Go to review page

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.

elianne2's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

pinkballoon100's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0