R.K. Narayan has 6 audiobooks on Listento.it, narrated by 4 narrators. The most-rated is Maalgudi Ka Chalta Purza [The Financial Expert].
Guide (Hindi Edition)
Summary
R.K. Narayan’s reputation as one of the founding figures of Indian writing in English is re-examined in this comprehensive study of his fiction, which offers detailed readings of all his novels. Arguing against views that have seen Narayan as a chronicler of “authentic” Indianness, John Thieme locates his fiction in terms of its specific South Indian contexts and cultural geography and its non-Indian intertexts. The study also considers the effect that Narayan’s writing for overseas publication had on novels such as Swami and Friends, The Guide and The Man-Eater of Malgudi. Narayan’s imaginary small town of Malgudi has often been seen as a metonym for India. Thieme draws on recent thinking about the ways in which place and space are constructed to demonstrate that Malgudi is always a fractured and transitional site, an interface between older conceptions of Indianness and contemporary views that stress the ubiquitousness and inescapability of change in the face of modernity. The study also shows that Malgudi is seen from varying angles of vision and with shifting emphases at different points in Narayan’s career. As well as offering fresh insights into the influences that went into the making of Narayan’s fiction, this is the most wide-ranging and authoritative guide to his novels to have appeared to date. It provides a unique account of his development as a writer. Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.
©2017 R.K. Narayan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
![Cover art for Maalgudi Ki Kahaniyan [Stories of Malgudi]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51io0-3s-rL._SL500_.jpg)
Maalgudi Ki Kahaniyan [Stories of Malgudi]
Summary
Indian short stories offer readers an authentic peek into the various aspects of Indian life. The ones that have been written by R. K. Narayan stand out in the large collections of Indian short tales available. Malgudi Ki Kahaniyan (Hindi) is a set of stories that are based in the fictional town of Malgudi. The town of Malgudi is a South Indian village created by the author and offers a valuable peek into the quality of rural life during the pre-independence era. The characters in these stories come from different walks of life, and each has a unique tale to tell. These stories have characters such as astrologers, postmen, doctors, beggars and priests. Interesting situations arise from the interactions these people have in the vividly described village of Malgudi. The village has been epitomised as the classic, traditional South Indian village in the world of Indian literature. The author pens these tales in a wandering way that takes listeners across the imaginary worlds of these well developed characters. Based somewhere along the banks of the river Sarayu, the village created by Narayan seems lifelike because of his descriptions.
©2008 R.K. Narayan (P)2019 Audible, Inc.
![Cover art for Maalgudi Ka Mithai Wala [The Vendor of Sweets]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ddKA+Bj+L._SL500_.jpg)
Maalgudi Ka Mithai Wala [The Vendor of Sweets]
Summary
The fictional town of Malgudi comes alive in this vibrant tale by R.K. Narayan, The Vendor of Sweets, translated into Hindi by Mahendra Kulshreshtha. Well into his 50s, Jagan runs a shop of sweets. A Gandhian by principle, he himself has given up both sugar and salt and announces his desire for an austere life. He spends his days attempting to enlighten those around him with his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita, faltering when his listeners pose deeper questions. His son, Mali, quietly rebels against his father’s way of life and holds him responsible for his mother’s death due to his reluctance to allow treatment through modern medicine. Determined to lead a life of independence, Mali moves to America to fulfil his ambition of becoming a writer. He returns with a complacent air and an American wife, Grace, in tow. Jagan is left grappling with a hostile son and a daughter-in-law whom he believes to be a gold digger. He offers to handover the sweets business to Mali, who refuses firmly. Jagan is shocked to discover truths about Mali and Grace’s relationship that challenge his mindset and morality. Will his beliefs stay strong, or will his hypocrisy surface as the ground is pulled from under his feet? The novel follows the complex father-son relationship, subtly indicating the emotional and cultural conflict of a time of transition in India. In this tug-of-war between traditional values and modern lifestyle, will relationships fall apart or discover new resilience? Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.
©2013 R.K. Narayan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
![Cover art for Naagraj Ki Duniya [The World of Nagaraj]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+OVehINmL._SL500_.jpg)
Naagraj Ki Duniya [The World of Nagaraj]
Summary
A Hindi translation of R.K. Narayan’s The World of Nagaraj by Rama Tiwari, the novel delves into the seemingly mundane yet secretly lively musings of a middle-aged man, Nagaraj. Residing in a small town, he lives by the conviction that there is some unfulfilled purpose in his life and is devoted to working towards this. But first, he must discover what his true calling is. As he prepares to unravel his talent as a budding writer of epic literature, his leisurely life is gently unsettled by the arrival of his nephew, Tim. Although fond of the young man, Nagaraj and his wife, Sita, are alarmed at his decision to leave his father’s home suddenly and stay with them. Finding his writing mission and peaceful pace interrupted, Nagaraj attempts to understand and mentor his nephew, only to be drawn into a series of peculiar events. Tim’s mysterious late-night activities, his casual attitude towards his career, and his slippery ways challenge Nagaraj’s principles of discipline and righteousness. Alternately witty, insightful, humorous and moving, the novel unfolds the worlds of two generations as they struggle with their identity and seek ways of coexisting. Will Nagaraj find a way to balance his own creative ambitions with the energetic tumult of the world around him? Will his literary pursuit fall through or face up to the challenges? Would his nephew’s decadence upturn his own moral universe? Will he adapt his stories to reflect the newly emerging world of youth and desire, or will he give up his storytelling ambitions? Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.
©2011 R.K. Narayan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
![Cover art for Maalgudi Ka Mehmaan [Talkative Man]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GgKfs2UgL._SL500_.jpg)
Maalgudi Ka Mehmaan [Talkative Man]
Summary
R.K. Narayan, a notable author from the early Indian literature in the English language, is most famous for his stories and novels set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, first introduced in his novel Swami and His Friends (1935). His other famous work, The Guide, won the Sahitya Akademi Award for works in English in 1960 and was later turned into a feature film. In a career that spanned more than 60 years, he has written 15 novels and several short stories, many of which are set in Malgudi. Malgudi Ka Mehman is the Hindi translation of Narayan’s 1986 novel Talkative Man, where Narayan tells the story of an unnamed character: the titular ‘talkative man’ (TM), who, although living comfortably on the famous Kabir Street of Malgudi, works as a freelance journalist to satiate his passion for stories and conversations - much like Narayan himself during his early days as a journalist. One day, he comes across a mysterious man, a certain Dr Rann, who arrives in Malgudi from Timbuktu, wearing a fancy blue suit and claiming to be researching a project for the United Nations. Fascinated by him, TM invites him over to stay in his house. As time passes, however, gossip spreads that Dr Rann is seducing the librarian’s young daughter. Before TM can even respond to this news, he is faced with another mystery, as a large woman arrives from Delhi, claiming Dr Rann to be her erratic, wandering husband. Will TM be able to find the truth about Dr Rann and his ‘wife’? Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.
©2014 : R.K. Narayan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
![Cover art for Maalgudi Ka Chalta Purza [The Financial Expert]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510gUOsCfcL._SL500_.jpg)
Maalgudi Ka Chalta Purza [The Financial Expert]
Summary
Malgudi Ka Chalta Purza is the Hindi translation of R.K. Narayan’s English novel The Financial Expert (1952), where he explores the themes of greed and lust for money. The story takes place in the fictional town of Malgudi. Margayya is a petty money-lender who operates his business under the banyan tree in front of the bank. As his business flourishes though, he is faced with opposition and threats from the bank employees, forcing him to think of an alternative career. Angered with this humiliation, he vows to become a wealthy man. With blessings from Goddess Lakshmi and business collaborations with his new friend Dr Pal, who writes Kama Sutra-style literature, Margayya is able to improve his financial and social position, flexing his muscles every now and then to resolve matters. However, his spoilt son, Balu, keeps creating troubles for him with his irresponsible behaviour leading to many unpleasant situations. Margayya also develops animosity against Dr Pal on finding out that he is acting as a bad influence over his son and vows to save himself and his family from Dr Pal. Will he succeed this time? R.K. Narayan is a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author, most famous for his stories and novels set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, which was first introduced in his novel Swami and His Friends (1935). His other famous works include Malgudi Days, Waiting for the Mahatma, The Man-Eater of Malgudi, and The Guide. A journalist at heart, Narayan also wrote regular columns for several magazines and newspapers including The Hindu and The Atlantic. Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.
©2012 R.K. Narayan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.