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El cuento de la abuela
"La frontera entre realidad y ficción, emtre biografía e ingenio es tan delgada en esta crónica que, finalmente, desaparece. Los lectores se preguntarán cuánto de ella es historia y cuánto mera invención. Ni siquiera yo tengo la respuesta. El relato se desarrolló a partir de las notas que yo tomaba de la narración que me contaba mi abuela, día tras día, cuya protagonista era su propia madre, quien salió a la busca de su marido, que la había abandonado sin dejar señas después de pronunciar un lacónico adiós." Así explica Narayan su más reciente logro literario.
Casada a los siete años con Viswa, un niño de diez, Bala se encuentra un día, antes de que el matrimonio se haya consumado, abandonada por su impúber esposo. Pasan los años sin noticias, y Bala, acosada por las maledicencias de la aldea, abandona el hogar para iniciar una aventura que durará veinte años y tendrá como resultado su reencuentor con Viswa, el regreso a malgudi y el nacimiento de emdia docena de hijos de los cules desciende el pripio R.K. Narayan.
Casada a los siete años con Viswa, un niño de diez, Bala se encuentra un día, antes de que el matrimonio se haya consumado, abandonada por su impúber esposo. Pasan los años sin noticias, y Bala, acosada por las maledicencias de la aldea, abandona el hogar para iniciar una aventura que durará veinte años y tendrá como resultado su reencuentor con Viswa, el regreso a malgudi y el nacimiento de emdia docena de hijos de los cules desciende el pripio R.K. Narayan.
429 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
91 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Narayan
143 books1,944 followersR. K. Narayan is among the best known and most widely read Indian novelists who wrote in English.
R.K. Narayan was born in Madras, South India, in 1906, and educated there and at Maharaja's College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends and its successor, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the enchanting fictional territory of Malgudi and are only two out of the twelve novels he based there. In 1958 Narayan's work The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor.
In addition to his novels, Narayan has authored five collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malguidi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and the re-told legends Gods, Demons and Others, The Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. In 1980 he was awarded the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 1982 he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Most of Narayan's work, starting with his first novel Swami and Friends (1935), captures many Indian traits while retaining a unique identity of its own. He was sometimes compared to the American writer William Faulkner, whose novels were also grounded in a compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy of ordinary life.
Narayan who lived till age of ninety-four, died in 2001. He wrote for more than fifty years, and published until he was eighty seven. He wrote fourteen novels, five volumes of short stories, a number of travelogues and collections of non-fiction, condensed versions of Indian epics in English, and the memoir My Days.
-Wikipedia & Amazon.co.uk
R.K. Narayan was born in Madras, South India, in 1906, and educated there and at Maharaja's College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends and its successor, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the enchanting fictional territory of Malgudi and are only two out of the twelve novels he based there. In 1958 Narayan's work The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor.
In addition to his novels, Narayan has authored five collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malguidi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and the re-told legends Gods, Demons and Others, The Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. In 1980 he was awarded the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 1982 he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Most of Narayan's work, starting with his first novel Swami and Friends (1935), captures many Indian traits while retaining a unique identity of its own. He was sometimes compared to the American writer William Faulkner, whose novels were also grounded in a compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy of ordinary life.
Narayan who lived till age of ninety-four, died in 2001. He wrote for more than fifty years, and published until he was eighty seven. He wrote fourteen novels, five volumes of short stories, a number of travelogues and collections of non-fiction, condensed versions of Indian epics in English, and the memoir My Days.
-Wikipedia & Amazon.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 31, 2016
On 30th of December, 2016 I saw a great tragedy waiting silently in the corner of my mind, ready to strike at any moment. The tragedy, who goes by no name, but I like to call her, "The Guilt of Failing Thy Goodreads Challenge" comes scarily close near the end of every year. But this time it was the worst. I had two days to find my 12th book, finish it, and post a review in order to survive.
So I went book hunting in my own apartment which is generally littered with plenty of books. It is so because, every few months I go to university library and get a lot of books which are issued for an year. This way, I can enjoy the feeling of having lots of books but not having to pay for them or feel guilty when I have to throw them away due to relocation (my academic career doesn't let me stay at one place, so I have to keep moving, at least so far).
I needed the thinnest book, and this one which had three novellas from Narayan fitted my tight schedule. Although my 11th book was also from Narayan, and I try not to read an author's work in succession to maintain diversity, I had little choice in this matter.
The book had three novellas: 1) The Grandmother's Tale, 2) Guru, and 3) Salt and Sawdust. About Narayan, I don't know what shall I say after saying all that I've said in my review of "The Bachelor of Arts"? He is a master of words, and pierces your heart with his wit. While the first two stories were pretty good, it was the last one, "Salt and Sawdust" that swept me off my feet.
Its the story of a struggling writer, who is a housewife and married to a caring and wise husband. There is a classic contrast between art and practicality, between idealism and realisim - the irony that engulfs the poor couple who is trying to publish a manuscript simply affected me too much. Perhaps I liked it because I could relate to it so much. As any writer knows, writing is one thing and publishing is another. If you get a chance to just read this particular story, do read it.
Final Verdict: If you're looking for good, literary writing in English from India, R. K. Narayan will never disappoint you.
So I went book hunting in my own apartment which is generally littered with plenty of books. It is so because, every few months I go to university library and get a lot of books which are issued for an year. This way, I can enjoy the feeling of having lots of books but not having to pay for them or feel guilty when I have to throw them away due to relocation (my academic career doesn't let me stay at one place, so I have to keep moving, at least so far).
I needed the thinnest book, and this one which had three novellas from Narayan fitted my tight schedule. Although my 11th book was also from Narayan, and I try not to read an author's work in succession to maintain diversity, I had little choice in this matter.
The book had three novellas: 1) The Grandmother's Tale, 2) Guru, and 3) Salt and Sawdust. About Narayan, I don't know what shall I say after saying all that I've said in my review of "The Bachelor of Arts"? He is a master of words, and pierces your heart with his wit. While the first two stories were pretty good, it was the last one, "Salt and Sawdust" that swept me off my feet.
Its the story of a struggling writer, who is a housewife and married to a caring and wise husband. There is a classic contrast between art and practicality, between idealism and realisim - the irony that engulfs the poor couple who is trying to publish a manuscript simply affected me too much. Perhaps I liked it because I could relate to it so much. As any writer knows, writing is one thing and publishing is another. If you get a chance to just read this particular story, do read it.
Final Verdict: If you're looking for good, literary writing in English from India, R. K. Narayan will never disappoint you.
October 21, 2009
R K Narayan doing what he does the best.Telling stories that are simple in their narration,subtle in their emotions and crazy in their conception and so so believable in their final interpretation.
October 28, 2018
To somebody like me who hasn't read a lot of short stories, it was instructive as to what the short story can or should do. The ones which had been etched in my memory were those which had a twist in the tale, or a powerful ending (Guy De Maupassant, O'Henry etc). There had also been a few "realistic" short stories such as ones by James Joyce, Chekhov which hadn't really stayed on in my memory.
This was a delightful set of short stories which were all similar to one other in terms of the time and space they had been set. The period broadly deals with 1850-1960s set in rural, semi-rural settings in pre-Independent India. Many of the stories are set in Narayan's beloved Malgudi or other such towns. The stories deal with interesting, "well-known"(to the Indian readers), loveable characters - the squabbling husband-wife pair, the spendthrift moneylender, shrewd shopkeepers, loving relatives are all there. There's so much more to the book though. There are also striking, unconventional characters - a young girl who travels thousands of miles in search of her husband in a strange land, a determined but not gifted wife who is determined to write a novel, and even a dog! One story had an absolutely hilarious, bizarre conversation between a village peasant and an Englishman who can't understand each other. It's a piece that could inspire so many sketches. Another short story was a dark, tragic one that dealt with communal riots.
R.K. Narayan is a wonderful writer. He seamlessly brings alive the tales he is narrating. His stories derive a lot of value simply from this. They showcase worlds and people far removed from yourself in space and time. He doesn't judge, but simply narrates the stories with a sympathetic eye for the characters. He uses impeccable Queen's English with many a (now) archaic word.
While the stories vary in nature and how long they are, some of the ones towards the end ended abruptly and were seemingly "incomplete", for the lack of a better word.
Overall, a very good collection of diverse short stories with some going beyond what one would expect from the usual R.K. Narayan story.
This was a delightful set of short stories which were all similar to one other in terms of the time and space they had been set. The period broadly deals with 1850-1960s set in rural, semi-rural settings in pre-Independent India. Many of the stories are set in Narayan's beloved Malgudi or other such towns. The stories deal with interesting, "well-known"(to the Indian readers), loveable characters - the squabbling husband-wife pair, the spendthrift moneylender, shrewd shopkeepers, loving relatives are all there. There's so much more to the book though. There are also striking, unconventional characters - a young girl who travels thousands of miles in search of her husband in a strange land, a determined but not gifted wife who is determined to write a novel, and even a dog! One story had an absolutely hilarious, bizarre conversation between a village peasant and an Englishman who can't understand each other. It's a piece that could inspire so many sketches. Another short story was a dark, tragic one that dealt with communal riots.
R.K. Narayan is a wonderful writer. He seamlessly brings alive the tales he is narrating. His stories derive a lot of value simply from this. They showcase worlds and people far removed from yourself in space and time. He doesn't judge, but simply narrates the stories with a sympathetic eye for the characters. He uses impeccable Queen's English with many a (now) archaic word.
While the stories vary in nature and how long they are, some of the ones towards the end ended abruptly and were seemingly "incomplete", for the lack of a better word.
Overall, a very good collection of diverse short stories with some going beyond what one would expect from the usual R.K. Narayan story.
August 5, 2017
Loved this book. Read it when I was a kid, this was hidden inside my history text book so that no one knew when I read it. Still remember the nuances of the story especially when grandma travels to Maharashtra
October 22, 2024
The name RK Narayan instantly conjures up visions of Malgudi for most Indians. And the book Guide - made even more memorable by the eponymous movie with the charismatic Dev Anand and Waheeda Rahman. Perhaps because of all this, expectations from any book by the great author are sky high. And one feels disappointed, let down even, when such expectations are not met. I chanced upon this book in a local shop in London and pounced on it - feeling guilty, to be honest, for not having read this one already. But for reasons mentioned above, I was hoping to get a lot more out of the present book than I actually ended up getting. Not by way of prose, not in terms of storyline. Yes, there is evidence all through of a mastermind at work, spinning a plausible yarn, but as I turned the last page, I did not get that feeling of "wish there were a few more pages..." I am not worthy of passing judgement on a great man like RK Narayan, but I would say this to someone who considers picking up this book as their first read of the author's works: please try the Malgudi books, Guide, The English Teacher, The Painter of Signs - each a gem in terms of literary style and storytelling. Please do not read this before establishing a firm base with some of the other books mentioned.
May 5, 2017
R K Narayan's writing touches your heart. There is nothing more fulfilling than recollecting how simple life was back then. How our ancestors grew old. How a generation before us, kept themselves entertained. How people were happy with smaller things like getting photographed, getting a new shirt stitched, cooking a nice meal and then serving on banana leaf, gardening.
How big was everyone's heart back then. Or was it imaginary. I do not know. I am happy R K Narayan's writing somehow gives me the confidence that all the people back then had a big big heart and less hate towards each other.
Simple professions, less complications, minimal stuffs and absolutely no crap (like virtual world).
In this fast paced life, what more can I expect to slow down my day, but for R K Narayan's writing. Infact, he pauses time, not just slows time.
I can re-read these stuffs again and again.
Cheers,
How big was everyone's heart back then. Or was it imaginary. I do not know. I am happy R K Narayan's writing somehow gives me the confidence that all the people back then had a big big heart and less hate towards each other.
Simple professions, less complications, minimal stuffs and absolutely no crap (like virtual world).
In this fast paced life, what more can I expect to slow down my day, but for R K Narayan's writing. Infact, he pauses time, not just slows time.
I can re-read these stuffs again and again.
Cheers,
December 31, 2024
"The Grandmother's Tale" by R.K. Narayan is a beautifully written novella that reflects his signature style of storytelling, rooted in Indian culture and traditions. The book, published in 1992, is based on a true story from Narayan's own family history, narrated by his grandmother. It provides a vivid glimpse into the life and values of 19th-century India.
The story revolves around Bala, a young girl married at the age of seven, who grows up alongside her husband Viswa. When Viswa unexpectedly leaves home for an extended journey, Bala embarks on a determined quest to find him, defying societal norms and expectations. Her journey spans several years and takes her across vast distances in India, eventually reuniting with her husband under extraordinary circumstances.
The book also features several of Narayan's selected short stories. The Horse and The Two Goats is my favourite of all and I remember watching it's televised version.
The story revolves around Bala, a young girl married at the age of seven, who grows up alongside her husband Viswa. When Viswa unexpectedly leaves home for an extended journey, Bala embarks on a determined quest to find him, defying societal norms and expectations. Her journey spans several years and takes her across vast distances in India, eventually reuniting with her husband under extraordinary circumstances.
The book also features several of Narayan's selected short stories. The Horse and The Two Goats is my favourite of all and I remember watching it's televised version.
May 6, 2019
An uneven collection of short stories. A few that I really didn't like, the rest OK, sometimes enjoyable, never great. Lots of slice of life type stories. I'm not a huge short story fan (although that seems to be a very common affliction) and this is not a collection that offers anything to make me reconsider that stance.
June 2, 2019
The first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Touching on Indian traditions, family dynamics, gender relations and wider power relations through 3 simply, but beautifully, constructed stories. Felt like straightforward stories as I was reading but so much depth on reflection. Will definitely be seeking and reading more.
May 14, 2020
I have always loved RK Narayan for his descriptive writing portraying India in the funniest and most magical ways.
The stories are just snapshots of moments in someone's life without a decisive ending - just how I like it so that I can let the story continue anytime I recall it.
The stories are just snapshots of moments in someone's life without a decisive ending - just how I like it so that I can let the story continue anytime I recall it.
September 1, 2018
Another gem, beautifully written...
September 13, 2019
It's a book of unrelated stories, describing life in India, but to me they seemed boring till about half-way through the book. In the end they got interesting.
January 19, 2023
De verhalen waren hoe korter hoe beter?!
September 2, 2025
This anthology is a mixed bag for me, although Narayan's sublime writing is unbelievably good.
May 12, 2017
The stories in this collection are simple like the writer's style. The narrative in spite of being simple was still able to evoke curiosity, laughter and in some cases a tongue in cheek reaction. Overall, although there were some great short stories in this collection, some were too simple to make a point. RK Narayan has held more of my interest with his novels than with this short story collection
November 24, 2022
3.2 (RD)
January 14, 2017
Narayan writes wry, understated stories about domestic life in small-town India during the twentieth century. The Grandmother's Tale and Selected Stories is filled with tiny heartbreaks and minute revelations; the modulated restraint is so sustained that the rare streaks of malice or wit in these stories are almost shocking. I think I prefer those shocks: the exquisite small-scale tone is so constant as to be numbing, while the louder stories (showcasing such outrageous emotions as distant self-loathing and vague confusion) are arresting. "Second Opinion" features a narrator cleaving both to and from his mother, "Annamalai" is an oblique portrait of the near-friendship between a writer and his gardener, and the eponymous "The Grandmother's Tale" is a family myth refracted through several separate speakers.
September 8, 2016
I think this is the second book by RK Narayan which I have given up on because it's just too slow and full of uninteresting conversation for me.
February 8, 2017
Super story, the story starts like a grand mother starts telling her personal story(flash back) to his grand son... the narration of the story was superb....
January 14, 2013
There are some great Tales within this compilation of shorts. I read and re-read these ever so often and the stories are thought evoking. I remember being astonished when in one story a neighbor got to spank the hell out of a bratty child, I later was told this is acceptable in India. Can't you just imagine if it would be okay to do in the USA? What a different world India is.
January 16, 2013
Short stories collection.
November 20, 2008
its a sweet story. Its not about the bedtime stories that Grandmother tells but the tale of grandma herself.
November 29, 2013
This book was entertaining. Funny, and I didn't feel like putting it down. I liked the story Salt and Sawdust the most.
September 21, 2014
The new additions don't quite have the magic as the ones compiled in the classic Malgudi Days. But still enjoyable.
Want to read
September 18, 2016sads
April 19, 2019
Something which is interesting to me
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews