R.K. Laxman, India'S Best-Loved Cartoonist, Is Also One Of Our Most Gifted Storytellers. The Same Acerbic Wit And Quizzical Insights That Characterize His Cartoons Are In Ample Evidence In His Writings As Well. This Ominous Volume Contains His Two Novels, The Hotel Riviera And The Messenger, And The Tunnel Of Time, His Autobiography.
'''Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman''' (born October 23 1924, Mysore, India) is an Indian cartoonist, illustrator and humorist. He is widely regarded as India's greatest-ever cartoonist and is best known for his creation ''The Common Man".
R. K. Laxman was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. He has won many awards for his cartoons, including Asia's top journalism award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, in 1984.
Finally all of R.K. laxman's writings in one anthology. For a long time his novels- Hotel Riveria and The Messenger have been out of print. This volume brings both his novels together with his autobiography. Hotel Riveria is a hilarious fictional account of his stay at hotel of same name. His own stay in Hotel Mirabel during his early days in Mumbai inspired the novel. The second novel is a delightful tale of young editor while working at The Messenger. This seems to have been inspired by his won experience while working at The Free Press journal. The autobiography is a quick glimpse through his early years in Mysore till his retirement from Times of India and settling down in Pune. Must read for all his followers.
This is an omnibus with 3 books - 2 novels and a memoir. The 4 rating is for the memoir, it is beautiful and laxman's voice on his own life is brilliant, taking us close to the likes of Bertrand Russell, Indira Gandhi and Bal Thackeray. As for the two novels, I can only say I am glad laxman stuck to cartoons and stayed away from writing.