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The Vendor of Sweets
While the colourful sweetmeats are frying in the kitchen, Jagan immerses himself in his copy of the Bhagavad Gita. A widower of firm Gandhian principles, Jagan nonetheless harbours a warm and embarrassed affection for his wastrel son Mali. Yet even Jagan's patience begins to fray when Mali descends on the sleepy city of Malgudi full of modern notions, with a new half-American wife and a grand plan for selling novel-writing machines. From different generations and different cultures, father and son are forced to confront each other, and are taken by surprise . . .
214 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
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About the author
R.K. Narayan
143 books1,930 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 - 30 of 211 reviews
October 21, 2016
نص ممتع وآسر، غني بالتفاصيل. البيئة الهندية حاضرة بكل الجلال والجمال، صراع الأزمان والأجيال، الطبيعية المدهشة في الحوارات، رواية جديرة بالقراءة جدًا.
October 10, 2017
I happened to be reading this book while I was visiting the same house where RK Narayan penned his books. The Vendor of Sweets made me chuckle in a few places - there is the typical Narayan wry wit and the philosophical undertones that characterizes his work. An enjoyable read.
August 6, 2019
This is one of his dull and depressing works. Through out the plot, the vendor of sweets Jagan comes across as a weakling and coward afraid to confront any adverse situation. Rather he prefers to stealthily sneak away. This attitude of his's spoils his son Mali and ultimately emotionally forces him to go away from his own house. Jagan also frequently appears to be torn between choice of making money and leading an austere life. This confusion and his inability to address it exposes his duplicity.
February 10, 2017
تعرض الرواية بشكل رئيسي الفروق بين الأجيال في الفكر والرغبات ..
فالأب جاجان المتمسك بمبادئه و قواعده الخاصة و رؤيته لمستقبل ابنه التي تتعارض مع فكرة مالي الابن المدلل وتطلعه في أن يصبح كاتباً .
يترك مالي الجامعة ويتجه لأمريكا .. عائداً بفكر أكثر تعنتاً .. تاركاً معتقداته الهندوسية .. و يرى في أبيه شخصاً غير معاصر و مستهزئاً بعمله كبائع حلوى.
تتوالى الأحداث بين الأب المحافظ على أفكاره والابن صاحب المشاريع الذي يحاول إشراك والده فيها ، وابن العم الذي شكّل حلقة الوصل بينهما .
الرواية مليئة بالتفاصيل حول المجتمع الهندي والهندوسي بالتحديد ، تقع أحداثها في مدينة مالجودي وهي مدينة في جنوب الهند "التاميل " من صنع خيال الكاتب .
بشكل عام فالرواية جيدة ..
July 1, 2013
تنتمى هذه الرواية إلى الرواية العائلية فهى تشبه رواية القوس والفراشة لـ محمد الأشعرى لأننا فى الروايتين فى مواجهة بانوراما عائلية , اللغة فى هذه الرواية سلسة جداً على عكس رواية القوس والفراشة بالرغم من أن رواية القوس والفراش يظهر فيها ألقاً فى الأستعارات ورشاقة فى الأسلوب أكثر مما ظهر فى هذه الرواية, لكن كاتب هذه الرواية أمسك كل تفاصيلها بإحكام ورسم شخصياتها بدقة ولذلك أستمتعت بقرائتها حقاً
April 15, 2013
Written in the late 60s and probably set at about the same time (I don't know the history well enough to pinpoint: clues are the increasing use of private motorcars in provincial cities, the liquor prohibition laws which provide a pivotal plot point, a 60-year old who went to jail as a youth for civil disobedience as a follower of Ghandi and some sort of early computer).
The story is loosely about the old India versus the new. The son of the titular sweetshop proprietor goes off to America for a couple of years to become a writer and returns with a business scheme, a Korean-American woman to whom it scandalously turns out that he is not married, wearing suits and expressing a lot of impatience with his perception of India's backwardness. His father falls back on tradition and spirituality partly as a way to avoid conflict with his son, and reminisces fondly on his own arranged marriage in a couple of elegaic chapters.
The business scheme itself, hardly addressed, seems almost satire - perhaps Narayan intended some commentary on overseas businessmen coming into exploit local investors who are easily dazzled by talk of progress.
The story is loosely about the old India versus the new. The son of the titular sweetshop proprietor goes off to America for a couple of years to become a writer and returns with a business scheme, a Korean-American woman to whom it scandalously turns out that he is not married, wearing suits and expressing a lot of impatience with his perception of India's backwardness. His father falls back on tradition and spirituality partly as a way to avoid conflict with his son, and reminisces fondly on his own arranged marriage in a couple of elegaic chapters.
The business scheme itself, hardly addressed, seems almost satire - perhaps Narayan intended some commentary on overseas businessmen coming into exploit local investors who are easily dazzled by talk of progress.
October 1, 2013
Typical R K Narayan story.. sweet, simple centered in malgudi portraying the later age days of a genuine, selfless and satyagrahi turned sweet shop owner. His life is full of grief due to society and above all his own spoilt son. Narayan has beautifully portraid the helplessness of an indian father with his traditional values against his son returned from america with a girl and a lot of foolishness.
Enjoy to read and it is very sad but practical to understand the feelings of jagan, the shop owner against all odds.
Enjoy to read and it is very sad but practical to understand the feelings of jagan, the shop owner against all odds.
September 28, 2014
أول قراءة لي للروائي الهندي آر كي نارايان و ليست مشجعة أبدًا،فالرواية باهتة دون محفز يجعلك تواصل القراءة و تعالج الأحداث بسطحية خالية من العمق والتشويق ، في أحد أطياف المجتمع الهندي ( التاميل ) يكدح جاجان بائع الحلوى الذي يربي إبنه الوحيد مالي بعد وفاة والدته ، رتابة حياته أكثر ما في تفاصيلها أمانًا فالروتين زاده الهندي على ما يبدو و أي تغيير ولو طفيف سيكون بمثابة إشعاع روحاني سلبي وشرير يحاول غزو رتابته ، وهذا ما يهدد حياته الآمنة فولده الذي نشأ بينهما حاجز الصمت الذي جعلهما أغراب في بيت واحد كان يصبو لتغيير حياته ناقمًا على مجتمعه المتخلف كما يصفه ، جاجان من وجهة نظر ولده مالي رجل غير معاصر غير جدير حتى بالنقاش معه .. من طراز لحوح يربك علاقتهما الشائكة في مهدها ويجعلها طاعنة في السن .. علاقة خرِفة تفقد عناصر تركيزها ،، يقابل جاجان رغبة ولده بترك الدراسة بخوف من إحتدام النقاش قبل الخوض به حتى و ينصاع لرغباته كارهًا و الولد بدوره يترفع عن تبادل أي معلومات شخصية مع الأب جاجان ، يلجأ جاجان لأبن العم وهو همزة الوصل بينهما.. رجلٌ حوله علامة إستفهام هندية كبيرة ، مواصفاته غير مترابطة (ثابت المواعيد وعاشق للحلوى التي يصنعها جاجان و ينتزع بفجاجة من الأب دوره في إدارة شؤون حياة ولده فهو خازن أسرار مالي ويهيل التراب على علاقتهما نائحًا وهو من قضى عليها ) العلاقة بين الأب والأبن طبيعية رغم حديّة الأب جاجان في التعامل وتطرفه في الخوف على مستقبل مالي أحياناً، مالي يطمح ليكون كاتباً فلا يتورع عن طموحه حتى لو كانت القطيعة مع أبيه و المجتمع الذي يحكم السخط علاقتهما ، أمثال مالي يعودون دومًا بأيدي خالية فمحنتهم مع ذاتهم البسيطة لا يحلها التحدي مع محيطهم ، تتراكم المشاريع في عقل مالي دون تطور فيغدو عكس ما طمح له والده ، جاجان المتمسك بمبادئ المهاتما غاندي بروحه المهتمة وكبرياؤه الوطني و حرصه على التقاليد تغذى على الأمل ولكن أمله الهندي جاء متنكرًا لأصله .
لم يصلني المووود الهندي الذي يثير استغرابي من تقاليد حياتهم وخرجت معقودة الحاجبين من خوضي للتجربة .. فالقرية الهندية بقت تطفو دون تأثير في ذاكرتي وجدتها تخفي رأسها كالنعامة في مواجهة تقاليدها بدل الإفتخار بها وحتى درس النهاية جاء غير مباشر في تأثيره ..
نقطتان و نصف لأن النص إحترم إمكانياته و ابتعد عن العجرفة (;
December 2, 2015
If you're an Indian, you can't have grown up without knowing R. K. Narayan. He's the man behind Malgudi - the place I like to think of as the universal village.
Seldom has a world been so self-contained as Malgudi is, and once you've come across it, you'll know at once that it's everywhere. Malgudi is every village in the world - the people, the mindset, the things you see, the perceptions of the world outside. For every story by Narayanan, you can draw a parallel to your own life, even in the twenty-first century.
His writing style is another reason to adore him. The narration is simple and straightforward, never flowery, but never lacking in anything. Much like Malgudi itself, his writing is factual and whole while never ascribing to anything superior. He might describe a scene in plain words, but that lends an authenticity to it. It reminds you of sitting on a porch at five in the evening, drinking tea and listening to your grandfather tell tales of his childhood. At the same time, he pokes gentle fun at the people of Malgudi (and the people of the world) in his dry way.
Now for the actual story. Jagan, the titular character, is a widower who owns a sweet shop. His greatest joys in life are the Bhagavad Gita, Gandhiji's teachings and his son. It's the latter of the three that is the main source of his trouble, and you'll see why. It's a wonderful book, equal parts amusing and thought-provoking.
Four out of five stars :)
Seldom has a world been so self-contained as Malgudi is, and once you've come across it, you'll know at once that it's everywhere. Malgudi is every village in the world - the people, the mindset, the things you see, the perceptions of the world outside. For every story by Narayanan, you can draw a parallel to your own life, even in the twenty-first century.
His writing style is another reason to adore him. The narration is simple and straightforward, never flowery, but never lacking in anything. Much like Malgudi itself, his writing is factual and whole while never ascribing to anything superior. He might describe a scene in plain words, but that lends an authenticity to it. It reminds you of sitting on a porch at five in the evening, drinking tea and listening to your grandfather tell tales of his childhood. At the same time, he pokes gentle fun at the people of Malgudi (and the people of the world) in his dry way.
Now for the actual story. Jagan, the titular character, is a widower who owns a sweet shop. His greatest joys in life are the Bhagavad Gita, Gandhiji's teachings and his son. It's the latter of the three that is the main source of his trouble, and you'll see why. It's a wonderful book, equal parts amusing and thought-provoking.
Four out of five stars :)
July 8, 2019
Jagan es un exitoso vendedor de dulces que vive bajo las enseñanzas de Gandhi mientras que su hijo Mali es un “hombre de mundo”, un hombre que nunca ha tenido que lograr algo por esfuerzo propio y que está decidido a vivir a costa de su padre.
El libro nos enseña mucho sobre la cultura y tradiciones de la India. A mí me ha dejado con ganas de saber más.
En cuanto a la historia tiene un buen mensaje: dejad que los hijos se hagan responsables de sus cosas y su vida.
“ Una dosis de vida carcelaria no la hace mal a nadie. Puede ser Justo lo que el chico necesita.”
El libro nos enseña mucho sobre la cultura y tradiciones de la India. A mí me ha dejado con ganas de saber más.
En cuanto a la historia tiene un buen mensaje: dejad que los hijos se hagan responsables de sus cosas y su vida.
“ Una dosis de vida carcelaria no la hace mal a nadie. Puede ser Justo lo que el chico necesita.”
December 7, 2014
Thus I conclude that if one wants to live many lives or many places, one must read books; more and more of them. But I adore the memory of that little self sufficient town with lives so simple yet characters so complex in each other’s company. The monotony I never admired is interesting when I read the lives of Malgudi. There is no day distinctive from the other in Malgudi, yet there is much to graze as the prying of private lives will never come to a stop.
I have been browsing much simpler words to describe how it feels to read Narayan’s and live the spirit of the typical Malgudi. Our fascination is satiated by the immaculately written story-line with innocent, childlike characters playing their role naturally, more like reveling them. ‘Primitive’ is the word, very accurate indeed.
The narration is simple, conceivable and humorous. Humorous here means little snigger here and there when we associate ourselves with the character at that situation, as one would act out of ignorance and realizes later of it all and chuckles. How the protagonists slips into a by-lane of childhood (good old days, as one may call) and into his youth is enjoy to read, but provides very little relevance to the story we dwell in. There seems to be a repetition of relations in his books. The father son relation is the most noticeable one. A son who would not comprehend his father’s sentiments and views is too much of a problem.
I loved Jagan, for he takes quicker decisions and ponder over them later questioningly. He trusts his obsequious accomplices easily and will blindly fall for their flattery. Yet he cannot be wholly controlled as still he allows a doubt to dwell in his mind against you.
Narayan writes – “Do you realize how few ever really understand how fortunate they are in their circumstances?”
And “Certain things acquired an evil complexion if phrased, but remained harmless in the mind.”
We read books for these simple solutions to complex problems of life. I love it.
I have been browsing much simpler words to describe how it feels to read Narayan’s and live the spirit of the typical Malgudi. Our fascination is satiated by the immaculately written story-line with innocent, childlike characters playing their role naturally, more like reveling them. ‘Primitive’ is the word, very accurate indeed.
The narration is simple, conceivable and humorous. Humorous here means little snigger here and there when we associate ourselves with the character at that situation, as one would act out of ignorance and realizes later of it all and chuckles. How the protagonists slips into a by-lane of childhood (good old days, as one may call) and into his youth is enjoy to read, but provides very little relevance to the story we dwell in. There seems to be a repetition of relations in his books. The father son relation is the most noticeable one. A son who would not comprehend his father’s sentiments and views is too much of a problem.
I loved Jagan, for he takes quicker decisions and ponder over them later questioningly. He trusts his obsequious accomplices easily and will blindly fall for their flattery. Yet he cannot be wholly controlled as still he allows a doubt to dwell in his mind against you.
Narayan writes – “Do you realize how few ever really understand how fortunate they are in their circumstances?”
And “Certain things acquired an evil complexion if phrased, but remained harmless in the mind.”
We read books for these simple solutions to complex problems of life. I love it.
October 28, 2013
Yet another very well written story my the great man where he brings out the much seen and debated East-West conflict between two generations of an Indian family. It is the conflict between a genuine Indian or Eastern father and his Western-bred son. RK was way ahead of time when he highlighted this issue which we started hearing a lot much later.
Going abroad for studies is still a big thing in India so we can easily understand the enormity of the event in our Malgudi town! Every single letter was celebrated and it was narrated to the entire town so by the end of the year almost entire Malgudi knew every single thing about the unseen distant country :-)
RK has a very special way of making the readers connect to all the chracters, a sense of overpowering intimacy is established in every single story that I have read and that is how the characters become intimate personalities as the story progresses. You start feeling/living the emotions of the father here by the last chapter and that is what makes him a master story teller.
Going abroad for studies is still a big thing in India so we can easily understand the enormity of the event in our Malgudi town! Every single letter was celebrated and it was narrated to the entire town so by the end of the year almost entire Malgudi knew every single thing about the unseen distant country :-)
RK has a very special way of making the readers connect to all the chracters, a sense of overpowering intimacy is established in every single story that I have read and that is how the characters become intimate personalities as the story progresses. You start feeling/living the emotions of the father here by the last chapter and that is what makes him a master story teller.
July 3, 2011
I find it hard to review this book, or even to pin down what I liked so much about it. Mostly, I think I enjoyed the window into a life with very different touchstones and sign posts from my own.
The main character is (perhaps not surprisingly) a person who owns a store that makes and sells candy in the Indian village where he lives and grew up. We gradually get to know him and the world as seen by him. The people who work in his shop, his son (whose point of view would probably be more familiar to me -- which makes it even more wonderful that we don't see the world through his eyes), and a lot of wonderful characters like a man who claims to be related to everybody and seems to mostly go around talking with people all day and mooching off of them (although in a wonderful, relaxed way).
Really enjoyable.
The main character is (perhaps not surprisingly) a person who owns a store that makes and sells candy in the Indian village where he lives and grew up. We gradually get to know him and the world as seen by him. The people who work in his shop, his son (whose point of view would probably be more familiar to me -- which makes it even more wonderful that we don't see the world through his eyes), and a lot of wonderful characters like a man who claims to be related to everybody and seems to mostly go around talking with people all day and mooching off of them (although in a wonderful, relaxed way).
Really enjoyable.
September 20, 2020
I have had this book on my TBR for 4 YEARS! Something told me to grab a copy and as usual I always follow my gut when this happens. I am so glad I did.
I enjoyed the relationships formed, the narrative was captured perfectly alongside that I just love Indian sweets. My mouth was watering at times.
Jagan is my favourite character although everyone was likeable. I will be reading more of his work very soon. Completely hooked.
Initially rated 4 stars but changed to 5.
If you're looking for a short story by a diverse author with a hint of Indian culture/history he is the author I would recommend.
I enjoyed the relationships formed, the narrative was captured perfectly alongside that I just love Indian sweets. My mouth was watering at times.
Jagan is my favourite character although everyone was likeable. I will be reading more of his work very soon. Completely hooked.
Initially rated 4 stars but changed to 5.
If you're looking for a short story by a diverse author with a hint of Indian culture/history he is the author I would recommend.
February 3, 2022
Part of the 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘨𝘶𝘥𝘪 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 series, it's a splendid narration of a sexagenarian bounded by the humdrum of his job and the anxious relationship he shares with his son. Keeping in sync with R.K Narayan's style of incorporating colour symbolism, the book takes us through a typical Malgudi journey, of how the lead character, Jagan, being a staunch Gandhian, maneuvers through the emotions of fatherly love, dejection from the hostile behaviour of his son through years together, his role as an honest owner as well as employer of a sweet shop and finally the call for renounce from wordly 'pleasures'. A beautiful read with the everlasting touch of Malgudi.
May 27, 2023
A look into the life of a devout Indian widower and his son who wants to become a writer.
October 19, 2024
رواية جميلة عن المتجمع الهندى
Read
May 10, 2023Hmm I definitely hate Mali and I don't really like Jagan and Grace either.
I feel mad at Jagan for raising Mali like that and sorry for him at the same time.
"He was a cowardly father, he felt afraid to mention class or college. The boy might scream and kick away his breakfast."
I feel mad at Jagan for raising Mali like that and sorry for him at the same time.
November 29, 2017
Brilliant. loved it.
Another great story by R.K. Narayan. A simple and humorous. I liked the way the characters are sketched and presented and the smooth flow of the story.
Another great story by R.K. Narayan. A simple and humorous. I liked the way the characters are sketched and presented and the smooth flow of the story.
February 7, 2019
one of the greatest works of RK Narayan .
April 14, 2019
قصة بائع الحلوى الهندي التقليدي اللذي يعيش ويعاني دخول العصر الحديث اللذي لا يفهمه. قصة جميلة ومؤثرة.
August 5, 2020
I've officially fallen in love with R K Narayan's writing!
The Vendor of Sweets is a gorgeously written book set in a fictional town in Tamil Nadu called Malgudi. It follows Jagan, a sweet vendor, as he learns to deal with his son who is a drastically different person.
I was first introduced to R K Narayan's writing when I had to study one of his short stories for my A-Levels. Like all school prescribed reading, I definitely didn't appreciate it when I was younger. Now that I am older I can truly admire and love his prose 😍 The happenings of this book are also incredibly relatable (even though set decades in the past) since I'm Tamil. I could literally visualize everything he was describing and it was an incredible feeling I've never felt before while reading 😭
As someone who doesn't read a lot of Indian literature, I was stunned at how much I love this. Usually, it's hard for me to get into Indian writing. But this experience has opened up so many reading opportunities for me and I'm so so so excited! 🥳
The Vendor of Sweets is a gorgeously written book set in a fictional town in Tamil Nadu called Malgudi. It follows Jagan, a sweet vendor, as he learns to deal with his son who is a drastically different person.
I was first introduced to R K Narayan's writing when I had to study one of his short stories for my A-Levels. Like all school prescribed reading, I definitely didn't appreciate it when I was younger. Now that I am older I can truly admire and love his prose 😍 The happenings of this book are also incredibly relatable (even though set decades in the past) since I'm Tamil. I could literally visualize everything he was describing and it was an incredible feeling I've never felt before while reading 😭
As someone who doesn't read a lot of Indian literature, I was stunned at how much I love this. Usually, it's hard for me to get into Indian writing. But this experience has opened up so many reading opportunities for me and I'm so so so excited! 🥳
July 22, 2020
Well this one certainly topped my expectations. The unfolding of the depth and well, the confusions, of the protagonist really made it an enjoyable read.
October 1, 2024
The fact this book only has an average rating of 3.75 is dumb, lovely little book.
December 26, 2011
Secretly, Jagan’s mind was bothered as to why there was always an invisible barrier between him and his son. He had never been harsh to the boy. Yet, reading a sense into the boy’s actions was fatiguing, like the attempt to spell out a message in a half familiar script!
R.K. Narayan :
Every Indian is well acquainted with the portrayals of South Indian primitive village life by the great author R.K.Narayan, the creator of the fictional yet famous Malgudi.
His articles, fictional stories, retold epics and non-fictional work are pleasures for every reader, young or old. ‘Swami and Friends’ and
Delete Photo ‘Malgudi days’ are his best known and widely read books even today.
‘The Vendor of Sweets’ is a delicious story by him and stands next after ‘Swami and Friends’ on my list of favourite books by R.K.N. It illustrates the communication and generation gap between a simple businessman and his ambitious son.
Story :
Jagan , a 55 year old sweets vendor, is an honest, hardworking and humble resident of Malgudi. He is a staunch believer in Gandhian ideologies of simple living. Despite owning a sweetmeat shop, he himself eats food without salt/sugar. His only son Mali is the apple of his eye. Jagan lost his wife when Mali was a little boy and ever since, has tried his best to keep his son happy and fulfill all his little desires. But the nervous father is faced with awkwardness and embarrassment while communicating with his teenage son. The Gandhian ideologies don’t seem to go well with the young blood. On the other hand, the sky-high ambitions of the son are beyond understanding of the father.
One fine day, Jagan is shocked to know that Mali is no more interested in studying and wants to start story-writing after quitting B.A. in college half way.
A glimpse of the awkward communication between father and son is:
Father: What are you writing now?
Son: A novel
Father: Oh wonderful! Where did you learn to write novels?
Son: Are you examining me?
Father: Oh no, I’m just interested, that’s all. What story are you writing?
Son: I can’t tell you now. It may turn out to be a poem after all. I don’t know.
Father: But don’t you know what you are going to write when you sit down to write?
Son: No! It’s not like frying sweets in your shop.
Jagan’s life is further thrown into turmoil when Mali expresses his desire to go to America to learn story- writing. Jagan is aghast that one should cross seven seas to learn the art of story-telling when any village granny should serve the purpose well! As usual, he lacks courage to confront his son on any matter and Mali eventually leaves for America. He periodically sends letters back home and Jagan’s initial bewilderment transforms into ecstasy and pride for his American son. His pride is short-lived and turns into embarrassment, since Mali returns after 3 years, a married man! His wife is an American cum Korean girl. Now, out of his story-writing mania, Mali expresses his desire to open a story-writing machine factory. However, as any other father would desire, Jagan wants his son to take up his sweets shop. This adds up to Mali’s disgust and frustration!
How will Jagan free himself from the coils of this complicated situation? How will Jagan understand his new daughter-in-law when his own son is beyond comprehension? Will the invisible barrier between father and son be prevalent for life?
My opinion:
Jagan’s character has been wonderfully portrayed and seems straight out of real life. The narrative is simple, humourous and depicts the South Indian life with utmost detail. The protagonist’s authoritative tone with his shop workers and cooks contrasts with his helplessness while dealing with his own son. A single parent’s tribulations and challenges while bringing up a son has been handled delicately, yet satirically such that there is no room for boredom throughout the book.
Initially, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and hurried. But, on later thought looking at it from Jagan’s point of view, realized that it is most apt ending to the story!
The story itself is quite short, but there are many irrelevant side-tracks that contribute to lengthening the number of pages. A few of such incidents are Jagan diving into his reminiscences of childhood, interesting episodes of his youth, his freedom struggle as a Gandhi follower, etc. Although these do not provide much value to the main story narrative, they succeed in adding a new flavour to make the story ‘tastier’. I read out a couple of these episodes to my grandpa who thoroughly enjoyed it! This one’s definitely recommended for lovers of light fiction.
R.K. Narayan :
Every Indian is well acquainted with the portrayals of South Indian primitive village life by the great author R.K.Narayan, the creator of the fictional yet famous Malgudi.
His articles, fictional stories, retold epics and non-fictional work are pleasures for every reader, young or old. ‘Swami and Friends’ and
Delete Photo ‘Malgudi days’ are his best known and widely read books even today.
‘The Vendor of Sweets’ is a delicious story by him and stands next after ‘Swami and Friends’ on my list of favourite books by R.K.N. It illustrates the communication and generation gap between a simple businessman and his ambitious son.
Story :
Jagan , a 55 year old sweets vendor, is an honest, hardworking and humble resident of Malgudi. He is a staunch believer in Gandhian ideologies of simple living. Despite owning a sweetmeat shop, he himself eats food without salt/sugar. His only son Mali is the apple of his eye. Jagan lost his wife when Mali was a little boy and ever since, has tried his best to keep his son happy and fulfill all his little desires. But the nervous father is faced with awkwardness and embarrassment while communicating with his teenage son. The Gandhian ideologies don’t seem to go well with the young blood. On the other hand, the sky-high ambitions of the son are beyond understanding of the father.
One fine day, Jagan is shocked to know that Mali is no more interested in studying and wants to start story-writing after quitting B.A. in college half way.
A glimpse of the awkward communication between father and son is:
Father: What are you writing now?
Son: A novel
Father: Oh wonderful! Where did you learn to write novels?
Son: Are you examining me?
Father: Oh no, I’m just interested, that’s all. What story are you writing?
Son: I can’t tell you now. It may turn out to be a poem after all. I don’t know.
Father: But don’t you know what you are going to write when you sit down to write?
Son: No! It’s not like frying sweets in your shop.
Jagan’s life is further thrown into turmoil when Mali expresses his desire to go to America to learn story- writing. Jagan is aghast that one should cross seven seas to learn the art of story-telling when any village granny should serve the purpose well! As usual, he lacks courage to confront his son on any matter and Mali eventually leaves for America. He periodically sends letters back home and Jagan’s initial bewilderment transforms into ecstasy and pride for his American son. His pride is short-lived and turns into embarrassment, since Mali returns after 3 years, a married man! His wife is an American cum Korean girl. Now, out of his story-writing mania, Mali expresses his desire to open a story-writing machine factory. However, as any other father would desire, Jagan wants his son to take up his sweets shop. This adds up to Mali’s disgust and frustration!
How will Jagan free himself from the coils of this complicated situation? How will Jagan understand his new daughter-in-law when his own son is beyond comprehension? Will the invisible barrier between father and son be prevalent for life?
My opinion:
Jagan’s character has been wonderfully portrayed and seems straight out of real life. The narrative is simple, humourous and depicts the South Indian life with utmost detail. The protagonist’s authoritative tone with his shop workers and cooks contrasts with his helplessness while dealing with his own son. A single parent’s tribulations and challenges while bringing up a son has been handled delicately, yet satirically such that there is no room for boredom throughout the book.
Initially, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and hurried. But, on later thought looking at it from Jagan’s point of view, realized that it is most apt ending to the story!
The story itself is quite short, but there are many irrelevant side-tracks that contribute to lengthening the number of pages. A few of such incidents are Jagan diving into his reminiscences of childhood, interesting episodes of his youth, his freedom struggle as a Gandhi follower, etc. Although these do not provide much value to the main story narrative, they succeed in adding a new flavour to make the story ‘tastier’. I read out a couple of these episodes to my grandpa who thoroughly enjoyed it! This one’s definitely recommended for lovers of light fiction.
August 8, 2018
The Entire story runs with Jagan as the protagonist.
Jagan in the vendor of sweets, a man who is respected across the town of Malgudi. The store is very well run raking in profits but Jagan is a pure Gandhian in a lot of aspects and his entire life has revolved around principles, the ones he has learnt from Gandhi and then his favourite book "Bhagvad Gita". His most favourite person to talk to is "the cousin" who listens to him and always visits the shop of sweets daily.
Mali is Jagan's only son, Mali has a rather difficult childhood with Jagan losing his wife quite early, when Mali was just a small kid. There seems to be always a barrier in the lives of these men after that, although Jagan tries in vain to understand the thoughts of his son, which happen only through the "Cousin". Mali stops his education and goes away to America to become a writer, brings home a daughter-in-law Grace, who is a foriegner and starts to ask Jagan for money to start his own business of a story writing machine that he wants to expand all over Malgudi.
All through the book, Jagan is shown in the light of a good man, who makes a decent profit, does everything for his son but never understands him. The rift, the barrier, the angst and the pull of a single father in bringing up a son on his own is meticulously detailed - It is here that R K Narayan is a master of story telling.
Now, who would think of story writing machines, with knobs to a plot, characters and the theme.
In the near future that may be a possibility too. But in the town of Malgudi, the clash between the ideologies is too deftly portrayed.
The style hits home, you can feel every emotion that the character feels, it is so close to you that you tend to associate the character with yourself. That is a trait of R.K. Narayan; one of the best storytellers of India pulls of with such ease.
Be it the monologue or the dialogues or the on goings that reflect in the subtext of the story. One of the best portrayal is when Jagan recounts the events of his marriage and the events that lead to the birth of Mali.
It is definitely a book that has a hang over that can last decades.
I highly recommend you to read this book.
Jagan in the vendor of sweets, a man who is respected across the town of Malgudi. The store is very well run raking in profits but Jagan is a pure Gandhian in a lot of aspects and his entire life has revolved around principles, the ones he has learnt from Gandhi and then his favourite book "Bhagvad Gita". His most favourite person to talk to is "the cousin" who listens to him and always visits the shop of sweets daily.
Mali is Jagan's only son, Mali has a rather difficult childhood with Jagan losing his wife quite early, when Mali was just a small kid. There seems to be always a barrier in the lives of these men after that, although Jagan tries in vain to understand the thoughts of his son, which happen only through the "Cousin". Mali stops his education and goes away to America to become a writer, brings home a daughter-in-law Grace, who is a foriegner and starts to ask Jagan for money to start his own business of a story writing machine that he wants to expand all over Malgudi.
All through the book, Jagan is shown in the light of a good man, who makes a decent profit, does everything for his son but never understands him. The rift, the barrier, the angst and the pull of a single father in bringing up a son on his own is meticulously detailed - It is here that R K Narayan is a master of story telling.
Now, who would think of story writing machines, with knobs to a plot, characters and the theme.
In the near future that may be a possibility too. But in the town of Malgudi, the clash between the ideologies is too deftly portrayed.
The style hits home, you can feel every emotion that the character feels, it is so close to you that you tend to associate the character with yourself. That is a trait of R.K. Narayan; one of the best storytellers of India pulls of with such ease.
Be it the monologue or the dialogues or the on goings that reflect in the subtext of the story. One of the best portrayal is when Jagan recounts the events of his marriage and the events that lead to the birth of Mali.
It is definitely a book that has a hang over that can last decades.
I highly recommend you to read this book.
October 5, 2020
For some reason, I've preferred reading Japanese novels to Indian ones due to, probably, the question of availability. Sometime after my college years since the early 70's I found it a bit tough to find good, readable Indian authors to start with while there were numerous Japanese ones with their fine English translations in some good bookstores in Bangkok including the two secondhand bookshops, the Dasa BookCafe on the Sukhumvit Road and the Booklovers on the Rambutri Road in Banglampoo, I usually visit.
As for Narayan newcomers, please visit this site to gain familiarity. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._K._N...) This would guide the reader to know him more on his life and fame as one of the pioneering Indian writers whose published novels in English have long established their famous Indian fiction genre to the world to see and read.
The reader who enjoys reading his stories couldn't help admiring his narratives, dialogues, sense of humour, etc. written from local Indian settings especially in his fictional small town called Malgudi (I wonder if it's a city as mentioned in its synopsis below; the information in his Wikipedia biography confirms my belief.) Moreover, its following extracted synopsis should be divulged as the essential background for our 13-chapter literary exploration once again.
To continue . . .
As for Narayan newcomers, please visit this site to gain familiarity. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._K._N...) This would guide the reader to know him more on his life and fame as one of the pioneering Indian writers whose published novels in English have long established their famous Indian fiction genre to the world to see and read.
The reader who enjoys reading his stories couldn't help admiring his narratives, dialogues, sense of humour, etc. written from local Indian settings especially in his fictional small town called Malgudi (I wonder if it's a city as mentioned in its synopsis below; the information in his Wikipedia biography confirms my belief.) Moreover, its following extracted synopsis should be divulged as the essential background for our 13-chapter literary exploration once again.
While the colorful sweetmeats are frying in the kitchen, Javan immerses himself in his copy of Bhagavad Gita. A widower of firm Gandhian principles, Javan none the less harbours a warm and embarrassed affection for his wastrel son Mali.
Yet even Jagan's patience to fray when Mali descends on the sleepy city of Malgudi full of modern notions, with a new half-American wife and a grand plan for selling novel-writing machines. From different generations and different cultures, father and son are forced to confront each other, and are taken by surprise . . . (back cover)
To continue . . .
January 12, 2014
One of the best classics EVER. It's rich with Indian culture and family traditions versus the modern man's world. Jagan, the 'vendor of sweets', is an old man running the business of making and selling sweets. He is a man devoted to Bhagavad Gita (an ancient Indian scripture 'song of God'), and is a keen follower and supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, which shaped his young adulthood life into a short prison term during the 40s Ghandi movement. Jagan has unconditional love for his son Mali, who eventually proved to be a spoiled brat when he grows up. Mali has plans to go overseas and isn't always on agreeable terms with Jagan.. So when Mali came back from America with big plans, bringing with him a half American wife, Jagan starts to freak out!
The story excels on this frustrating relationship between a parent and child. What amused me most is how Jagan is able to strike warm-hearted humour to make light of the hullabaloo. I enjoy Jagan's character so much even in times when he's just a confused old man. Jagan also shows brilliant character progression towards his goal of self-actualization (eg 'conquer taste, and you will have conquered the self') without leaving an important human aspect of being vulnerable, where numerous times he can be seen as naive and ignorant. As for the ending it was perfectly bitter-sweet, which again, Jagan leaves the reader in good humour.
Would I ever read it again? BIG YES
The story excels on this frustrating relationship between a parent and child. What amused me most is how Jagan is able to strike warm-hearted humour to make light of the hullabaloo. I enjoy Jagan's character so much even in times when he's just a confused old man. Jagan also shows brilliant character progression towards his goal of self-actualization (eg 'conquer taste, and you will have conquered the self') without leaving an important human aspect of being vulnerable, where numerous times he can be seen as naive and ignorant. As for the ending it was perfectly bitter-sweet, which again, Jagan leaves the reader in good humour.
Would I ever read it again? BIG YES
June 19, 2023
I read R.K. Narayan books just for pleasure. He always writes about the characters surrounding our lives and makes them interesting. His simple language makes me feel related to the characters and their lives. The Vendor of Sweets is a story about change and the conflicts the change can bring. The main characters are Jagan and his only son, Mali. Jagan is a 55-year-old sweetmeat vendor, a successful businessman, and an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He is an honest, hardworking, and humble person. On the other hand, his son, Mali, is an educated and ambitious young man who is spoilt and always complaining. He thinks his country is stuck by old-age traditions and is undeveloped in compared to western countries. In The Vendor of Sweets, R.K. Narayan beautifully captures the generation gap, traditions, and changing times in his simple narrative style.
July 11, 2017
R.k. Narayan is famous for his Malgudi Days and I especially liked his Swami and Friends which was written in a very simple manner suitable for children book. But, after reading this novel, Narayan’s maturity in handling sensitive issues comes into picture. He is one of the most reliable writers, who can be expected to give a beautiful treatment to a common but seldom touched upon subject. Here, the theme is generation gap and Narayan in his own way, explore it humanely. Read more about it on http://scribblesofsoul.com/the-vendor...
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