Swami and Friends was the first novel written by RK Narayan. I completed reading this novel yesterday.

It is part of a collection of 3 novels called A Malgudi Omnibus, others being Bachelor of Arts and The
English Teacher. I just started reading Bachelor of Arts. In this review, I will not give summary of the
story as it will spoil the thrill when one reads the novel.

As is the case with all Narayan works, this novel is also set in an imaginary town in South India called
Malgudi. Swaminathan is a young boy less than 10 years old. This novel narrates his experiences with his
parents, grandmother, friends, residents of Malgudi, and even his new-born brother when he is in
second class. However, Swami and his friends are the prime focus of this novel.

Swami is a quite different child than the present day children. He lives in a village and he is extremely
innocent which sometimes makes him look mischievous as well. His fate lands him in trouble in
whatever he does. He has his own perception of the world and tries to be the conqueror in spite of his
own shortcomings like fear, innocence, etc. Circumstances make him a mis-fit to any school in Malgudi.

On the other hand, his friend Rajam is a city-born child who acts beyond his age quite similar to the
present day children. He is very ambitious and courageous with least respect for the elders. His father is
a policeman which is also a reason for his courage. Apart from being very good in studies, he is very
adamant to achieve things which are beyond his reach and is not bothered by the consequences of his
present actions.

There is another friend of Swami called Mani who is a village version of courageous child. Even though
he is courageous, his innocence mostly overtakes that. He is very close to Swami and offers him lot of
advice even when not asked. He also carries a club which he feels will protect him in adverse situations.

The incidences which involve these three close friends form the crux of the novel. Swami has a strict
father, a kind grandmother, and a mother who loses interest in him once she gives birth to a new baby.
The novel is pretty slow to start with and provides every small detail which form the base for the fun
later. I will just provide some of the instances which I thoroughly enjoyed from this novel.

Ultimate fun awaits the reader in chapter 12. Swami and Mani listen to a freedom fighter's talk. The
freedom fighter blasts the English rulers very much. He tells that if all the people of India go and spit on
England, that is more than enough to submerge the whole England. I personally think it is quite true,
unless one disproves it by actually making millions spit on England. Swami also thinks it is true and asks
Mani if they can attempt that. Mani replies saying Europeans are very bad guys and they will shoot
them. This chapter progresses in such a manner and engages reader with non-stop fun.

Swami's encounters with the Board school headmaster is also equally enjoyable. The attitude of that
headmaster took me back to my school days when some of my teachers used to carry canes to beat
students and treat the students as their slaves. Swami becomes a super-hero when he grabs and throws
the cane away when the headmaster attempts to beat him. After that, his conscience makes him feel
sad and leads to other troubles.
Malgudi Cricket Club (M.C.C.) which is started by Swami and his friends took me back to my school days
when we also tried to start a cricket team called Danger Boys. The letter they write to Binns sports shop
in Madras and the other happenings are great to read.

On the whole, Swami and Friends is an amazing novel and I do not think I would be reading a better
novel ever. The novel took me to my school days and I could relate many of the Swami's experiences to
my own. This novel is an unadulterated and absolutely thorough portrayal of a child's life. It is rather
unfortunate that most of the present day children have their so called intelligence suppressing
innocence associated with their age.

Having said that, I am sure that one can find many children like Swami in Indian villages even today. This
novel is a must read for any one who want to roll back their years and enjoy the innocent moments of
their life.

review

I have to be very frank about why I ever picked up this book from the book store. First of all,
during one of my interviews for an MBA admission, I proudly told them that I read R.K.
Narayan’s books.
Their response seemed almost spontaneous, “Have you read Swami and
Friends?” I replied in the negative, at which point it almost seemed to be written on their faces
that they thought I was bluffing. That was my first ever real encounter with this title. Secondly,
while lazing away in the air-conditioned interiors of a bookstore in Chennai, my eyes came over
this little book, and the fact that it was comparatively cheap made me buy it. But I tell you that is
about all I remember, after that I was transported to Malgudi.

    The story is about a boy, Swaminathan. He lives with his parents, and most importantly his
Grandmother. His Grandmother, or Granny as he calls her, is his closest family member, willing
to hear him out at all times, will fight for his human right’s against his oppressor’s like his father.
And then comes his friends, of whom Mani and Rajam are the closest.

     The story takes us through Swami’s school life and the up’s and down’s of school time
friendship’s, and how he is carried away or affected by the Nationalist movement of the times.
The story culminates with the founding of the M.C.C. or the Malgudi Cricket Club, and Swami’s
role in the team which he regards could any day beat the rather clumsy club of Madras
Presidency someday. It would be wrong for me to reveal anything more, reading them in
Narayan’s own words is definitely more recommended.

     This is a must read for all reader’s, regardless of age. What will probably strike most readers
is the author’s amazing skills to paint the town of Malgudi and the story settings in their mind.
Though fictious, the description is only too real.    This is one of the classic trait’s of the
Narayan’s works. Another aspect of this book is the manner in which the author has described a
child’s mind, their way of thinking, and their view of the world around them.

      Friends, read this! If you don’t, you won’t know what you are missing. Happy reading.

P.S. If you are the money conscious reader (Like I am), I suggest you go for the publications by
Indian Thought Publications, Chennai. This print cost’s just Rs. 70.00 and is better compared to
the compilations that Penguin India is bringing out.