UNDER THE BANYAN TREE And Other Stories

by R.K. Narayan ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1985

In this collection of 28 stories (three previously published in US magazines, the others from volumes never published here), the inhabitants of R.K. Narayan's imaginary South Indian city of Malgudi are, once again, in the midst of following all sorts of unexpected turns of Fate. Events may seem to signal that a character has been lucky enough to escape his fate--usually, though, the supposed escape turns out to be nothing more than a particularly ironic twist in the unfolding of a life. In ""The Roman Image,"" a young man who has been hired by an archeologist discovers a stone image in a river, and--briefly--the course of Indian history is altered, as is the young man, who becomes something of a celebrity. Inevitably, he is discredited by the truth about the image, and without comment, almost as if he'd expected it all along, he passes back into anonymity. In ""The Mute Companions,"" a beggar's life is briefly transformed by a clever performing monkey, who obtains the beggar entrance into a fine home--whereupon the monkey betrays him, sending the beggar back to ignominy. The young hero of ""The Evening Gift"" is hired to care for a rich drunkard--until the drunkard unjustly accuses him of stealing. The young man, bereft of income once again, returns to ""all the never-ending troubles of his family life."" And, in ""The Shelter,"" a husband and wife who have separated are suddenly reunited by what seems the magical gift of a rainstorm that forces them both to take shelter under the same tree. The husband's hopes soar--maybe they will be reconciled. But this is illusion: a few fleeting moments together will not alter reality. Throughout, Narayan's characters follow the vagaries of fortune: yesterday's disappointment fades while today's odd or amusing event takes shape before their eyes. And his theme of redemption through self-acceptance is echoed in the title story, ""Under the Banyan Tree,"" in which a master storyteller can think of no more stories to tell. He had considered himself special, superior to other people; now, his ""greatest story"" will be silence, and his acceptance of this limitation allows him to transcend the pain of mortality. All in all, stories about fate and redemption that are told with cleverness and wry humor--which make a refreshing change from a more familiar sort of reading fare.

Pub Date: July 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1985

Categories: FICTION