The Vendor of Sweets by R.K Narayan || Book Review

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Plot: Jagan is a prosperous widower, sweet shop vendor, traditionalist, and a devoted follower of Gandhi who feels an absurdly embarrassing affection for his son Mali. His life is well until one day, out of the blue, Mali decides to leave college and Go to the US and become a writer. After a year and two, Mali returns to India with a Korean-American so-called wife and a grand business scheme. Jagan is utterly at sea. 

Writing

R.K Narayan’s stories are specifically known for his descriptions that make even the simplest of things, exceptional. It makes you live in the moment but sometimes the author tends to overdo it. 

Satire

I spot Narayan's wry wit in many places, especially in the ‘novel-writing machine-business scheme’ ( how foreign ideas of business affect the locals' growth) and in his memories with his late wife. 

Plot and characters:

The realism of the plot makes it believable and entertaining. The main good thing about this book is the complexity of its characters. We are introduced to many of them Jagan, who has many shades of meaning; Mali, mostly likely a spoiled son; Grace a modern woman who wants to serve as an ideal daughter-in-law

Drag me down 

With the over-description, repetition, and pace of the story, it was a bit of a drag down really. At first, it goes really slow and at last, it rushes to a conclusion. Apart from this, there is not much ending to the story unless you consider ‘My life is miserable therefore, I don't give f*ck about anyone 

A short, quiet read if you like this style.