R.K. Narayan Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

R.K. Narayan was an Indian novelist who wrote in English. He was born in Madras, South India on October 10, 1906, and passed away on May 13, 2001.

He attended Maharaja’s College in Mysore. His first novel to come out was Swami and Friends and was followed by The Bachelor of Arts. Both books are set in the fictional territory of Malgudi. They are two of twelve novels that he based there. His writing The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literacy Academy in 1958.

On top of his novels, he has come out with five collections of short stories, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and more. In 1980, he was given the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature. In 1982, he became an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

The majority of his work captures Indian traits while maintaining its own unique identity. He has been compared to William Faulkner. He lived until the age of 94 years old and wrote for over fifty years, having his work published until he was 87.

Swami and Friends is the first book in the Malgudi series by R.K. Narayan. This is a 1935 story that you will definitely want to check out if you love a good classic book and want something a little different to read than the same old story.

This author offers unique insight into the complex nature of things that make up middle class society in India. He follows along with life in Malgudi, a fictional time. This is a look at a difficult marriage as well as a woman who ends up rebelling against the demands being placed upon her that she be an obedient, good wife, as detailed in The Dark Room.

Then in Mr. Sampath, a newspaper man does what he can to try and keep his paper going while dealing with social and economic changes that are moving across India. He writes of being young and being young adults in Swami and Friends, giving readers a universal view of childhood, early love, and grief. Check out this book that is among others that Amit Roy says ‘are the best I have read in any language for a long time’.

The Bachelor of Arts is the second book in the Malgudi series by R.K. Narayan. If you have read the first book in this series and really liked it, get more of this author’s literary charm by getting the second book in this series and keeping the adventures going.

Chandran is a popular student of a good nature. He’s dreamy and has his head up in the clouds. He has been working hard to try and pass his exams. He has just graduated and does not know how he wants to spend his time in the future.

One evening he is walking by the river when he glimpses Malathi. She’s a gorgeous young girl who is wearing a beautiful green sari. The radiant garment looks gorgeous on her. It feels like love at first sight but so often the course of love does not end up running in a smooth way.

Not everything is going good in Chandran’s horoscope. While some customs are able to be forgotten, others must be observed on a stricter basis. These may end up being the customs that cause Chandran to temporarily turn his back on the Malgudi all together. What will happen in the end and can Chandran get what he wants? Read The Bachelor of Arts by R.K. Narayan to find out!