The Bachelor of Arts

By RK Narayan
Nelson publication

The Bachelor of Arts (1937) by RK Narayan is another masterpiece which I feel lucky to have read. RK Narayan is one of the few writers who truly represent India and Indian ethos in his writings. Characters in his books are real - they can be from any one of us. The places in his book (from much celebrated fictitious Malgudi) are for real - they can be from any state, in any part of India. This is why if you have to name one Indian author writing in English to your friends abroad, you can safely recommend RK Narayan. Also, after reading his books which were written decades ago, we get amazed that the soul of India in his books is still intact in the 21st century. Thanks God that we had brilliant writers like RK Narayan to capture it.

The Bachelor of Arts is the story of a young man and his journey through academics, social obligations, dilemmas, infatuations and learning. It is the story of a man who possessed Bachelor of Arts and the learning that life teaches him and takes him from fantasy to reality and maturity. The story is set in Malgudy. It is sheer pleasure to read any of the books of RK Narayan, including The Bachelor of Arts.

- Rahul