Again, the story is based on the character from Malgudi, Jagan, a confectioner, but for a change it touches on the subject of the relationship between aging parents and modern children - and this was first published in 1967. It cannot be ruled out that Narayan may have just learnt of Hippie life and free love, being in fashion back then in the U.S.A. For, here he touches the subject of free love, in a fashion that could be imagined from an Indian perspective, by way of Mali - Jagan's son - who goes to the U.S.A. to realise him ambition.
The novel, which unfolds on the twin story lines - one that of the strained relationship between the father and the son, and the other of life in Malgudi for the confectioner - takes a twist a little more than two thirds of the book. As Jagan reminisces on his past love life, the narration goes to a long tale. The novel in effect is more than just a story of a spoiled son and his naive, old fashioned, stubborn father from here on. Essentially the novel takes a subtle existential bent as Jagan takes some big decisions as he steps into his sexagenarian years. While the subtle philosophical bent is appreciable, it cannot be denied that details of the customs and the thought patterns of rural life are the major attractions of this book. The details of Jagan's time with his wife, and the role that a South Indian wife is expected to play is presented, realistically here.
It cannot be denied that the book ends with a less than optimal ending - leaving the story open ended. This is a relative disappointment of the novel, while it suggests a more philosophical ending too.
The characters in the book are fairly well composed especially that of the protagonist, Jagan. The irony of his behaviour, the somewhat harmless hypocrisy and mule like defiance when challenged in a corner paints a vivid real life like character, and this character is the central focus of the novel. All other characters live around it, and while the completeness of these other characters is less than that of Jagan, they have been developed adequately to make the novel a success.
In essence this novel has many a charm for the reader with its immersed argumentative globs on such a variety of subjects - East vs. West; Father-Son relationship; rural communal living; strait jacketed behaviour of the older generation; lack of respect for those more knowledgeable about life than youth, deception by religious belief to name a few. These keeps the reader glued to the book, as does Narayan's simple writing style.
I read the book as it is part of the school syllabus for English Literature and I may be called upon to help out my son on the subject, in the coming days. But within the few pages, I became a virtual resident of Malgudi once again, and it only Jagan's reminisces of a love that was ( breaking the flow, as it were ) that made me end my virtual stay. Recommended for anyone who has enjoyed the Malgudi experience.
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