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Rating: 
Summary: Bright and breezy
Review: A short novel, telling of the character Chandran at the time of his graduation and then his experiences as he takes his first steps into the "real world".I thought that this was a very light, readable novel, filled with good humour. Narayan takes a wry look at some Indian customs - the use of horoscopes to assess the compatability of potential marriage partners, and the almost automatic reverence given to sanyasi, for example. Not a book with tremendous satirical bite - it's too amiable for that - although serious points are made about India in the latter days of the Raj. Overall, though, an enjoyable and easy read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Literary Classic
Review: All Of R K Narayans Works are Gems in World Of Literature,his works are of the days when Simplicity was the philosophy of Life,Non Complicated characters and Easy Story lines are the highlights of His work,Though I'd like to Tell Non Indian Readers That They should not Judge The India,Indian Way of Life from These works(For that Matter any of The Indian Authors),Because the Old Roads are rapidly Changing and World Is becoming smaller with every passing day,and our lives are changing into mass produced civilization like that described by Huxley in "Brave New World".How I wish The world becomes a simpler place to Stay Like Malgudi
Rating:
Summary: A young man finding his place in India
Review: I could identify with the main character as he completed his studies and began moving into the 'real' world. His spiritual journey, though not complete at the books end, was very interesting. The (paraphrased) line "they thought they were the first of their type and the last..", referring to his radical friends from his university days, struck a chord. We all slowly realize that our own well-used mold was indeed not broken after they made us. More followed. Alas, we all take our place in society and make the best of it. Simply written and easy to read. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A young man finding his place in India
Review: I could identify with the main character as he completed his studies and began moving into the 'real' world. His spiritual journey, though not complete at the books end, was very interesting. The (paraphrased) line "they thought they were the first of their type and the last..", referring to his radical friends from his university days, struck a chord. We all slowly realize that our own well-used mold was indeed not broken after they made us. More followed. Alas, we all take our place in society and make the best of it. Simply written and easy to read. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Its good... as always
Review: I have read and liked R K Narayan's works in the past. I picked this one up just based on the fact that it was written by him. It was not recommended to me by anyone. And honestly i am so glad i did.
The main character is a student just out of undergrad and facing the decision of what ahead. In a very straight and simple manner Narayan portrays the character's struggles with choosing a career and then his foray into love. Its simple and yet extraordinary. BTW for those expecting a dramatic ending, don't. This book just ends. I had to turn the page to realise its finished :-)
Rating:
Summary: A great and multi-faceted novel
Review: Narayan has accomplished an amazing feat. He has used language to illustrate the process of a man's soul searching, while, at the same time, questioning the nature of language itself. The book's prose is beautiful, clean, and coherent for western readers while at the same time giving a good and keen sense of south-east asian culture. The epiphany this story's lead character experiences when transcending death to communicate with his wife is an amazing reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: A work of rare beauty
Review: Probably the best work of RK Narayan, this novel has a beauty that transcends time and space. Its written in a simple and mellifluous style and yet, it has an underlying profundity that is incomparable. Anyone can identify with Chandran, the protagonist when he goes through emotions of love, hatred and detachment. And 'callous realism' - that one's for the ages. One can see RK Narayan, a true master at work in this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: The story of Chandran, a final-year student of History, on how love tranforms ambitions, alters goals and changes lives is the theme of this wonderful book. Written masterfully with just the right amounts of comedy, emotions and twists, and teeming with sarcasm characteristic of Narayan, this book takes a broad look at values and customs. For example, the long scenes wheres discussion about horoscopes and Chandran's disagreement with his mother are all so very close to life in India. A great book, an excellent read....
Rating:
Summary: Among the very best by Narayan
Review: This book, along with "A Tiger for Malgudi" and "Swami and Friends" is certainly among the very best by R K Narayan. I'd highly reccomend this book to all. To the foreign readers: Graham Greene sums up the effect of Narayan's writings in a very honest way indeed. I myself was a "foreigner" to southern Indian life before I'd read Narayan's books. "The bachelor of arts" is a semi-autobiographical story of a young adult. The book was written more than 40-50 years back but like all of Narayan's writings, it is timeless. I could personally identify with Chandran - the central character of the story. I've read this book more than 10 times and the pleasure increases every time I read it.
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