The Guide

R. K. Narayan · 1906–2001 · India

Why it matters

Railway Raju (tour guide, lover, convict) is mistaken for a holy man by villagers who won't let him quit the part. Malgudi's finest hour: comic irony about performance and faith that tightens, page by page, into something more serious than Raju bargained for.

At a glance

Clear, wry prose with a dual timeline that's easy to follow.