About this ebook
The pick of thirty years of essays from R.K. Narayan, India's greatest English language novelist. R.K. Narayan is perhaps better known as a novelist, but his essays are as delightful and enchanting as his stories and novels. Introducing this selection of essays, Narayan writes, 'I have always been drawn to the personal essay in which you see something of the author himself apart from the theme...the scope for such a composition is unlimited—the mood may be sombre, hilarious or satirical and the theme may range from what the author notices from his window to what he sees in his waste-paper basket to a world cataclysm.' A Writer's Nightmare is the marvellous result of Narayan's liking for the personal essay. In the book, he tackles subjects such as weddings, mathematics, coffee, umbrellas, teachers, newspapers, architecture, monkeys, the caste system, lovers—all sorts of topics, simple and not so simple, which reveal the very essence of India.
The pick of thirty years of essays from R.K. Narayan, India's greatest English language novelist. R.K. Narayan is perhaps better known as a novelist, but his essays are as delightful and enchanting as his stories and novels. Introducing this selection of essays, Narayan writes, 'I have always bee...
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Koteswararao Annabattula
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July 5, 2026
A Writer's Nightmare by R. K. Narayan is a delightful collection of essays that showcases his wit, warmth, and keen observation of everyday life. From ordinary subjects like coffee and umbrellas to deeper themes such as caste and society, Narayan writes with effortless charm and gentle humor. His personal reflections offer an intimate glimpse into India's culture and people, making this collection insightful, entertaining, and timeless for every reader.
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