RK Narayan

R.K.Narayan, inspite of his wide acclaim, might be a little known author in the western layperson world, or even an author that those who grew up in the Harry Potter era don't know/care much about. But he is one of my favorite authors. He is ample proof that to be able to write fiction or non-fiction, all you need is being able to connect with yourself first. His extra-ordinary skill is to write about ordinary things in simple, unpretentious style that you and I can identify with. His chief characters all have the same insecurities, fears as any of us. What I learned from his books is that, words and actions of most of us is not about good/evil, right/wrong - its merely that we don't know of anything better given our situation. Its ok to make mistakes, as long as we make new ones each time.

When R.K.Narayan passed away in 2001, at age 94, it felt like I'd lost someone I'd known personally for a while. You know its a good writer if he could make you feel that. Its hard to pick a favorite book, but 'English Teacher' lingered in my memory longer than the others.