We’ve been having an interesting selection of review copies for our parent members as well! Some of the unique ones have been curated here!
Rukmini Aunty & the R.K Narayan Fan Club – an authentic take on ‘Malgudi’- esque nostalgia
[reviewed by Sowmya]
Title: Rukmini aunty & the R.K. Narayan Fan Club
Written by: Sita Bhaskar
Cover illustration by: Mohith O
Published by: Penguin Books
Length: 184 pages
Set in the quaint heritage city of Mysore and loosely based on true events, the story traces the journey of Rukmini aunty, an unassuming elderly lady. After a visit to the American town of Hannibal, the boyhood home and museum of Mark Twain, Rukmini is spurred into creating an action group to preserve RK Narayan’s heritage house in Mysore. The crumbling house is entangled between the depleted government funds and ambitious property developers.
Rukmini is well supported and encouraged by her husband, Sesha Uncle and her American born niece, Janani. Her ‘literary society ‘ is an entourage of ladies who are a chatty bunch and gossip over tea and samosas. They mostly discuss life’s trials and tribulations rather than brainstorm ideas on how to raise funds, much to Rukmini’s dismay!
The characters in the story are reminiscent of the folks from Malgudi days- regular middle class folks whose dreams, aspirations and mundane tribulations formed the basis of R K Narayan’s stories. Just like RK Narayan focused on middle class struggles and dreams in Malgudi days, author Sita Bhaskar also does the same in this book: the life of a childless ageing couple, the dream to construct an ‘independent’ home, the NRI life, the struggles of kids raised in America trying to integrate themselves into India, how the great American dream of youngsters affected the parents back home. The author deftly addresses many quirks of Indian life: blind superstitions, horoscope matching, the infamous inactiveness of government offices and colloquial lingo.
The story has many characters and numerous sub plots woven into the main story line – some of whom we never encounter again and hence are left confused and wondering at their incomplete story lines (do Mukta and Mr. CB end up together? What happens to Khasim’s movie script? Does Kamini succeed in bringing out the school literary magazine and hold onto her job? What happened to the American bank that got mixed up with the house?)
The story has got all the ingredients of a delightfully delicious novel: a dash of romance, a sprinkle of mystery, a spoonful of suspense, a touch of ambition all mixed into a broth of nostalgia. The characters struggle to preserve a slice of old Mysorean heritage as commercialisation threatens to bring down the house. The story has a relaxed meandering pace and many relatable moments that will have you chuckling in agreement.
This book is a nostalgic ode to the sepia-tinted yesteryears. The story has all the ingredients of a delicious novel. Go ahead and pick up this book and savor it slowly over a cup of strong filter coffee.
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