Malgudi Days, a compilation of short stories and an exceptional composition by RK Narayan. There are times when I don’t feel like consuming myself in a novel I indulge myself in reading short stories because they are succinct and concise and as satisfying and effective as any novels are. In less time and words it provides all the pleasures of a novel. And ‘Malgudi Days’ is my all-time favorite book in the short stories category (because I have not read too many short stories yet ?)which I have read a lot of time. The setting of the story, where characters grow and the plot thrives, the Malgudi Town is so plausible that its existence feels real and genuine despite the fact it’s an imaginary town. Each story is different from others gives some sense of familiarity and relatability. It peeps into the characters’ existing way of life and the crisis they are going through and either they solve it or learn to live with them.
A great read between the novels. If you also know about any such short storybook, do share it with me. I would love to read them.