Mr Sampath - Softcover

"R. K. Narayan's novels are like a box of Indian sweets: a highly-coloured container conceals a range of delectable treats, all different in a subtle way, but each one clearly from the same place. There are fourteen novels in the oeuvre-enough to create a world. Enthusiasts of his work will read them all and return to them time and again. The busy, or the less committed, may open the box and take out one at random-it does not really matter which order one reads them in. But be warned: the consumption of one leads to a strong craving for more" (Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series)

Fresh form the presses of the Truth Printing Works, the weekly edition of The Banner enjoys a certain distinction. Srinivas, its editor and sole contributor, concerns himself with artistic and intellectual problems: Mr Sampath, its printer, amicably shoulders the financial burdens. When the paper folds - a surprise to them both - Mr Sampath sees a way to save an equable partnership. With splendid magnanimity he arranges for Srinivas to write the filmscripts for Sunrise Productions. Unfortunately, the glamour of it all goes quite to Mr Sampath's head, and his sudden change of fortune leads to sublime, unmitigated chaos .