The Dark Room

That RK Narayan was a genius is without doubt. What confounds me is that I have spent much of my reading years without picking up too many books by this masterful writer. I am trying to make up for this anamoly, so sitting in my little room, I went back to Malgudi into The Dark Room.

Wikipedia has an excellent entry on the novel. Be warned - the plot summary there will be a spoiler...and what I say here too.

Savithri is your typical middle-class woman in the book. Oh, wait a minute, did I say typical? This is where Narayan's genius steps in. His portrayal of Savithri as a woman who has to bow to a husband-male centric dominated society is masterful. She is the dutiful wife, chafing in what appears to be a difficult marriage. But she is not dumb. When her husband, Ramani, starts to begin an understated obsession with Shantha Bai, a new woman in his office, Savithri breaks out. She attempts the unthinkable - leaves her home, her husband's feet for the unknown.

Her journey as a woman trying to live on her own is painstakingly etched. Remember this novel was written in 1938 - a time when women could most definitely not entertain the idea of being a paying guest! Savithri's pride is her strength - she refuses to sustain herself on charity - yet her innermost strength are her children. She comes back. Yet, like she says a part of her remains dead forever.