RK Narayan is a much-loved Indian author, best remembered for creating the fictional town of Malgudi, where the schoolboy Swami and his friends had many memorable adventures. For millions of his readers, however, Malgudi is real, palpable, timeless and teeming with life. As readers, we grow with every new book or author we read. And finally, we come to love those who are without any pretence. Narayan was one such author. One of the earliest Indian English writers that readers—both in India and the West—took note of, RK Narayan is a household name today. This monograph presents the behind-the-scenes story of Narayan’s becoming a writer, and narrates the circumstances of his life that shaped his vision—the defining quality of which is compassion. In the process, it also presents a broad estimate of his staggering literary achievements.