Bit dry, but necessary now that SAA has adopted it…. Metadate crosswalks! Woop woop!

This book is a hilarious account of one Englishman’s 6 month stint as the “personal secretary” of an Indian maharaja during the last days of the British raj. Describes aspects of Hindu culture in a humorous, respectful, sympathetic manner. Sections of the book were cut until recently because of “homoerotic” suggestions.

This book is amazing! Part travelog, part photo essay, part recipes. It takes you all over the world to the places where rice is a dietary mainstay, describes the culture and cuisine, and then supplies you with instructions for reproducing the food. I especially like the section on South India.

Narayan is just an amazing story teller. These tales take place in an imaginary South Indian village. The telling is poignant and elegantly stated. The stories are universal. My favorite author and my 3rd reading of this book. Left the last one for a friend in Kerala. Wonder if he ever made it through all that English!