Which was R. K. Narayan's first novel?

"Swami and Friends" was the first novel of R. K. Narayan, published in 1935. It was the first book set in his fictional town of Malgudi.

About the novel:

It tells the story of Swaminathan (Swami), a ten-year-old schoolboy in Malgudi in the 1930s, and his friends Mani and Rajam.

It describes his adventures at school and at home, his fear of teachers, his friendship with the rich boy Rajam, the cricket club they form (the "M.C.C." - Malgudi Cricket Club), and his involvement in a protest during the freedom movement.

It captures childhood with humour and innocence.

How it was published:

Narayan struggled to find a publisher. A friend in England showed the manuscript to the novelist Graham Greene, who liked it and recommended it to a publisher, Hamish Hamilton. Greene also suggested shortening the author's name to "R. K. Narayan".

Swami and Friends is the first of a loose trilogy, followed by "The Bachelor of Arts" (1937) and "The English Teacher" (1945).

• K. Narayan's novels in order (main ones):

"The English Teacher" (1945), based partly on the death of his wife, Rajam.

"Mr. Sampath" (1949).

"The Financial Expert" (1952).

"The Guide" (1958), which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and was made into the film "Guide" (1965).

His autobiography is "My Days" (1974), and his short story collections include "Malgudi Days".

Why not the other options?

• ✗"The Guide" (1958) was a later novel that won the Sahitya Akademi Award.
• ✗"The English Teacher" (1945) was the third novel of the trilogy.
• ✗"The Financial Expert" (1952) is another later novel.