The fictional town of Malgudi comes alive in this vibrant tale by R.K. Narayan, The Vendor of Sweets, translated into Hindi by Mahendra Kulshreshtha.

Well into his 50s, Jagan runs a shop of sweets. A Gandhian by principle, he himself has given up both sugar and salt and announces his desire for an austere life. He spends his days attempting to enlighten those around him with his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita, faltering when his listeners pose deeper questions. His son, Mali, quietly rebels against his father’s way of life and holds him responsible for his mother’s death due to his reluctance to allow treatment through modern medicine. Determined to lead a life of independence, Mali moves to America to fulfil his ambition of becoming a writer. He returns with a complacent air and an American wife, Grace, in tow. Jagan is left grappling with a hostile son and a daughter-in-law whom he believes to be a gold digger. He offers to handover the sweets business to Mali, who refuses firmly. Jagan is shocked to discover truths about Mali and Grace’s relationship that challenge his mindset and morality. Will his beliefs stay strong, or will his hypocrisy surface as the ground is pulled from under his feet?

The novel follows the complex father-son relationship, subtly indicating the emotional and cultural conflict of a time of transition in India. In this tug-of-war between traditional values and modern lifestyle, will relationships fall apart or discover new resilience?

Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.