35 pages 1 hour read

Raja Rao

Kanthapura

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1938

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Kanthapura by Raja Rao chronicles the impact of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings on a small south Indian village named Kanthapura during the Indian struggle for independence, highlighting the caste system's complexities. The story is narrated by an elderly woman, Achakka, and follows Moorthy, a young Brahmin who becomes an activist after embracing Gandhian philosophy. The book contains descriptions of violence and oppression.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Raja Rao's Kanthapura masterfully portrays rural India's struggle for independence, beautifully utilizing regional dialect and Gandhian themes. Critics praise its lyrical narrative and authentic depiction of village life. However, some find the dense prose and cultural references challenging, particularly for non-Indian readers. Overall, it remains a significant work in Indian literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Kanthapura ?

If you enjoy novels that explore the intersection of tradition and modernity in rural India, you’ll love Kanthapura by Raja Rao. Comparable to R. K. Narayan’s The Guide and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, this book offers a poignant blend of folklore, nationalism, and social change, ideal for those interested in postcolonial literature and cultural narratives.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Indian Literature

Education

Historical Fiction

Topics

Education

Period

Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Asian Literature