The Financial Expert is a witty novel by R. K. Narayan, first published in 1952, and set in the small town of Malgudi. It narrates the story of its titular character Margayya, a complex man with a flair for offering financial advice to the local town folk.

Summary Of The Book

Originally written and published in 1952, R. K. Narayan’s novel, The Financial Expert, like his other stories, takes place in Malgudi, a small southern Indian town. The book focusses on its central character named Margayya, who is known and revered in his local community as the financial wizard of the town. He dispenses his expert advice under a banyan tree, helping people with routine and minor financial matters which form a considerable portion of the daily life of Indians, including, how to acquire loans from the Co-operative Bank.

The book dwells on Margayya’s life, thoughts, and motivations, offering readers a brilliant psychoanalysis of his fascinating character. He is described as a man filled with many hopes and dreams, but restricted by limited resources. An ambitious man, he utilises his talent and knowledge by earning a living, advising those who are more than willing to pay him for it.

A memorable book, The Financial Expert follows Margayya's incredible journey from rags-to-riches, narrating many humorous incidents along the way including, an encounter with the Bank’s Secretary, and an accident which results in the loss of his account book, which was thrown down a drain by his son Balu. Margayya grows to become rich and reverts to financial wizardry.

The vivid images and insights portrayed in the novel, including his difficult interaction with the Malgudi residents and travails with his own family, paint a rich, poignant, and authentic view of Indian life.

Throughout the novel, the author keeps the readers glued by introducing many intriguing characters, who on the face of it seem to be playing only minor roles, but are in fact, essential, contributing greatly to the storyline.

About R. K. Narayan

Renowned Indian author R. K. Narayan is considered to be one of the most prominent writers in the country.

He has written many novels including Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, The Dark Room, The English Teacher, Waiting For The Mahatma, and The Guide.

His work, written in a natural, simple, and humorous style, captures the myriad flavours of Indian life.

Born in the year 1906, in Madras, he graduated from Maharaja College of Mysore and began his career with teaching, followed by occasionally writing for English journals and publications. He soon became an acclaimed writer, having written many memorable classics, and is considered one of the three leading writers of early Indian Literature. He has received several awards and honors, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Sahitya Akademi Award for The Guide, in 1958. He passed away in 2001, at the age of 94, in Chennai.