For the centennial of his birth R. K. Narayan s most celebrated novel Formerly India s most corrupt tourist guide Raju--just released from prison--seeks refuge in an abandoned temple. Mistaken for a holy man he plays the part and succeeds so well that God himself intervenes to put Raju s newfound sanctity to the test. Narayan s most celebrated novel The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy his country s highest literary honor. For more than seventy years Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1 700 titles Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.