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A Writer’s Nightmare brings a collection of essays written by R. K. Narayan between 1958 and 1988. Summary of the Book The essays contained in this book delve into themes as diverse as Nobel Prize-winners, caste system, love, and monkeys! They provide a unique perspective on the Indian way of life. Written over a span of thirty years, the essays offer Narayan’s views on different topics at different points of time. The book also has the essay titled, Misguided Guide, which expresses his displeasure with the movie Guide, which was based on his book, The Guide. About R. K. Narayan R. K. Narayan was born in Madras in 1906, and was educated there and at the Maharaja’s College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends, and the next, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the fascinating imaginary territory of Malgudi. Narayan’s work, The Guide, won him the Sahitya Akademi Award, the country’s highest literary honour. Narayan has also authored other collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malgudi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree. He has penned travel books, essays, memoirs, and has re-told legends like The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. In the year 1980, he was honoured with the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature. R. K. Narayan passed away in 2001.