The Painter of Signs
A short novel by R.K. Narayan set, like much of his work, in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. It follows Raman, a rationalist sign-painter who prides himself on logic, and his infatuation with Daisy, an independent woman traveling the region to promote family planning. Their uneasy courtship plays out against the routines of small-town life, and Raman finds his careful self-image unsettled by feelings he cannot reason away. Narayan writes with gentle irony and close observation of ordinary people. At around 140 pages it is a compact, character-focused read and a good entry point to Malgudi.