Raju's first stop after his release from prison is the barber's shop. Then he decides to take refuge in an abandoned temple. Raju used to be India's most corrupt tourist guide, but now a peasant mistakes him for a holy man. Gradually he begins to play the part. He succeeds so well that God himself intervenes to put Raju's new holiness to the test.

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.

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