Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1979
175
Novel • Fiction
1940s; Karnataka, India
1979
Adult
18+ years
Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man by U.R. Ananthamurthy explores themes of tradition, morality, and conflict within a Brahmin community in India. The story unfolds when an influential person's death prompts a debate over performing the last rites, revealing deep-seated tensions and challenging rigid societal norms. The narrative engages with existential and philosophical questions through its characters.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Challenging
Melancholic
Dark
2,404 ratings
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Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man by U.R. Ananthamurthy is celebrated for its profound exploration of religious and social traditions. The novel's rich narrative and philosophical depth are widely praised, yet some readers find its cultural context challenging to access fully. Overall, it is lauded for its critical reflection on tradition and change.
Readers who enjoy complex cultural narratives and moral dilemmas, akin to those in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe or The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, would appreciate Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man by U.R. Ananthamurthy for its exploration of tradition vs. modernity in an Indian village.
2,404 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
175
Novel • Fiction
1940s; Karnataka, India
1979
Adult
18+ years
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