Distorted Mirror: Stories, Travelogues, Sketches

R.K. Laxman, cartoonist par excellence, is also one of the country’s mostentertaining writers. The Distorted Mirror brings together some of hisbest short stories, essays and travelogues. The collection begins with ‘AnAccident’, a most unusual mystery story where the murder weapon is anewspaper. In other stories, we are introduced to Gopal, a schoolboy in anordinary small town that is transformed one day when the Viceroy visits; Shantha,a little girl who makes an interesting discovery in the midst of a wedding; andBhasker, a writer who is suddenly confronted by his past. Each story is markedby Laxman’s ability to delineate a character or a moment with a few deftstrokes and imbued with his trademark wit. No less fascinating are thetravelogues - about the United States, Australia, the Andamans, Darjeeling,Mauritius and Kathmandu - which are brought to life by Laxman’s vividdescriptions and his inimitable way of looking at the world around him. Thecollection is rounded off with a few rare and delightful anecdotes aboutLaxman’s cartooning career, a subject on which he is usually reticent.