book review of ruskin bond

The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond | Book Review and Summary

September 20, 2020
Children's Literature

The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond Summary Cover

The celebrated Indian children’s author Ruskin Bond’s story, The Blue Umbrella , has gained immense popularity since its publication in 1980. It is one of the most-read stories. The narrative revolves around an unassuming young girl whose selflessness and compassion triumph over greed and materialism, making it a tale of extraordinary humanity.

The Blue Umbrella has been included in several of Ruskin Bond’s collections of short stories, including A Gathering of Friends and Children’s Omnibus, among others. Its widespread acclaim led to its adaptation into a Hindi movie bearing the same title in 2005. Furthermore, Amar Chitra Katha publications, a prominent publisher of comic books in India, transformed the story into a graphic novel in 2012 titled The Blue Umbrella – Stories by Ruskin Bond.

Set in the picturesque hills of Garhwal, the fictional narrative explores the fundamental values of selflessness and contentment through the lens of a young girl’s heroic deeds. The Blue Umbrella serves as a poignant reminder to re-examine our priorities. It encourages us to let go of worldly desires for genuine happiness. It is a captivating story that lingers in our minds long after reading, prompting introspection and reflection.

This is the story of a cheerful little girl Binya, who lives with her mother and an elder brother Bijju, in the hills of Garhwal. One day, while herding her cows back home, she comes across some picnickers in the hills. They had a beautiful Blue Umbrella. Binya fell in love with the umbrella at first sight. In exchange for her lucky Leopard claw pendant, she acquires that umbrella.

This umbrella brings unbound happiness in Binya’s life, she carries it everywhere with her, and it becomes the talk of the town. This newfound fame brought with it jealousy and envy from some of the villagers. One old shopkeeper Rambharosa eyed this treasured possession of Binya and decided to own it by any means. He offers to buy the beautiful umbrella, which Binya refuses flatly, making him sad over his position. In the middle of the monsoon, he employs a boy Rajaram from the neighboring town, as a helper in his shop. Rajaram was a shrewd boy. After learning of Rambharosa’s fancy for the umbrella, he strikes a deal with him of getting him the umbrella to prove his worth. He then steals Binya’s blue umbrella and blames it on him (Rambharosa) to save his own skin after being caught by Bijju after a great fight. Everybody in the village believes him without any second thought, as they are all well aware of Rambharosa’s obsession with that umbrella. This brought an ill name to Rambharosa, and the villagers stopped buying from his shop. Seeing the poor shopkeeper’s plight, Binya empathized and decided to gift the umbrella to him. The little girl put Rambharosa’s happiness above her own and was ready to part with her most loved possession. In return, Rambharosa also showed kindness by first trying to return the umbrella and then gifting Binya the lucky bear claw pendant, hence proving that kindness will always attract kindness. Rambharosa told everyone that Binya had gifted him this umbrella. Villagers started to buy from his shop again.

But had she loved the umbrella too much? Had it mattered more to her than people matter?

Themes and Motifs

The Blue Umbrella explores the themes of kindness and forgiveness in a world full of selfishness and envy. The little hero of the story, Binya, embodies these virtues as she expresses her compassion towards the person who tried to snatch her priciest possession. Displaying a magnanimous gesture, she forgives the old shopkeeper and gifts him the umbrella without any hesitation. The story also touches upon the perils of jealousy and envy, which can lead people to do hurtful things. The change of heart in Rambharose towards the end is a potent reminder that small acts of kindness can leave a significant impact on people.

The motif of the story is the beautiful Blue Umbrella that symbolizes beauty, richness, and something unattainable due to its exclusiveness. Binya’s possession of the umbrella sets her apart from the other village people making her a target of envy and jealousy. This Blue Umbrella kept occurring time and time again in the story, from making Binya the talk of the town to making her realize the true meaning of happiness in the end.

What is the moral of the story The Blue Umbrella

The story teaches us the ultimate lessons of humility, kindness and humanity. As the story progresses, this seemingly children’s story turns into a mature tale with the deep message. The little girl’s kindness and humility made her a bigger and happier person, and turns a shrewd Rambharosa into a friendly and pleasant person. It also shows the dangers of materialism and how selfishness can damage one’s reputation leading to loneliness. The story’s moral can be summed up in one expression by Binya in the story, “But an umbrella isn’t everything”.

But an umbrella isn't everything.

Literary Significance

The Blue Umbrella is a beautifully written story that showcases Ruskin Bond’s mastery of the craft. Bond’s prose is simple yet evocative, painting a vivid picture of life in the Himalayas. The story is also notable for its use of symbolism and imagery, particularly the blue umbrella motif.

Happiness is living your childhood… and every time I read this book, it takes me back to my childhood when I lived in Nainital, Uttarakhand. I, along with my friends used to climb on the Pine-clad hills every Sunday. Oh my, what days!

I just love Ruskin Bond because he connects me instantly with the best days of my life as most of his stories are set up on those serene hilly areas, and The Blue Umbrella is one such story. I am sure this beautiful novella will definitely touch a chord not only with the young readers but also with all those adults who still have child inside them.

I liked everything about this book! I liked the simple yet engaging story. I liked the setting of the story; the lucid writing style of Ruskin Bond ; the characterization of Binya; the way the story progresses and portrays various emotions like innocence, love, possessiveness, jealousy, empathy and kindness.

I like author’s style of giving a message through a simple tale. I liked The Blue Umbrella .

The Blue Umbrella has captured the hearts of readers worldwide, becoming a beloved classic. Its themes, motif and symbols are timeless and resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The story teaches us valuable lessons about compassion and kindness and serves as a reminder that we should not define people by their material possessions but by their actions and attitudes towards others.

Character Sketch of Binya in the novel - The Blue Umbrella book

Binya is the most important character in the novel The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond. Binya is a lovely hilly girl who lives in a tiny family in the hilly areas of Garhwal. Her father passed away when she was just two years old. To provide food for their family, they have three tiny terraced fields on which they cultivate onions, potatoes, ginger, beans, maize, and mustard. They don’t offer the produce in the marketplace, but they do keep the produce for themselves. They also have two cows named Neelu and Gori, from which they get additional milk to give to the public. The primary goal of their lives is self-sufficiency, not money-making. Binya’s brother Bijju is a student. She doesn’t go to any school but takes care of two cows. Binya loves adventuring in the mountains and valleys. She isn’t afraid of darkness, woods, or climbing trees. She cherishes opportunity, too. Subsequently, at whatever point cows go out with her, she never shouts at them nor controls them to a great extent. She seems to be lost in her own thoughts. One day when she goes over certain picnickers from the city, she understands that city people have distinctive ways of life and satisfaction. They are rich and have great things, similar to a blue umbrella. It is pitiful to note that city people viewed her as a helpless young lady since she wore torn garments. She looks at them in a good way; it implies she doesn’t care about being with individuals. Frequently hilly people don’t favor blending into the group. Additionally, she feels anxious when she is at the marketplace. Binya isn’t eager to sell her tiger claw pendant, even when city people offer her five rupees for it. City folk may not understand the value of this natural item, but to Binya it’s priceless. Instead, she decided to have that blue umbrella for that tiger claw pendant. Binya is not just a compassionate person, she is also very caring and helpful. She is always willing to go out of her way to help others, and she is always quick to lend a hand. She allows the town’s children to hold her umbrella for a brief time. One breezy evening when her umbrella gets snatched up by the breeze into a ravine, she cautiously, with a decent good judgment, follows it and gets it out from the cherry tree. She wasn’t anxious about anything. Her relationship with Ram Bharosa, the shopkeeper and tea shop owner, turns sour when he unfairly attempts to contain her blue umbrella. After that episode, Ram Bharosa’s shop business decays, and Binya feels liable for his misfortune. She reproaches herself for displaying the umbrella over the cutoff, she gifts the blue umbrella to him so that people start revisiting his shop. Regarding her looks, Binya is reasonable, bold, fair, and durable, with dark hair and eyes. She sports a little braid. However, Binya is an ordinary girl, like most youngsters her age, yet her ethics like empathy, charity, and strength make her stand apart from the group.

Character Sketch of Ram Bharosa in the novel - The Blue Umbrella book

Ram Bharosa is a moderately old businessperson who owns a tea shop on Tehri road. He also sells sodas, curd, and toffees, mostly food items in his shop. A bus stops at his store each day, and passengers sip tea or consume curd. He is the most lavish man in the town. However, he’s also highly greedy too. He often lets people or students take things for granted by praising them. At the moment of reckoning and then charges them an additional fee, and if they cannot pay, they can take a chunk of their most valuable possessions to use themselves or sell in his store.

However, Binya and her brother Bijju aren’t apathetic to his snarky behavior. They’re very cautious of him. Ram Bharosa is greedy for the blue umbrella. He must have it therefore, he offers a price of twelve rupees Binya but with no result. When he notices Binya walking in front of his shop, he attempts to draw her but with any success. He gets sad over his position. In the middle of the monsoon, he employs one of his children named Rajaram from the town adjacent as a right hand in his shop. Rajaram, shrewd, promises to take the umbrella from him for the cost of 3 Rs. This Ram Bharosa concurs hesitatingly. To counter their arrangement, he reads up the latest news as he steals the umbrella.

The word was spread throughout the town that Ram Bharosa tried to get the umbrella by influencing people with untrustworthy methods. The people stopped coming to his store since, in the hills, trustworthiness is possibly the most rewarded virtue, and he was annoyed by it. The kids teased him by saying, “the trustworthy thief. After witnessing Ram Bharosa’s desperate situation, Binya chooses to help him. So, one day, she gives him an umbrella and some leaves. This aids in improving his appearance in the community. To repay this blessing, Ram Bharosa gets made an ornament from a bear’s claw and presented it to her. This is considered to be more blessed than the panther or the tiger. We eventually discover that Binya’s compassion and kindness help Ram Bharosa recover his independent business of the shops. After that, based on the picture of the child Binya, Ram Bharosa returns to his path of reliability.

Character Sketch of Bijju in the novel - The Blue Umbrella book

Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond is a well-known book focusing on Binya and her elder brother Bijju. The novel revolves around Binya and her adorable blue umbrella, but we also see interesting characters like Bijju and Ram Bharosa. This write-up will look at Bijju as the book’s third main character. Bijju’s real name was Vijay Kumar; however, in the lower regions of the Himalayas, it is customary to refer to people using their nicknames. For Binyadevi, it is Binya, while for Vijay Kumar, it is Bijju.

Bijju is a 12-year-old boy and wears a claw of a leopard on his neck, just like his younger sister Binya aged ten years. age. But we can find excellent harmony and love between sister siblings, but they differ in their attitudes. Binya is kind to cattle Neelu and Gori and Gori, whereas Bijju is quite a hot kid. So, whenever it’s dull, he herds the cows in a hurry to get home. In addition, Binya and Bijju share the same viands. This is evident when Bijju gives his blueberries to Binya. Additionally, they often go to the shop of Ram Bharosa for food items or to buy toffees that they can eat.

Another thing about Bijju is that he comes to school each day, which proves he’s a capable and diligent student. As with Binya or other children who are hilly, Bijju also is a courageous child. He’s not afraid of darkness, haze, snakes, or wild animals and is completely intolerant of honey bees. In the past, he had separated one colony of bees and the honey bees on all over his body. Since then, he’s been resistant to the honeybees. Due to their obligation to society, he on the land during monsoons to sow rice. If there is no school in the dry season, he gives milk to a few people in the town.

Binya and Bijju are not legitimate, and Bijju is aware of this fact somewhere. He isn’t doing anything to upset his mother and Binya. He does not shy away from dealing with his mother and younger sister. At the moment that Rajaram is the child Ram Bharosa employs, he takes and attempts to escape with the blue umbrella belonging to Binya, it’s Bijju who pursues him and can retrieve the umbrella. Although the story is centered on Binya and her beautiful blue umbrella, Bijju is a significant person who assists the overall story.

Binya’s Blue Umbrella Questions & Answers

Most frequent questions and answers.

Binya received the blue umbrella when she gifted her charm – a leopard’s claw pendant to Mem-Saheb in exchange for an umbrella.

Ram Bharosa was the trusty shopkeeper in the village. Binya and Bijju would come to him to purchase toffees.

Ram Bharosa was astonished by Binya’s blue umbrella.

Ram Bharosa offers Binya twelve rupees for her umbrella, but she does not accept the proposal.

Everybody on the road looked at Binya and was amazed at her beautiful blue umbrella.

As Binya was resting, a breeze rose gently across the forest, whispering. Then, shortly after, it joined random gusts that swept across the top of the mountain range. The trees shrugged, the wind swayed her cheeks, and the umbrella flew out of the way.

Binya had to be cautious to avoid triggering a landslide because once the stones began to tumble down, the slide would carry more stones and stop at the lowest point.

Binya received the blue umbrella as a reward in exchange for her pendant.

Binya could keep the umbrella open regardless of the circumstances, even though it wasn’t supposed to be. However, when she was at her house, she would keep it to the side of the room with the umbrella not unfolded. Everyone loved the umbrella, and they would always try to get to know Binya so that she could allow them to hold her beautiful umbrella for a time.

Binya performed the most challenging task. Crawling up the tree’s trunk to catch it was the most challenging task. Binya was sitting under the shade of the pine tree, and the umbrella was still in its open and lying on her. While she was sleeping, an erupting wind came up and was followed by other gusts of random wind that swept over the tops of the mountain.

The book beautifully illustrates that there is no need for an object to be content. If we are in love with something, the love fades away at some point. However, the love between people doesn’t fade away so quickly. Binya gives up her umbrella to enjoy the joy that Ram Bharosa got because of it. The result makes him a more comfortable and pleasant person.

It is vital to show the value of kindness throughout our lives. Students will be able to see how selfishness and materialism can be detrimental to society and demonstrate the benefits of friendship and generosity via Binya and Ram Bharosa.

The most challenging task was slogging across the tree trunk, which stood at an angle from the high cliff, to get the umbrella out.

Binya receives a gorgeous blue umbrella from a group of foreigners in exchange for a pendant made of leopard claws. Eventually, Binya willingly gives the umbrella to Ram Bharosa, and he, in turn, presents her with an adorable bear claw pendant.

Binya can’t stand the free sight of her umbrella that is colored with depths of skies. Binya gifts the blue umbrella to Ram Bharosa so people can again begin going to his shop.

Ram Bharosa is a selfish and greedy person in the novel.

Vijay Kumar is the actual name of Bijju. Bijju was his nickname.

Video - The Blue Umbrella English Summary

Video - the blue umbrella hindi summary.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review! Don’t miss your chance to explore the 63 most extraordinary narratives by Ruskin Bond .

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Book Review: Ruskin Bond's How to Live Your Life encourages readers to find out what they are good at

As Ruskin Bond turns 88 today, here is a look at his book ‘How to Live Your Life’ published by HarperCollins India.

If you have ever wondered how author Ruskin Bond manages to produce the kind of humongous output that he is known for – novels, short stories, essays, memoirs and poems –

read his new book How to Live Your Life (2022). You will come away refreshed and replenished by the kind of energy that he exudes in this light-hearted volume. Published by HarperCollins India, it is Bond’s birthday offering to his readers. He turns 88 on May 19.

“If you have a talent, put it to some use. It is something that some of us are born with, or even something that we might discover and acquire along the way. I think most of you have it in some form or the other,” writes Bond. He discovered his own talent for writing quite early in life. He recalls what a “dreamy fellow” he used to be, with his head “buried in a book of verse or a novel or an encyclopedia of natural history.” While his peers were excited about sports, he enjoyed “living vicariously” through the characters that he met in stories. Slowly, he gained the confidence to start creating his own characters and writing his own stories.

In his affectionate and encouraging tone, Bond urges readers to find out what they are good at. He believes that this talent can be honed through “effort and commitment” and used to serve others. The author is aware that adults – parents, guardians and teachers – have a tendency to foist their own ambitions on children, so he advises readers to pursue only what their heart is set on. “The world will reward you,” he promises, recalling the love that he has received. Bond notes, “Giving satisfaction, giving pleasure, that is often a reward in itself.”

The author offers advice but does not talk down to his readers. Instead, he indulges in self-deprecatory humour. He seems quite aware of his limitations in areas other than writing, so he remarks, “I can sing (preferably when no one is listening) but that doesn’t make a Tansen or a Caruso or a Mohit Chauhan.” He uses his own example to bring home the point that readers must make an honest assessment of their strengths before they decide on a vocation.

It is wonderful to see that Bond does not set up a hierarchy of talents. Hopefully, adults reading this book will recognize the importance of supporting children to embrace unconventional careers that might seem risky but are in keeping with the potential these children have within themselves. Bond writes, “There’s a potential artist or writer or singer or musician in you or perhaps a mathematician or a toy-maker, or a rocket-maker or a juggler.” He believes that they will excel and be happy, if they have “skill, commitment, even love.”

The book strikes a hopeful note but it is not cloyingly sweet. Bond’s optimism is balanced by pragmatism. He points out that a perpetual state of happiness is not desirable because it can make people excessively self-absorbed. They can stop caring about the suffering of others. In fact, they might lose all motivation if there are no challenges to face and solutions to look for. At the same time, Bond does not beat himself up. He regrets quarrelling with his mother, neglecting his sister, being rude to his teacher, and breaking his classroom windows but also realizes that things cannot be undone. Brooding does not help anyone. It is harmful.

Bond’s writing practice is what helps him stay in the moment. He writes evocatively about waking up at six in the morning in Landour, Mussoorie, where he lives to “see that pink and orange glow as the first light begins to spread over the mountains”. He begins the day with a half-hour of writing. Without this, he feels grumpy all day. He likes to use a gel-pen with “jamun-coloured ink” when he sits to write. At this age, his eyesight has deteriorated but the early morning sunlight helps him see more clearly, and the warmth loosens up his fingers.

This book also provides a glimpse of how elders can keep themselves occupied when their bodies become frail. Bond grows geraniums. “When I gaze upon them, I feel better, more capable of dealing with the stresses of the day,” he writes. The colours of these flowering plants transform his mood. When he feels “a little down in the dumps”, they cheer him up. He writes, “Grow something, my friend. Even if it’s only a succulent or a feathering fern. Find some corner of your room or balcony or window ledge where there’s a little sun, good light and warmth. Plant a seed or cutting, watch it grow, watch it flower.” This sounds easy and doable, for people of all ages. Why does he recommend it? According to him, “You will have taken a small part in God’s creation, and the rewards will be greater than the effort you have made.” He urges readers to become “one of nature’s allies, not one of her enemies”.

My favourite part of the book is where Bond addresses how to deal with heartbreak. He does not mention who broke his heart, if that is what you are interested in. What he does share is how to sit with “that tremendous surge of love for another” when it is not reciprocated. He writes, “What are we to do about it? Go on living in anguish? Become a stalker? Contemplate suicide? Do nothing, my friend. Time is the greatest healer. And the human mind is adaptable. The horrible days pass. The lonely weeks pass. The angry, self-pitying months pass.” This sounds like excellent advice, particularly for men who hurt themselves or the object of their affection – with acid attacks, revenge porn, death threats – when they do not get what they want. Bond assures readers that they “will meet someone” – a person that they have been waiting for all their lives. I suspect he watches too many Yash Chopra films.

Since Bond does not use email or a smartphone, it is quite likely that he is unfamiliar with the contemporary world of online dating where people e-meet numerous matches on a daily basis and weigh their options. They are not waiting to be swept off their feet. Perhaps Bond’s writing continues to be as charming as it is because it conjures up an older, simpler life.

Chintan Girish Modi is a journalist, commentator, and book reviewer.

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Review of Ruskin Bond’s The Golden Years : A book of simple living

On his birthday, ruskin bond offers another perspective on the meaning of life .

May 19, 2023 12:46 pm | Updated 12:52 pm IST

Ruskin Bond. File.

There is an eternity to Ruskin Bond’s words that they linger much after a book has been closed and the reading glasses are kept aside. In an age torn between social media venom and shallow public-relations exercises, Bond endures with his lovely observations of real people, the humour always droll, and the word-pictures ushering in the mist and rain from his beloved hills.

This genuine spirit is again at play in the veteran’s latest book The Golden Years that is replete with what he has experienced over 89 summers. “Writers don’t retire. They don’t get pensions or provident funds. If they have been making a living from the written word they must continue to do so, or taxes will eat them up,” he pens this early on in the book and the template is set. This is about Bond looking both inwards towards his life and outwards at the larger world that shaped him specifically.

Also read | Ruskin Bond: transcending time

Losing his father very early in life, Bond still feels his dad’s presence and there is pathos in those references. For many readers marinated in Bond-lore of the Ruskin-type and not the James-ones, some chapters may look a touch repetitive. Yet being the classical writer that Bond is, we are still drawn to his broad-brush style that also finds time for the tiny wild flower on the mountain-side.

‘Kindness is all’

There is philosophy ladled in a simple manner: “It doesn’t really matter how long you live, as long as you’ve given something of yourself to those you love.” The depth in those dainty lines leaves you mulling over several home truths. And as always there are pithy quotes about nature, be it the fireflies or geckos or trees. Even before the slow-life became this fad taken note of by Time and other publications, Bond has been practising it without fuss. That spirit comes through in this book.

When vanity shadows most, Bond would rather laugh at himself. There are self-deprecatory references like how he cannot boil an egg to save his life or his late-night urge to have a snack. His warm gaze is ever-present and he declares: “Life is a mystery. Accept it as such and don’t quarrel with it.” Above all he states: “Kindness is all.” Pick this book and allow Bond to offer you a perspective on what it means to live long. This is like sitting on the floor and listening to your grandparents. There are multiple joys, fleeting sadness and above all contentment.

The Golden Years , Ruskin Bond, Harper Collins India, ₹399.

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The Shadow on the Wall | Ruskin Bond | Book Review

“There is a Latin proverb – Ars longa, vita brevis… Art is long, life is short.” Ruskin Bond, The Shadow on the Wall

Reading Ruskin Bond is always a source of great pleasure . Over the years, my reading tastes have changed, my love for some authors has reduced, and the craze for some others has gone up, but one constant on my list of favorite authors has always been Mr. Ruskin Bond. I will never outgrow his books, of that, I am one hundred percent sure.

One recent addition to the list of my ‘Ruskin Bond reads’ is The Shadow on the Wall, a collection of 21 short horror stories published recently by Aleph Book Company. Read on to know more about the book and about my experience of reading it.

What to expect?

Expect a comparatively short read (under 200 pages). Expect a collection of short horror stories written in the classic Ruskin Bond style. Expect a collection that serves horror in mild to moderate doses but one that is quite varied in its theme and the choice of supernatural.

Who can read?

The language is simple and easily relatable. A beginner-level reader would find no difficulty in enjoying this one.

The Shadow on the Wall by Ruskin Bond Book Review 1

What did I like?

A short and sweet introduction kicks off the journey and acquaints you with some rather unknown literary gems who come recommended by the great Ruskin Bond himself. Some of these, I would certainly love to explore. These include Voodo Tales by Henry S. Whitehead and J.H. Riddell’s whimsical Irish ghost stories ‘ Night Shivers’ .

Another surprise is the twisty little ending to his classic horror story ‘A Face in the Dark’, which also finds a place in the introduction. Mr. Bond, you never really fail to amaze me.

The writing

For me, the inherent magic in Mr. Bond’s books comes from the things that he writes about. Small hilly towns, simpler times, a frugal but fulfilling life, the India of a lifetime ago, and the many wonders of nature.

This collection, though comprising of all things supernatural (ghosts, spirits, and things that go bump in the night), doesn’t lose sight of its classic Bond ingredients.

But while this was about the writing in general, in the below paragraphs I talk about the stories that captivated me the most.

The Shadow on the Wall, a story just like many others, that the author writes with himself as a character. It is a short story that gives some, hides some, and teases some more. Not the least bit spooky but surely full of those classic Bond twists.

The Overcoat talks of the Englishmen who once lived on the many hill stations that dot the Himalayan landscape . Mansions that spoke of luxury and power, but now reek of stale air and dampness that arise from years of reckless abandonment. But while the people who once thrived in these fancy mansions have surely moved on, their ghosts still linger. The overcoat is the story of one such ghost.

Susanna’s Seven Husbands is the iconic story whose fame multiplied manifold after the Priyanka Chopra starrer Saat Khoon Maaf became a box-office hit. It is yet another intriguing story full of surprises and mystery. Its beauty resides in not what is revealed and said about the murders but in what is left unsaid of them. Needless to state, it is a masterpiece. Bond at his best!

The Skull is about a creepy and sinister-looking skull that lands up in Mr. Bond’s study by a series of chance events. But as fate would have it, it soon becomes an essential but notorious part of the Bond house.

Ghost Trouble is about a mischievous pret who lives in the peepul tree right outside the writer’s grandfather’s house. After a tragic disaster, this restless spirit decides to take shelter in their household, soon becoming a source of constant irritation for its members. Ghost Trouble is a wholesome story, which reminds you of the good old childhood days and all the ghost stories you may have heard as a child.

The Shadow on the Wall by Ruskin Bond Book Review

The Doppelganger deviates from the regular supernatural themes and talks of a rather unheard creature – the doppelganger. The story tries to explore this concept and gives us a sneaky-creepy peek into the world of doppelgangers and the people who get to experience them. More than horror, this story has a rare intrigue factor that enthrals, threatening the reader with the other-worldly possibilities laid bare before them.

The Whistling Schoolboy reminds you of the many ghost stories that one hears about the ghostly entities and encounters with them that happen in and around our famous hill stations.

While Some Hill Station Ghosts talks to you about popular paranormal urban legends and ghosts that are known to inhabit hill stations like Lansdowne, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Landour, etc in real life.

The Shadow on the Wall is an eclectic mix of tales of the supernatural, serving horror with variety, spice, and a pinch of salt. Though you cannot call them scary or spooky, there’s no denying the element of intrigue and fascination that these stories serve.

Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of The Shadow on the Wall using the link below.

Other horror story collections that you can check out –

Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills by Minakshi Chaudhry

More Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills by Minakshi Chaudhry

The Disappearance of Tejas Sharma by Manish Mahajan

Graveyard Shift by Manish Mahajan

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How to Live Your Life by Ruskin Bond – Book Review

In my growing up years, a book that was quite popular among teenagers was ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Although, I wasn’t one of the readers of that book (Actually couldn’t read beyond two pages :I) many of my friends did boast about reading it. Many years later, I came to know that it was published in 1936. This revelation made sense to me as I always thought that the tips given in that self-help book were not quite relatable with the rapid modernisation rather they were obsolete. Coming back to ‘How to Live Your Life by Ruskin bond’, a few months ago I got to know about this upcoming book by Ruskin Bond. The title is so catchy and a book authored by Ruskin Bond made me wait for its launch in eager anticipation. So now after reading the every word of this book here is my honest review of ‘How to Live Your Life by Ruskin bond’.

List of Contents

Book in a Snapshot

Book Title – How To Live Your Life

Authors – Ruskin Bond Genre – Self-Help Publisher – Harper Collins Published in – 2022 Pages – 124 Available Formats – Paperback Edition , Kindle Edition & Audio Edition Price – Rs. 306, Rs. 111.65 & Rs. 0 respectively

Available Online at – Flipkart.com & Amazon.com

How to Live Your Life by Ruskin Bond Summary

Basically the book is an epistle, a letter addressed to the readers. The book as the name suggests is full of advices from the viewpoint of Ruskin Bond basis his tyrst with life.

What Didn’t Work:

To be honest, I am nobody to comment over the work of such an acclaimed writer so not being judgemental or a critic. However, I can only tell what didn’t appeal to me as a reader.

Incosistency in sharing his own life excerpts while explainging concepts:

The starting few concepts of this book are explained by author using tiny bits of his own life moments. However, these are greatly missed in later chapters by a reader who has adored Ruskin Bond’s stories and want to know more about his life.

Ilustration & Design:

The illustration and font selection in the book seems to be primarily targeted to appeal to children and young adults. To people in their late 20s, 30s and 40s it may not be of much interest.

What Worked in How to Live Your Life

The reason why you like Ruskin Bond

Be it Ruskin Bond’s fictional stories or his non-fictional books, there is an ease that can be observed in the word selection and the basic way the plot or concept is served to the reader. In this book too, one can feel the same ease and simplicity while the author goes ahead to explain different crucial aspects that everyone goes through in their lifetime.

Ruskin Bond keeps it REAL!

In the book there are different small chapters that are dedicated to one important aspect of life. While telling about them the author has excelled in keeping them real. Like the concept of ‘love’ & failure in it, hasn’t been glorified or condemned outrightly. Author keeps it real. There are many places where he does not minces his words and puts it straight forward.

The book is heartfelt and the aim is giving genuine guidance

Through ‘How to Live Your Life’, Ruskin Bond wants to tell you what many would have wished to have been told at earlier stages of their lives. People born in 1990s like me {face palms} are you reading this…! No worries, it’s not to late yet we still have time.. time to upgrade ourselves into a better version of us and to guide the next lot namely the ‘#Millenials’ to grow as better humans.

It is light-hearted read

Talk about reading self-help books and one can easily get a panic attack. But not with this book. At many places, the author inspires the reader while at many others he tries to teach the concept of acceptance while being witty. Having said this everything written in the book is relatable and there is no usage of heavy duty jargonish words for the same. So the reader is left only with positivity.

About Ruskin Bond:

Bond.. Ruskin Bond.. naam toh suna hi hoga! That’s true being in India if you have ever been to a school library then I am thousand percent sure that you might have heard the name of our beloved author, Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan awarded Ruskin Bond. Till date he has written many chlidren short story books, novels, memories and non- fiction books like this one. Some of his famous stories are Rusty, Room on Roof and Susanna’s Seven Husbands ( Priyanka Chopra starrer 7 Khoon Maaf was based on this story). In 2019, Zee5 had made a series called Parchayee based on Rusjin Bond’s horror stories. On the personal front he still lives in Landour, Mussorie and yes, he is happily single.

After I finished reading the book, I told my son to read it. He loves to read fiction stories but I insisted for him to read How to Live Your Life by Ruskin Bond and keep the book with him. In my opinion, the book shines not as a gist of life lessons but like a easy to revise, important highlighted pointer compilation. The book will surely help anyone especially children and young adult to shape their lives. Ruskin Bond has shared the wisdom filtered out of his own life experiences. Take this book as life lessons shared by an veteran author or like your grandpa. Choice is yours… SHAZAM!!

(20) Comments

My daughter is a big book lover and I am sure she will love this book, thanks for sharing the review, now easy for me to select this as a gift for her.

Such an acclaimed writer is bound to have an interesting life and it would be a pleasure to know more about his journey. This book sounds great and I’m going to gift it to my son.

I haven’t read any of the Ruskin bond books so I don’t have any expectations. I was searching for one self help book and I think I have got one now.

Ruskin bond is a veteran author and we all admired his work. it is impressive that you have shared your honest review and express what you did not liked in the book. I loved the subject of book and would love to give this a try.

My daughter loves reading Ruskin Bond’s fiction. I will definitely get this book for her. I am sure it will be helpful for her.

Glad to know your honest review. I just bought this book for my child, but have not yet started reading. Yes, Raskin Bond..naam Suna hai? and without any doubt picked book written by him, when visited India this time.

I’ve been wanting to read the book and glad I came across your review. Good to look at the honest review that you have given here.

Thank you for sharing this book review it looks quiet interesting, would surely check out this one for me.

Ruskin Bond is synonym with fiction stories for me , but when author writer his experiences in journal style then that may not gel with everyone as we are always in a mode to read fiction stories by him. Thanks for honest review.

I am a Ruskin Bond fan, thank you for recommending this book. I am for sure ordering this and reading along with the kid. She is a huge fan of fiction too.

It is a non-fiction, self-help book, in case you missed out on that. 🙂

I am a die hard Ruskin Bond fan and love all his work. I like how he writes and most of his stories share his life experiences. I am gonna read this book soon too.

Ruskin Bond has charm with the words, need to check if the charm of fiction has been rolled in the non-fiction book too.

I like the candidness of your review. It is in your face calling a spade a spade. All self-help books are not good.But let me tell you there is no time limit for self help. I am 58 and I still read and follow them.

I love Ruskin Bond’s books and have read quite few of them. How to Live Your Life sounds interesting and I like that it has real and realistic advice and suggestions. Will check it out!

This book sounds interesting and if it’s in Ruskin Bond’s usual way of writing then I’m surely going to like it. His life experiences would give us something to ponder upon.

I’ve been wanting to read the book and glad I came across your review. Good to look at the honest review that you have given here.

My kids love Ruskin bond books and read almost all the books. This book also sounds interesting so will share with them. Thanks for your honest review.

i think ruskin bond books are mostly for children because i have not come across any of the books that would appeal to me. ive read a few. but i guess i enjoy a different genre altogether.

Ruskin bond is one author that I would always feel immense happiness in reading. He has a special connect with the readers.

Book Review: The Golden Years by Ruskin Bond

The Golden Years by Ruskin Bond is a testament to the enduring charm and depth of one of India’s most beloved writers. In this reflective and deeply personal work, Bond, now in his late 80s, shares his wisdom and observations accumulated over nearly nine decades. True to his style, Bond intertwines the beauty of nature with the intricacies of human experience, creating a tapestry of thoughts that resonate with simplicity and profundity.

The book serves as a window into Bond’s inner world, where he looks back on his life and the world that has shaped him. His musings about losing his father at an early age are poignant, offering a glimpse into the personal tragedies that have influenced his perspective. This theme of personal reflection is a golden thread running through the book, lending it an air of intimacy and honesty.

Bond’s writing style remains classic and engaging, with a delightful mix of broad, sweeping observations and attention to the minutest details of nature, like a tiny wild flower on a mountainside. His descriptions are vivid, bringing to life the mist and rain of his beloved hills, and transporting readers into his world of serene natural beauty.

There is a philosophical undercurrent to Bond’s writing, presented with his characteristic simplicity. Quotes like “It doesn’t really matter how long you live, as long as you’ve given something of yourself to those you love,” encapsulate the profound yet accessible wisdom that Bond imparts. His reflections on nature, from fireflies to geckos, celebrate the slow life long before it became a mainstream concept.

What sets Bond apart is his self-deprecating humor and ability to laugh at himself. His candid confessions, such as his inability to boil an egg, add a layer of relatable humor to his writing. This humility and warmth permeate the book, making it feel like a conversation with a wise and kind elder.

At its core, “The Golden Years” is about life’s simple truths, contentment, and the importance of kindness. Bond’s message is clear: life is a mystery to be accepted and embraced. Reading this book is akin to sitting at the feet of a wise grandparent, absorbing stories filled with joy, a touch of sadness, but above all, a deep sense of contentment.

“The Golden Years” is not just a book, but a journey through Ruskin Bond’s life and thoughts. It’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and find joy in the small things. Priced at ₹399 and published by Harper Collins India, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a meaningful and serene escape into the world of a master storyteller.

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The Room on the Roof – Friendship, Love, and Growing Up!

⏳ [read_meter]

There is rarely any Indian youngster who has not read Ruskin Bond . Be it our school syllabus or a random book gift; we have all stumbled across Bond at some point in our lives. He is not only a splendid writer, but the way he strikes the chords of our hearts is unmatchable. Every story of his comes with a bag of nostalgia, memories, and a reminiscence of the good old days. The way he describes his native place, travel tales, and memories of his childhood days – we can’t help but relate to every piece of his work.

The Room on the Roof (Review)

The Room On The Roof Ruskin Bond Author Novel Review Rating Summary

“The Room on the Roof” is the first literary work of Bond, and I regret reading it so late. It is one of the most beautiful stories I have come across this year. The simplicity and innocence of the narrator would win your heart for sure. The book goes through the complexities, emotions, and curiosity of young adult boys in a mesmerizing manner. One of my favorite parts was the vivid description of the Indian bazaar – from the fresh vegetables to the vendors chasing away the cows, the ayahs bathing the kids, to the hot fritters on the pan – Bond plays well with our sensory interactions.

No doubt, the book in itself is no less than a colorful bazaar of smells, animals, urchins, poverty, and above all, hopes, promises, and unbreakable bonds. Not only that, but space also plays a vital role in establishing the difference between the world of Rusty from that of Ranbir, Somi, Kishen, and the like. On one side of the Clock Tower was the Anglo-Indian household of Rusty’s uncles, where he felt trapped and ruled. On the other side, was the world that called out to Rusty – the world of true India in all its glory. As the author calls it, which is where ‘began life itself.’ And for Rusty, all three, the life, India, and of course, the bazaar was like the forbidden fruit.

The Room on the Roof

There is rarely any Indian youngster who has not read Ruskin Bond. Be it our school syllabus or a random book gift; we have all stumbled across Bond at some point in our lives. He is not only a splendid writer, but the way he strikes the chords of our hearts is unmatchable. Every story of his comes with a bag of nostalgia, memories, and a reminiscence of the good old days. The way he describes his native place, travel tales, and memories of his childhood days - we can't help but relate to every piece of his work.

URL: https://bookwritten.com/the-room-on-the-roof-by-ruskin-bond-review/1775/

Author: Ruskin Bond

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15 Ruskin Bond Best Books You Must Read [Top Best List]

Are you finding the best Ruskin Bond Best Books ? Then awesome you are at the correct place.

We are sure, You will love the famous stories of the Ruskin Bond best books. He was an Indian author born on 19th May 1934. Ruskin Bond was awarded the Padma Shri Award in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan Award in 2014, He was also awarded the Sahitya Academy Award in 1992.

He has written over 500 short stories, essays, novellas, and more than 40 books for children. The Ruskin Bond best books and several stories have also been adapted into TV series and films like- The Rusty Stories into Ek Tha Rusty a show telecast on Doordarshan .

In 2005, the Bollywood director Vishal Bhardwaj made a film based on his popular novel for children, The Blue Umbrella . The movie also won the Best Children’s Film National Award . Several stories have been incorporated into the school curriculum in India like Time Stops at Shamli, The Night Train at Deoli, and Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra.

Page Contents

List of Ruskin Bond Best Books

So this is the list of the 15 best of Ruskin Bond for you

1. The Room on the Roof

The Room on the Roof This is the 1st book of Ruskin Bond Stories, the first novel of Ruskin Bond at the age of 17 and he features his most popular character, Rusty in this book.

Rusty is a Sixteen-year-old Anglo Indian boy, living with her English guardian and he doesn’t like him because they are too strict, so he runs away to live freely with her Indian friends.

The moving story of the love and friendship of Rusty, with a new introduction and illustration, will be enjoyed by a new generation of readers.

At the age of 17, Ruskin Bond wrote this book so stop being judgemental of him and enjoy the book at the beginning of your journey into the Ruskin Bond world.

2. A Book of Simple Living

A Book of Simple Living once you read the book, your views towards life will absolutely change for sure.

Through this book Bond taught us to give importance to small things in life, those things will bring a smile to your face and happiness too.

It is a collection of beautiful thoughts read this book to spend an awesome time with your imagination, His words bring colours to our imagination.

3. The Blue Umbrella

The Blue Umbrella is a story that mainly revolves around a little girl named Biniya and a shopkeeper named Ram Bharosa.

Biniya has a beautiful umbrella that was gifted to her by some foreigners and now Ram Bharosa is jealous of him because Biniya was getting popular with the blue umbrella.

So Ram Bharosa has a plan to acquire that umbrella from him.

This is a beautiful children’s story, Ruskin bond is always talked about by the people when they are talking about children’s literature in India.

This book of Bonds was also adapted into a movie in 2005, the whole film was based on the novel The Blue Umbrella.

4. A flight of Pigeons

A Flight of Pigeons Book story was a set of Shahjahanpur during the revolt of 1857. The story starts with a little girl Ruth Labadoor whose father is killed in front of her eyes in a church.

This murder was committed by the Indian rebels in 1857, they decided to kill all the Britishers of the small town of Shahjahanpur.

So the family of Ruther goes to their trusted friend Lala Ramjimal who keeps them at his home and gives them maximum security and shelter to live.

At last, With lots of help, struggle, and support, the whole Labadoor family finally reaches their relatives. This book is based on true events , This is one of the best Ruskin Bond stories.

A Flight of Pigeons is a story of a haunting, rich in drama and details told with simplicity and deep humanity. This Book is also converted into a movie called Junoon .

5. The Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories

This book of Ruskin Bond is a collection of 30 short stories , All the stories are totally different from each other, and not all of the stories are interconnected.

Especially I like the title story The Night Train at Deoli this is beautifully written and also a very famous story by Ruskin Bond.

The Ruskin bond stories take you to the beauty of the hills, village, small-town, and to the gentle people who live in them.

All the stories are filled with love, loss, accomplishment, pain, and struggles. Through their amazing short stories, this book also takes place in the Ruskin Bond best books. You can get this book for their 30 stories.

6. Delhi Is Not Far

Delhi is not far It’s the story of a struggling writer, and the people around him in a small town called Pipalnagar, This book features a bunch of characters from Pipalnagar.

Characters like- There is Pitamber who wants to pull a cycle rickshaw in Delhi, there is Aziz who feels he will be happy working in a jug shop of Chandni Chowk in Delhi. These small characters take this story to the next level.

In this story, there is a narrator named Arun who is looking for inspiration for writing a massive amazing detective fiction.

In the book “Delhi is not far” Bond captures small-town life with their dreams and aspirations.

This is really an amazing story of Bond you can get into thinking after reading the whole book, about how Bond had thought of this story.

7. Rusty The Boy from the Hills

The Boy from the Hills is another novel featuring Rusty, almost 8 books featuring Rusty.

In this story, Rusty lives with her grandparents in Dehradun and he keeps running behind into quite interesting and dangerous pieces of stuff.

The books of Ruskin Bond are simply written and enjoyable by the readers, This story does not have complex, dark, or mystery that many readers enjoy, but if you want to know about the true soul of rural areas then you will definitely want to pick this book.

8. Angry River

Angry River This is the story of a girl named Sita who lived on a small Island with her grandparents, set in the middle of the big river, yet large enough for Sita and her grandparents to live there.

The author describes everything in great detail which makes the story quite interesting.

It is basically a story about a flood on an island in which Sita is alone and scared, Sita follows her Grandfather’s instructions to stay alive, But the river is angry.

Is it really the god himself who has come to save her? What happens to her family? Will she return to her island again? Will she meet the rescuer? Read this book to find out.

9. Our Trees Still Grow In Dehra

Our Trees Still Grow In Dehra This is in the 8th place of Ruskin Bond best books, the book has 14 Ruskin Bond stories(short stories), which are semi-autobiographical in nature and all are set in Dehradun .

Through these Ruskin bond stories, we meet her family, friends, and a lot of people who left her impression on him, Each story in the book traces her life from childhood to adulthood.

He also mentioned the journey from Mumbai , to Delhi , and then finally back to the Himalayas .

10. Tales And Legends From India

Tales and Legends from India This is also a collection of short stories divided into three sections each section having a bunch of Ruskin Bond stories.

This book features mythical tales like tales from the Mahabharata , Panchtantra , etc which are popular in different regions of India.

The book consists of beautifully made illustrations of characters and scenes making it very interesting.

11. Susanna’s Seven Husbands

Susanna’s Seven Husbands is a short story, the book has different themes like horror, crime, mystery, and romance.

The book of Ruskin Bond was also adapted into a movie called “7 Khoon Maaf “.

This is basically a story of Susanna and their seven husbands, this book will not only thrill the readers at every turn but also hold them by their dark drama page after page.

12. Roads To Mussoorie

Roads To Mussoorie Ruskin bond story in this he describes his many journeys from Mussoorie to Delhi, Saharanpur, Haridwar, and many other amazing places.

In this book, he describes her day-to-day life in a very interesting manner. In total 12 chapters, all dealing with different experiences of the author like his treks, traveling, party time, etc. It’s a good book for relaxation and for light reading .

“He says that we don’t need a big reason to be happy, we can be happy about the beautiful gift given by gods like nature and beautiful things .”

13. Rain in the Mountains: Notes from the Himalayas

Rain in the Mountains is a wonderful read, if you are reading this book you really feel as if you are a part of the mountains.

Bond’s writing is so interesting , it’s as though you are conversing with a friend, he describes all her most beautiful works in this book from his years spent at the foothills of the Himalayas in the town of Mussoorie.

This is a must-read Ruskin Bond best book for those who have an interest or love in nature.

14. The Ruskin Bond Children’s Omnibus

The Ruskin Bond Children’s Omnibus This book includes the ever-popular favourite of two generations of children, over twenty-five years ago written Grandfather’s Private Zoo,

The Book also includes Angry River, the Blue Umbrella, Ghost Trouble, The Road to the Bazaar, Cricket for the Crocodile’ and Dust on the Mountain which shows small-town life in Northern India.

When you read this Ruskin Bond story you feel as though you are taking a small trip along with the characters.

This Bond’s stories are simple and sweet and bring your mind to the nostalgic days spent in villages as children, playing together, running barefoot, and stealing fruit. His stories can be enjoyed by both children as well as adults .

15. A Face in the Dark and Other Hauntings: Collected Stories of the Supernatural

A Face in the Dark and Other Hauntings This collection of Ruskin Bond Best Book stories brings all of Ruskin Bond’s tales of the paranormal written over five decades.

This collection brings together all of his tales, opening with, ‘A Face in the Dark’ and ending with the shockingly horrid, ‘Night of the Millennium’ .

The Bond supernatural tales based on the locations of the Himalayan hill station are to be a great reading and a different thrilling experience.

No book by Ruskin Bond can be exactly in the first and last place, all the books are quite interesting in themselves.

Anuradha Sridharan

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Book Review: A book of Simple Living by Ruskin Bond

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The Room On The Roof | Ruskin Bond | Book Review | Plot, Characters And Background

A seventeen year old boy, a teenager himself picks up a pen, weaves a story of another teenage boy-Rusty, who is an orphaned anglo-indian kid.

Yes, we are referring to the very famous British Indian writer- Ruskin Bond.

The Room on the roof is his first formal literary work and of course, one of his much-acclaimed works!

Ruskin Bond

Source: India Today

Protagonist and Plot:

Source: amazon.com

Rusty, is the main character- who lives in Dehra, Uttarakhand. The book mainly tries to portray the plight of this kid who is fighting with his own conflicts in addition to the blind efforts that he is putting in for the fact that he has to be and act a certain way, all to just fit in the standards of society and more certainly, in those of his Guardian- Mr John Harrison.

This article is an overview of the book- The Room on the Roof, under the different heads that follow.

Personality traits

Since, Rusty is just a teenager, a lot of the traits reflected in his character are mainly situationist. He has been primarily under the influence of his guardian Mr. Harrison, until he meets Somi and Ranbir.

Side Characters

- around this semi-autobiographical account of Rusty include:

his friends- Somi and Ranbir, his neighbor- Kishen, Mrs Meena Kapoor- Kishen's mother, etc.

Mr John Harrison

This man, has always seemed to have a negative bias for India and its cultures, which of course got kindled from the fact that India got relieved from the rule of the british, pretty close in time, to when this story had come up.

He would constantly seek to groom Rusty as an Englishman with English values and ettiquettes, which is oxymoronic in itself, since they were, or rather John had been repelling the traditions and the sensibilities of a country that he was living in!

Rusty was evidently suffocated by the restrictions set up on any of his actions that could ever be in favour of India, which resulted in the least exposure he had to the land he was living on, the city of Dehra, as Ruskin Bond likes to call it.

Somi and Ranbir

It was only when one day Rusty followed his heart and went with his insticts, that he went on to explore the streets of Dehra and found a light of hope, a hope for a change when he met Somi and Ranbir, who were quick enough to form a friendly connection with Rusty.

Rusty had just started to take a breath of fresh air, when he got violently beaten by Harrison, after being caught masked in the colours of Holi from the celebration he had with his newly made friends.

This was obviously, very frustrating for Rusty.

He began to realize that his true happiness lied in the adventures that he did with his friends. This was when he decided break the shackles of abidance to Mr John Harrison.

This was the beginning of a new episode in Rusty's dull life. He started tutoring another kid in his neighbourhood, Kishen, for English. He was given a little Room on the Roof of Kishen's House by Kishen's Parents. This was hence a turning point for Rusty, as this was the first time he had life in his control and hence felt a sense of freedom!

Mrs Meena Kapoor

Kishen's father or Mr Kapoor, was an alcoholic. When Rusty began to live with this family, he felt himself being strangely drawn towards Mrs Kapoor, in a rather Romantic way. To his surprise, Mrs Kapoor seemed to have reflected similar feelings for Rusty.

This was Rusty's experience of First love!

Twists in the story

It is quite commendable how the 17 year old Ruskin Bond was able to understand the complicated scenarios that an Individual is prone to be dumped into!

A lot of Bond's works underline the essence of a memoir.

Ruskin was around 7 or 8 when his parents Edith Clarke and Aubrey Alexander bond-got seperated and 10 when his father passed away.

He thus seems to have a deep understanding of people and relationships.

This characteristic of Bond's works is also showcased in the twists exhibited through the storyline of "The Room on the Roof", when Mrs Meena Kapoor dies in a vehicle accident. This incident in the story reflects the thoughts of the author's when his own father passed away!

Another detail of the story that reflects on the life of Ruskin Bond, is when Kishen's alcoholic father re- marries soon after the death of his first wife. This incidence is partly analogous to the remarriage of the author's own mother, with a Hindu man, Hari!

Ruskin's interpretation of life, is intense and terrific, indeed. The portrayal of Kishen who transitioned into a thief as well as somebody who turned over psychologically, when he could not bear the demise of his mother, could only be done by a writer with a very deep understanding of life.

Period in which the story was set

The story is set in the time when India just became independent from the British. Ruskin spent a long time of his life in Dehradun and other places- mostly hill stations, which also find mention in - The Room on the Roof!

A picture of the top view of Mussouri, Dehradun

Source: helloholidays.in

The various scenarios and imageries shown throughout the story hence, work their best to show the distinction between, the olden and the modern days. The story is predominantly built in the light of the days of yesterday, having little but strong contrast drawn, with respect to the modern times!

Popular Reviews

" If there's one name that is synonymous with Children's Literature in India, then it's Ruskin Bond.”

- Daily Mail

The Room on the Roof ranks 2nd in the 10 best short stories by Ruskin Bond, in an article written for-

The Times of India

" it has a lot of different emotions and I like the way Ruskin Bond has written it: a simple story made into such a touching and sad book. "

- Adya@Youngbookreporters

for The Guardian

Goodreads : 4.1/5

My Conclusion:

"As expressed in a lot of reviews and critical reception on- The Room on the Roof, it is indeed a very heart warming composition.

It just has the right amount of Maturity, Innocence, colour and contrast! "

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Tuesday 13 December 2016

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Roads To Mussoorie

Roads to Mussoorie is one of the memorable works by Ruskin Bond. This book amplifies the importance of surroundings and the role played by them on him and his works.

Mussoorie, Ruskin’s home for forty years, even though a prominent hill station, has a breezy feel. This sheepish town is still largely enveloped in Anglican culture, that’s why it stands apart from other hill stations.

This book is different from the other books as there’s no foreword but backward written by Ruskin with his jumbled name as a signature. Interestingly the author here reminisces the characters and the hill station in a backward to forward sense i.e their lives from present to past.

Must Read : Complete List of the Best Books by Ruskin Bond

There are thirteen chapters in this book covering social, cultural and historical aspects of this hilly town. What makes this book incredibly fascinating is the perfect mixture of the facts with the author’s own experiences.

“Roads to Mussoorie” starts off with a beautiful poem on sausages, yes, his favorite breakfast. He goes on to dwell with his fondness for English breakfast and the places which serve them, both good and bad.

He introduces us to the fascinating characters he meets on his trips. The elaboration of types of drivers on his way to Delhi is still relevant. He brings a unique tinge of enthusiasm and adventure with the trips undertaken in various ways to reach Mussoorie.

The treacherous hilly paths are dealt with so ease and presented with gentle humor, which makes him a genius of his own right. The beautiful illustrations which accompany his admiration for hill men are truly amazing.

He also throws light on the English cinema culture and the changing scenario of the cinema halls. His longing for this pastime is so much visible. Like the other characters of his stories, ghosts also take a prominent place.

Some of these are still narrated by the locals. His eye for the detail is truly amazing, whether its mall, beauty salon, restaurant, book shop, grocery store or even a lamp post.

In the chapter ‘ At the End of the Road ‘, he emphasizes the importance of a good companion while traveling/trekking and goes on to narrate his good experience. The description of the bears and their forages is both fear-inducing and exciting at the same time.

“The adventure is not in getting somewhere, it’s the on-the-way Experience”.

This is a line which connects with everyone at some point of time who has wandered aimlessly but gathered more memories than planned trips.

Ruskin describes beautifully the sacred places en route to Mussoorie from east to west direction i.e from Garhwal hills. Nandprayag and the temple of Tungnath are two such prominent places which he describes them with a lot of admiration and warmth.

His keenness in the lives of people residing in every nook and corner of the Himalayas is highly commendable. An unhindered fragrance of austerity and spiritualism reflects in his treatise, which is bound to happen in such journeys.

The Himalayas are such magical wonders on earth that even an atheist is mesmerized by the holiness and Ruskin wonderfully infuses this reverence.

The pine trees, chestnuts and walnuts magically appear before our eyes as we go on reading the chapter on trees visible from his window.

In the chapter ‘ The year of kissing and other good times’ he rekindles both the romantic stories and tragedies with the same verve. Ruskin retells the story of Mussoorie as a hill station and how did it stand in comparison with the others like Shimla and Nainital.

The presence of extramarital affairs, picnics, illegal marriages and the consequent squabbles are narrated by Ruskin with no hint of the blame game. He also narrates the love affair of his parents as an outsider but not as their child.

The controversial boarding school cases are narrated with élan. One can not help but cry out for the students who suffer from hushed up cruel politics present inside the boarding school system.

RUSKIN ‘S sense of humor scales up unprecedented heights in the chapter ‘Running for cover’. He elaborates the perils of a celebrated author living in a small town.

Every incident he narrates tickles the reader’s bones like nothing else. He also takes us down to the journey of mails and people carrying them. This journey engulfs the reader to the world of postmasters and their predecessors.

Writing Style

Road to Mussoorie is a must read for those who fascinate of a beautiful life from the Himalayan hills.

My Thoughts

The author literally transports us to the time which many of us haven’t seen but plays a significant role in our Indian history.

He also brings us back with the same ease to which we are a witness. Through his words, he touches every string of the heart possessed by a road traveler. The last chapter of “Roads to Mussoorie” is the foreward which is a must read for anyone and everyone.

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Book Review: The Golden Years By Ruskin Bond

“The name’s Bond—Ruskin Bond.” This would be followed by delighted peals of laughter as the one responsible for the trite joke would all but glow with pride. Looking back on it now, I don’t think we knew why we were laughing. Until we entered middle school, the only Bond most of my classmates knew was Ruskin Bond. And that warranted pathetic jokes made without knowing who or what we were referring to.

When I was six, my mother bought me a book titled, ‘ Collected Short Stories ‘, by Ruskin Bond. She gave it to me with barely disguised excitement, confident that her daughter would appreciate the book. I was intrigued by the colourful cover and opened it enthusiastically. Flipping through the pages, I was aghast at what I saw, or rather, at what I didn’t see – pictures! It was a pictureless book. I handed the book back to my mother and said – ‘I can’t read a book without pictures!’.

My mother laughs and tells anyone who will listen that I was furious with her for believing, even for a second, that I would read a book without pictures. What followed was months of coaxing, cajoling, and bribing to make me read the book.

My journey of reading started with Ruskin Bond, and I now seek refuge in books (with the vast majority of them being pictureless). This is perhaps why I was eager to start the New Year with his most recent book: ‘The Golden Years’. Published on his 89th birthday, it is a collection of 60 witty and thought-provoking essays on appreciating life.

In an interview with Harper Collins, Bond says he intended the book to be a self-help book of sorts, to expose the young to how it feels to grow older and to make the process of ageing less intimidating for others. He believes that it is in one’s seventies and eighties (the golden years, as he calls them) that people become ‘connoisseurs of life.’ They begin to think for themselves and often choose to turn away from all the bad in the world and focus on beauty instead.

Be grateful for each day, he says, be it sunny or cloudy or rainy. With wars and feuds raging in the world, he asks us to learn to appreciate what we have while trying to help others in whichever way we can, no matter how inconsequential it may seem.

He says the secret to happiness is to ‘look at everything as though you are looking at it for the last time.’ Doing so would not only make our lives happier but also change the way we approach each situation. We would spend a little bit longer on all our chores and do them more willingly. After all, the more willing you are to do something, the better you do it. But not looking at things as though for the first time because a novel experience does not hold as much sentiment as an old and familiar one does.

The book talks about his shortcomings, too – he dedicates a whole chapter to how difficult boiling an egg is, as is making an omelette and a roti. All three of those are arts that require skill, precision, and accuracy. After all, your timing needs to be perfect to make all three, much like many things in life.

He reminisces about his childhood much in the way his grandparents do. He talks about his father, who passed away in his forties, leaving an indelible mark on his son’s life. His grandmother, whose pearls of wisdom about food, made her seem quite miserly and frugal until he realised that the rough exterior hid (or rather protected) a soft and kind heart. His days in school and how he spent his early adulthood.

His walks have become an integral part of his life now. A grumble that today’s youth no longer wake up with the birds, missing the early morning sun rays (‘the best hours of their lives’.)

The book is without the complaints that are generally associated with ageing. Instead, he writes about ‘arriving at a better appreciation of all that is worthwhile in our planet and in this world of our making.’ It urges us to enjoy the little pleasures in life, which we often ignore. His optimism and buoyancy are heartening as he narrates stories of kindness and compassion in simple prose, earnestly pleading his readers to be warmhearted. His vivid writing makes the book seem to have been experienced rather than read.

In a world where being forever discontent seems to be in vogue, Ruskin Bond talks about ‘the many joys of living a good long life,’ and refreshingly so.

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Book Review: The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond

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Hey curious readers! Today we’re diving into a beautiful narrative, “The Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond. This story is a heartwarming journey of growth, resilience, and the bond between a boy and his cherry tree. It’s set in the scenic Mussoorie and unfolds a tale that’s as simple as it is profound.

Let’s walk through this journey together, understanding the beautiful elements of this story in a way that’s easy to grasp for everyone.

Who is Ruskin Bond?

Ruskin Bond is an Indian author known for his short stories, novels, and children’s books.

Listen to the book review

Growth and development.

Starting Small : The journey of the cherry tree begins with Rakesh planting a tiny seed. This small act symbolizes the beginnings of all great things. Just like the cherry seed, every big achievement starts with a small step. Imagine how a tiny acorn grows into a massive oak tree; it’s the same with our dreams and goals.
Observing Change : As time passes, Rakesh notices the growth of the seed into a twig. This change symbolizes the often unnoticed yet significant transformations in our lives. It’s like when a child suddenly realizes they’re tall enough to reach the cookie jar. These small changes are milestones in our journey of growth.
Nurturing and Care : Rakesh’s dedication to the growing plant mirrors the effort required to nurture anything valuable in life. When he waters the plant and protects it with pebbles, it’s akin to how we must care for our dreams, relationships, or even personal skills. For example, just like a musician practices daily to perfect their art, Rakesh tends to his plant regularly.

Overcoming Challenges

Resilience of the Cherry Tree : The cherry tree’s survival through harsh winters and threats reflects life’s challenges. It’s a lesson in resilience, similar to how a student works hard to overcome academic obstacles or an athlete trains to surpass physical limitations.
Embracing Life’s Struggles : The story illustrates that struggles are a part of growth. When the cherry tree faces the risk of being eaten or cut down, it doesn’t give up. This is a powerful lesson in facing our fears and challenges head-on, much like how an entrepreneur might face risks in their business ventures.

Bonds and Relationships

Connection Between Rakesh and the Tree : The evolving relationship between Rakesh and the cherry tree is central to the story. It highlights the beauty of forming deep, nurturing bonds. This is similar to the bond between a teacher and a student, where continuous effort and care forge a strong relationship.
Mentorship of the Grandfather : Rakesh’s grandfather plays a crucial role in guiding both Rakesh and the cherry tree. His wisdom and advice are like the nurturing guidance of a mentor or a coach who helps navigate through life’s complexities. For instance, a coach guiding an athlete to victory is akin to how the grandfather guides Rakesh.
Pride in Nurturing : The final fruition of the cherry tree, despite the sour cherries, represents the pride in seeing something you’ve nurtured grow and succeed. It’s akin to a parent’s pride in their child’s accomplishments, regardless of how big or small they may be.

In essence, “The Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond beautifully encapsulates the essence of growth, resilience, and the strength of relationships through the simple yet profound journey of a boy and his tree.

“The Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond is more than just a story about a boy and his tree. It’s a narrative that encapsulates life’s simple yet profound lessons. It teaches us about growth, resilience, the importance of nurturing relationships, and finding pride in our endeavors.

Ruskin Bond, through this narrative, beautifully portrays how the smallest of actions can lead to the most significant of changes in our lives.

As we conclude, it’s essential to remember that like Rakesh and his cherry tree, we all have the capacity to grow, overcome, and flourish in the gardens of our lives.

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The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
Book Review of the Fictional World of Ruskin Bond Gulnaz Fatma
Book Review: Most Beautiful by Ruskin Bond
10 best Ruskin Bond books to read (updated 2021 list)
Book Review: A Murder in Mussoorie and Other Tales by Ruskin Bond
The Shadow on the Wall

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COMMENTS

The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
The celebrated Indian children's author Ruskin Bond's story, The Blue Umbrella, has gained immense popularity since its publication in 1980. It is one of the most-read stories. The narrative revolves around an unassuming young girl whose selflessness and compassion triumph over greed and materialism, making it a tale of extraordinary humanity.
Book Review: Ruskin Bond's How to Live Your Life encourages ...
If you have ever wondered how author Ruskin Bond manages to produce the kind of humongous output that he is known for - novels, short stories, essays, memoirs and poems - read his new book How to Live Your Life (2022). You will come away refreshed and replenished by the kind of energy that he exudes in this light-hearted volume.
Review of Ruskin Bond's The Golden Years
That spirit comes through in this book. When vanity shadows most, Bond would rather laugh at himself. There are self-deprecatory references like how he cannot boil an egg to save his life or his ...
Book Review: The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
April 07, 2017. Among all Ruskin Bond books, The Blue Umbrella has, so far, gathered immense applaud from readers and critics alike. This is a short novel, but the kind of moral lessons it teaches to us are simply overwhelming. This is a story of Binya, a poor little girl living with her mother and an elder brother, Bijju, in a small hilly ...
The Shadow on the Wall
STORIES: 4.5/5 WRITING: 4.5/5 SPOOKINESS: 3/5 ENTERTAINMENT: 4.5/5. "There is a Latin proverb - Ars longa, vita brevis…. Art is long, life is short.". Ruskin Bond, The Shadow on the Wall. My musings. Reading Ruskin Bond is always a source of great pleasure. Over the years, my reading tastes have changed, my love for some authors has ...
How to Live Your Life by Ruskin Bond
The book is heartfelt and the aim is giving genuine guidance. Through 'How to Live Your Life', Ruskin Bond wants to tell you what many would have wished to have been told at earlier stages of their lives. People born in 1990s like me {face palms} are you reading this…!
Book Review: 'The Gold Collection' by Ruskin Bond
Book Review. Ruskin Bond, a well-known modern Indian writer of British origin, is renowned for his prodigious contributions to children's literature. His outstanding literary talents earned him the coveted Sahitya Akademi Award. Throughout his distinguished career, he has written over 300 short stories, essays, novels, and more than thirty ...
Book Review: The Golden Years by Ruskin Bond
Bond's message is clear: life is a mystery to be accepted and embraced. Reading this book is akin to sitting at the feet of a wise grandparent, absorbing stories filled with joy, a touch of sadness, but above all, a deep sense of contentment. "The Golden Years" is not just a book, but a journey through Ruskin Bond's life and thoughts.
The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond [Review]
Throughout the novel, we see Rusty learning and unlearning the ways of life and discovering himself in the process. We see him fall in love, and pretty soon, he is knee-deep in the pool of grief. All through these twists and turns and adventures, "The Room on the Roof" serves not only as a physical space but also as a metaphor.
Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond (born 19 May 1934) is an Indian author. His first novel, The Room on the Roof, was published in 1956, and it received the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957. Bond has authored more than 500 short stories, essays, and novels which includes 69 books for children. [1] He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra.
15 Ruskin Bond Best Books You Must Read [Top Best List]
This book is based on true events, This is one of the best Ruskin Bond stories. A Flight of Pigeons is a story of a haunting, rich in drama and details told with simplicity and deep humanity. This Book is also converted into a movie called Junoon. 5. The Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories.
Book Review: A book of Simple Living by Ruskin Bond
It is a collection of moments from Ruskin Bond's life - living in the hills, his study, long walks, interaction with nature - plants, trees, birds and animals, friendship, love etc. There were so many interesting lines and phrases in this book that I ended up highlighting so many of them in my Kindle. Simple prose, beautiful explanation ...
The Room On The Roof
The Room on the Roof ranks 2nd in the 10 best short stories by Ruskin Bond, in an article written for-The Times of India" it has a lot of different emotions and I like the way Ruskin Bond has written it: a simple story made into such a touching and sad book. "- Adya@Youngbookreporters. for The Guardian. Goodreads: 4.1/5. My Conclusion:
Book Review: The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond
Book Review: The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond. December 18, 2017. The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond is a very nice story promoting the importance of nature through a cute boy Rakesh, aged six. Rakesh lives with his grandfather in a small town of Mussoorie, and there he goes to school every day. For the farming purpose, his parents live in the deeper ...
Book Review: The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond.
Some snippets of the stunning art inside the book! Book: The Room on the Roof. Author: Ruskin Bond. Illustrator: Ahlawat Gunjan. Pages: 171. Read On: Hardback. How Long It Took Me To Read: 3 days or so. Plot Summary: Rusty, a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy, is orphaned and has to live with his English guardian in the claustrophobic European ...
Roads To Mussoorie by Ruskin Bond
The last chapter of "Roads to Mussoorie" is the foreward which is a must read for anyone and everyone. This Review is written by one of our Vowelor Facebook Community member - Aruna Deepa S. She is a former resident of Mussoorie, currently living in Pune, and a big fan of Ruskin Bond.
Book Review: The Golden Years By Ruskin Bond
In his latest book, The Golden Years, Ruskin Bond masterfully narrates the joys of living a good long life. "The name's Bond—Ruskin Bond.". This would be followed by delighted peals of laughter as the one responsible for the trite joke would all but glow with pride. Looking back on it now, I don't think we knew why we were laughing.
Book Review: The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond
Book Review: The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond. Hey curious readers! Today we're diving into a beautiful narrative, "The Cherry Tree" by Ruskin Bond. This story is a heartwarming journey of growth, resilience, and the bond between a boy and his cherry tree. It's set in the scenic Mussoorie and unfolds a tale that's as simple as it is ...