a book review of ruskin bond

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Book review: the blue umbrella by ruskin bond.

nice post really awesome!!!

It's wonderful to read

It was a good story! I loved that, thanks for the book review.

Kindly tell the word limit

thats great

It is very good story in all of my life and It is very useful for children and fantastic book My brother and sister like The story

Thanks for reading

This is a book review or not

I don’t know???🤣🤣🤣😂

Well , i do think so

It is a very useful story to children and fantastic book

Good story...my son loved it

I need the review

goood story ............. i love reading even though no one reads in my family and as iam a poor girl we dont have enough money to buy then also i love 2 read\

it became very helpful for my school assignment thank u..

Work made easy by your review

This book review is so much helpful and awesome!!!

amazing story.......

Ur summary was very informative and helpful and contained all aspects of the story. Hats off to you for doing such a wonderful job......

The story is short and simple but elegantly touches the core aspect of humanity - kindness. Through Binya Ruskin instils a sense of kindness among children. It is an amazing read for all.

Thanks for reading Sangita..

I read this long ago and had to write a review . I found themes of healing and forgiveness ,how the life of a community can change with the introduction of a simple object and the ability of children to see through the game of adults and transcend it . remember reading it again and again .

Can you send me the review??

great story i loved it

nice story....thanks RUSKIN BOND for one more wonderful novella..Used for my holiday homework

Please,don't miss watching this movie. Pankaj kapur was awesome! Just the perfect movie to watch. Vishal bhardwaj should get all credit.

Great Great . Thanks for the review. Your website is website is very useful. 😄

Cool man hats off

Thanks for the review

Very well written... Gud job 👍

I want the book publication

This is helpful for my diwali homework

Read it just yesterday.it is amazing

I want a book review..... Please🙏🙏 😚

Ruskin Bond casts the kind of simplicity in his stories that has an impactful impressions over one's life..

Easy to learn and understand

When did anil visit old lady ?

I have a book of it

Wow, liked it.

This book is a must to read i also have the book even though i am not so fond of reading books😄

Super story .This is a good story for children

superb story yrrr 🥺❤

thanks its help me my holiday homework now i no need to buy this book

It was very helpfull for summer vacation homeworj

Interesting story. Thanks for this Book Review. You've simple yet wonderful Book Blog

what is character description

This is a wonderful story by Ruskin Bond , it had helped me in my English Holiday Assignment and thanks for the one who had posted this

Fantastic story and its summary :)

Thanks for sharing the best information and suggestions, it is very nice and very useful to us. I appreciate the work that you have shared in this post. Keep sharing these types of articles here. Best Weight Loss Programs Australia

Good Review

It is a great story

a beautiful short story by Ruskin Bond

Nice story ❤️🔥👌

Thanks! This helped my homework 👍😌

thanks homework

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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Must Read Books

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!

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 wonderful depiction of Holi would make you miss the festival so much. All the merrymaking, the riot of colors, faces smeared with reds and blues and yellows, and the torn clothes – it was like a whole new world for Rusty. This was a world where he didn’t have to worry about the cane beatings from Mr. Harrison, a world where he could live freely and unapologetically.

“For one day, Ranbir and his friends forgot their homes and their work and the problem of the next meal, and danced down the roads, out of the town and into the forest. And, for one day, Rusty forgot his guardian and the missionary’s wife and the supple Malacca cane, and ran with the others through the town and into the forest.”

What steals the cake for me is the undying love that the boys have for each other. The friendship they share is beyond beautiful. From eating together and playing Holi to going on a picnic and slowly parting their ways – this book would teach you a thing or two about human relationships at their best. Somi’s letter after he leaves Dehra is such a philosophical take on life that it would encourage you to keep going on no matter how gloomy your days are. Towards the end, Kishen works as another source of inspiration for Rusty. He tells him that he holds power to be anything – ‘A writer or an actor or a prime minister or something. Maybe a poet! Why not a poet, Rusty?’

The Room On The Roof Heart Warming Tale Of Friendship Love And Growing Up

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. This more or less relates to the moral of the story as well. It was not just a room; it became an extension of Rusty’s very being. This is the only place he could call his own. No matter what happened, he’d always have to return to his room.

His fair skin and blue eyes always gave away the fact that, even though he spent all his days with Kishen and co., he wasn’t “one of them.” This identity crisis gives him perspective, and it’s not until the very climax that he realizes since he doesn’t belong to any place, he belongs everywhere. We often see Bond use the metaphor of water bodies to talk about different emotions and themes. When Kishen left Dehra, Rusty felt the world had become as stagnant as a river. Days and nights went by, but Rusty felt the clock was stuck at the same time.

“It was like living in a house near a river, and the river was always running past the house, on and away; but to Rusty, living in the house, there was no passing of the river; the water ran on, the river remained. He longed for something to happen.”

Even at the end, we see how the room with a family of lizards and no electricity becomes the only solace, the only place to go back to for the young boys. It is their room, and that is where they must return. This is a story of Rusty and his friends, a story of love, loss, growing up, the harsh realities of the world, and everything in between. You can relate to the characters here. This honest tale will stay with you long after you reach the last words of the last page. I highly recommend you add this to your ‘Books to Read’ list. You can get the book here! 📖

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