Book Review: A song of many rivers by Ruskin Bond

Introduction

ISBN: 978-81-291-4218-4
Genre: Fiction / Anthologies
Publishers: Rupa
Price: Rs.195/- (I got this book from the publisher for a review)

Between the boy and the river was a mountain. The thickly forested mountain hid the river, but I knew it was there and what it looked like…I had heard of it, of the fish in its waters, of its rocks and currents and waterfalls and it only remained for me to touch the water and know it personally.

The snowy Himalayas, where the Bhagirathi, the Mandakini and so many others arise, the towns and villages that lie by their banks, the legends and stories that are as immortal as these waters, all come alive in A Song of Many Rivers. Prepare to get swept away by the tales and narratives about these beautiful, majestic and beloved rivers in this collection of some of Ruskin Bond’s most compelling river stories.

Behind the book

Source: Amazon.in

About the Author

Ruskin Bond has been writing for over sixty years and now has over 120 titles in print—novels, collections of short stories, poetry, essays, anthologies and books for children. His first novel, The Room on the Roof, received the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Award in 1957. He has also received the Padma Shri (1999), the Padma Bhushan (2014) and two awards from Sahitya Akademi—one for his short stories and another for his writings for children. In 2012, the Delhi government gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born in 1934, Ruskin Bond grew up in Jamnagar, Shimla, New Delhi and Dehradun. Apart from three years in the UK, he has spent all his life in India and now lives in Mussoorie with his adopted family.

Me thinks

Ruskin Bond as a writer needs no introduction and his books are considered beyond reviews and comments. He is sheer magic. His writing has the magical prowess and healing powers for any age group. He is a master story teller beyond comparison. And I believe we are fortunate to be able to witness his magic every single time we hold his book in our hands.

Just last week someone was telling that its high time someone writes the biography of Ruskin Bond because we all want to know where he gets the energy to be like an 8 year old despite being an 89 year old. His love for life is infectious and we all want get infected with that love.

This book covers his stories written on, about and around rivers. Having lived a major part of his life in mountains rivers have formed an integral part of his narration across his writing. This book is a heartwarming collection of such tales. His narrative is lucid and one that is easy not only on the eyes but also on the heart and mind. Like I said he is one writer who can soothe your fraying nerves. He is a writer who is loved beyond age groups by one and all.

Strongly recommended. His book will make you feel as if you just spent few hours sitting on the river bank, witnessing it flowing away taking away all your worries and pain.

Foodie Verdict

This book is like Cheese Ravioli - Sinful in every bite and yet delicious to the core, making you want it to never get over!

Source: Glutena Foods

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