Best Books By Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond is one of the most beloved authors in the country. He started writing when he was just 17 years old. Bond has written over 150 books that include children’s stories, novels, collection of short stories, memoirs and even poetry. He received Padma Shri in 1999 and Padma Bushan in 2014. He has penned many beautiful novels and here are 7 best books by Ruskin Bond.

The Room On The Roof

The Room On the Roof is a coming-of-age story that Ruskin Bond wrote at the age of 17. The book was first published in 1956. It is a story of Rusty, a teenage Anglo-Indian orphaned boy who has to live with his English guardian in the European quarter of Dehra Dun. Rusty is unhappy with his guardians because of their strict rules. He runs away from home to live with his Indian friends in the marvelous world of the bazaar, Hindu festivals and all manner of Indian life. The Room On the Roof is an enthralling tale of love and friendship.

The Blue Umbrella

The Blue Umbrella is a short and funny novella. The book was originally published in 1974. It is set in the hills of Garhwal and it follows Binya, who buys the beautiful blue silk umbrella in exchange of her lucky leopard’s claw pendant. Binya took the umbrella everywhere she went. Gradually the umbrella faded to a pale blue, and was patched in several places, but there were still many who envied Binya and her treasured possession. Especially, old Ram Bharosa, the shopkeeper, who decided he must own the blue umbrella. The Blue Umbrella is a witty novella that captures life in a village. This book is one of the best books by Ruskin Bond

Delhi Is Not Far

Delhi Is Not Far by Ruskin Bond was originally published in 1994. The book is set in Pipalnagar where each day is just like another. There stays the narrator, Arun who is a struggling writer of detective novels in Urdu. He falls in love with the young prostitute Kamla, who is wise beyond her years; and becomes friends with Suraj, who is homeless and an epileptic, but still optimistic about the future. This is a story about small lives, filled with nostalgia, charm, humor and wisdom. 

A Flight Of Pigeons

A Flight of Pigeons is a story set in 1857. The book was originally published in 1978.  The novel begins with the death of the father of Ruth Labadoor in front of her eyes in a church. His murder was committed by the Indian rebels who have decided to kill all the Britishers of the small town Shahjahanpur. Mariam Labadoor, who is the mother of Ruth Labadoor, takes their entire family of 6 to their trusted friend Lala Ramjimal who keeps them at his home and gives them security and shelter. Javed Khan who is a Pathan leader comes to know that there are a few foreigners living in Lala’s home. He goes to Lala’s house and forcefully takes away Ruth and Mariam Labadoor to his home. With lots of help and support, the Labadoor family find a way to reach their relatives.

Susanna’s Seven Husbands

Susanna’s Seven Husbands is a short story book by Ruskin Bond that was published in 2011. The story follows Arun who has been secretly been in love with Susanna since his childhood. Susanna is his dangerously alluring neighbor, who becomes his friend despite the difference in their ages. Susanna has a weakness for falling in love with the wrong men. Over the years, Arun watches as Susanna becomes infamous as a widow who goes from one marriage to another, and leaves behind a trail of dead husbands. Soon Arun begins to wonder if there is any truth to the gossip about the woman he is in love with. Susanna’s Seven Husbands is an enthralling story of love and death.

Angry River

Angry River is a children’s novel, published in 1972. It is a story of Sita. She lives on a small island with her grandparents. Their only possessions include 3 goats, some hens, a small vegetable garden and a Peepal tree. One day due to unforeseen circumstances, Sita is left alone in the hut with a thunderstorm approaching. Heavy rains end up raging the river, forcing Sita to take shed in a tree and hope for the storm to end. Slowly the island starts to drown itself in river. It is a story of Sita’s struggles against the river and one of the best books by Ruskin Bond

Roads To Mussoorie

Road To Mussoorie novel is an ode to Ruskin Bond’s hometown for more than forty years. The book was published in 2005. In this book Ruskin Bond describes his journeys to and from Mussoorie over the years, and talks about daily scandals surrounding his life and friends in the hill town. The book is also accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Roads to Mussoorie is a fascinating recounting of events of the author’s surroundings and the role they have played in his work and life.

Also Read: List Of Children’s Books For Age 9-12