NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Lifestyle News / Happy Birthday, Ruskin Bond! A look at his top books
    Next Article
    Happy Birthday, Ruskin Bond! A look at his top books
    Ruskin Bond is known for writing stories of simpler lives

    Happy Birthday, Ruskin Bond! A look at his top books

    By Apurva P
    May 19, 2023
    12:42 am

    What's the story

    Ruskin Bond is children's favorite Indian author and a short story writer who focuses on tales about simple and small lives.

    Throughout his forty years of literary career, he has authored over a hundred short stories, essays, novels, and more than thirty children's books.

    On his birthday, let us have a look at his top six reads.

    Book 1

    'The Room on the Roof'

    An award-winning novel, this book is a masterpiece of adolescence and coming of age. Bond wrote this at the age of 17.

    The plot revolves around Rusty, an orphan who runs away to live with his friends and gets charmed by Indian festivals, and many other facets of Indian life.

    Its success gave Bond an impetus to write its sequel Vagrants in the Valley.

    Book 2

    'The Blue Umbrella' 

    Written in 1980, The Blue Umbrella is about a little girl Binya in Himachal Pradesh who trades her lucky leopard's claw pendant for a pretty, frilly blue umbrella.

    Many envied Binya's prized possession, and the most envious of all was old Ram Bharosa, the shopkeeper, who determined that he must own the blue umbrella, fair or foul.

    Book 3

    'Delhi Is Not Far'

    This novel is set in Pipalnagar, a drab and dusty tiny town.

    Arun, the protagonist, is a struggling writer of cheap thrillers who seeks inspiration from the unlikeliest of characters - the orphan Suraj, homeless and epileptic, and the young prostitute Kamla, who is resigned to the fact that neither she nor Pipalnagar will change.

    Book 4

    'Funny Side Up'

    Bond transports his readers to his countryside and expresses the most mundane circumstances with exceptional wit and acuity.

    This book is a fascinating read, filled with hilarious and colorful characters such as monkeys, wild boars, an aunt who has a flower phobia, an eccentric cousin who believes he is the great cricket star Ranji, and the intelligent seven-year-old Gautam.

    Book 5

    'Maharani'

    The story of Maharani revolves around Neena, a spoilt, selfish, beautiful, and aging widow of the Maharaja of Mastipur.

    Having inherited a large amount of wealth from her deceased husband, she lives in an enormous old house in Mussoorie.

    Bond, who is her friend, disapproves of her antics. It's a charming tale about love, death, and friendship.

    Book 6

    'Tales of Fosterganj'

    Tales of Fosterganj is set in a fictitious suburb on Mussourie's outskirts.

    This book follows the journey of a Delhi-based writer who ends himself in Fosterganj by coincidence. The writer wishes to live as a recluse in this tranquil hamlet, perhaps finishing a book or two, but fate has other plans.

    Check out more such book recommendations.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Books

    Latest

    Shubman Gill surpasses 5,000 T20 runs with 93* versus DC Gujarat Titans
    Declan Rice's goal secures Champions League spot for Arsenal: Stats Arsenal FC
    IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans hammer Delhi Capitals at Kotla: Stats Axar Patel
    Sai Sudharsan slams his 2nd IPL century: Key stats Sai Sudharsan

    Books

    These books can help you learn how to overcome rejection Lifestyle
    5 books for those struggling with body image issues Lifestyle
    5 excellent books for those wanting to overcome perfectionism Mental Health
    Christmas musings: These 5 books will level-up your Xmas feels Christmas Day
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025