Book Review - Rhododendrons In The Mist by Ruskin Bond

 

You can never go wrong with Ruskin’s books. You will never regret reading them.

I have been a fan of this wonderful author since a very long time. I have read many of his books, and many are on my TBR. Nature and the spirit of humanity and not to forget, the essence of India, make Ruskin’s books a sheer delight to read.

Like all his books, Rhododendrons In The Mist doesn’t disappoint. It is a collection of both short and long stories. The book is available in Kindle edition.

The book is divided into two parts – part 1 being The Dark Side Of Mountains and part 2 being Himalayan Drama. As the name suggests, part 1 deals with some dark stories from mountainous regions. To be honest, I read one and skipped the entire part, not because it wasn’t good, but because I find written horror much more impactful than visual horror. I guess that when you watch a horror movie or scene, you have the horrifying element in front of you to see for yourself and it somewhat limits the impact. But when you read horror, there are no limits to what your mind can conjure. I could read only one horror story and suffice to say, I skipped the rest of part 1. For people who enjoy reading tales of horror, I am sure they will find it quite enticing.

Part 2 is a collection of stories, some fictional and some non-fictional. In the later genre, Ruskin has shared stories of his life featuring his father with whom he shared a very special relationship and the people that he met in the course of his various travels. My personal favorites are the stories which feature Ruskin’s father. Their conversations and sometimes silence strikes a chord in the reader’s heart. In very few yet poignant words, Ruskin manages to convey his love and yearning for his father. ‘They say you should see Venice before you die. Or better still, Varanasi. But I’ll settle for that little station among the pines. And if my father is standing on the platform, waiting for me, ready to take me by the hand, I’ll be a small boy again and that railcar will take us to a different destination altogether.’ These finishing words of one particular chapter brought a lump to my throat.

Then there is also a story featuring the funeral of his father which is so emotional and poignant that it makes the reader cry. Ruskin has a way of writing that appeals directly to the heart of the reader and leaves an unforgettable impact.

One of my favorite stories by Ruskin is The Blue Umbrella which is featured in this book. I had first listened to this as an audio book and I fell in love with the story and the characters in it. The simplicity and innocence of Binya and her adorable fascination with a blue umbrella is sure to melt the heart of the most cynical person in this earth.

I also have to mention Tales Of Fosterganj, a slightly longer tale compared to the others. The author has weaved a beautiful tale about his stay in Fosterganj, a forgotten town in the hills and its delightful characters. The author has added generous doses of humor to this tale. I was enamored by the town and its quirky characters.

As usual, Nature forms an essential part of Ruskin’s work here. Forests, hills, streams, variety of species of birds and animals and enchanting sunsets and starry nights lead the reader to a whole new world.

I cannot recommend Ruskin’s works enough! I thoroughly loved this book and I am sure that you too will, dear reader. So, prepare a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage), get cozy on a seat (preferably beside a window overlooking a garden, or better, a mountain) and escape into the delightful world of Ruskin Bond!