Little Ruskin is delighted to be put out of his boarding school only to rejoin his father or ‘Daddy’ as he fondly called him. Amidst Air raids as a consequence of World War 2, they are forced to shift to Atul Grove situated near Connaught place close to the movies and bookstores. As a young boy too, he carefully observed nature’s play and was fascinated by it. When his father was struck with malarial fever, he became adaptive and independent. New friends were formed and new bonds were forged in his new boarding school.
The illustrations coupled with Ruskin’s mastery over his pen make us travel back in time to the Old Delhi of the 40s and ascend the stairs of Purana Kila alongside Ruskin and his father. When they were not gorging on bread and butter, they took long walks in the capital and Ruskin Bond happily gave his father company in sorting stamps. They had insightful discussions about world history and the future of India past the war.
Each memory shared by Ruskin has significance including the title. For instance, the second book was named after P.G. Wodehouse’s work which held a special place in his heart. We learn about the kind of writer he is, and the human being he has transformed into in the present times.
Ruskin Bond writes with sincerity and honesty without mincing words and baring his heart on paper. He candidly writes about his shortcomings as a young boy. The vivid descriptions of nature transported me to the lush green surroundings. The illustrations brought each moment narrated by him to life.
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