Escape from Java and Other Tales of Danger

by Ruskin Bond

Join intrepid heroes and dauntless heroines in their quest for survival against earthquakes; fire; floods and bombs! Live life on the edge with five stories of danger and adventure. Flee with Romi as he rides his cycle straight into the river to escape a fearsome forest fire; listen in to Ruth's hair-raising story of escape from rioting sepoys during the uprising of 1857; read about the author's miraculous flight from Java as Japanese planes bombard the city; witness the havoc wreaked by the deadliest earthquake ever in Rakesh's town; Shillong; and watch Sita combat a fatal flood that threatens to engulf her. Thrilling plots; daring protagonists; explosive exploits-this book has it all! Written in Ruskin Bond's inimitable style; with doses of humour and excitement; these extraordinary stories are simply unputdownable.

Genres: Short Stories

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children's authors and a top novelist. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was seventeen which won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written several novellas, over 500 short stories, as well as various essays and poems, all of which have established him as one of the best-loved and most admired chroniclers of contemporary India. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for English writing, for his short stories collection, "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra", by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's literature. He now lives with his adopted family in Landour near Mussoorie.

Reviews

[Kasturi Dadhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

When life gets tough and everything seems adverse, reading Bond reminds the reader of simple joys and pleasures life has to offer even in turmoil. Easy emotions and innocent relationships help you waddle in the most difficult and dire circumstances, is what reading Bond reiterates. Not for nothing that Ruskin Bond remains a favourite for all ages.

[Debalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing better than a Christmas morning partially spent reading Ruskin Bond. Winter, a hot steaming cup of chai made my ma, an unopened newspaper and a date with Rusty.

Though this was most different of the usual flavour of Ruskin Bond. I have read so much of him that it is really difficult to find books, especially short story and diary collections, that I haven't read sometime. Only after reading a few pages you realise if the story is known or not. This was totally fresh.

Review coming soon.

Happy reading & Merry Christmas! :)

[Dilip Chauhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Ruskin Bond books are just beautiful 🥰

[Shiny Ajit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Escape from Java & Other Tales of Danger

Escape from Java & Other Tales of Danger is a gripping collection of survival stories that capture the resilience of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The earthquake tale vividly portrays the devastation ., where families lose everything and must rebuild from scratch. The grandfather and children embody hope and determination, inspiring readers to persevere through life's tremors. In "Riding Through Flames," Romi and Theju’s daring escape from a forest fire highlights the courage of youth and the plight of displaced animals, while also reflecting on the hardships of schooling in earlier times. Another tale follows Sita’s adventurous journey through a flooded forest during World War II, blending historical tension with personal bravery. Each story in the collection is a testament to the human spirit, survival, and the will to overcome danger.

[Darshna Rekha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Thoughts From the Book

Why we should keep the Gifts from Escape from Java

'Who knows? But he gave it to you with love, and love is like a prayer. So keep it carefully.'

Humans being Human from The Island in the River

She had always loved the river. Why was it threatening her now? She remembered the doll and thought, 'If I can be so careless with someone I have made, how can I expect the gods to notice me?'

[Shihab Perumpulliyil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart warming stories

[Monica Prabhakar]

A very light book. One can get to know the changllenges people face during natural disasters!

[Jay Vikram · Rating 5 out of 5]

of course this...

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger, mystery, crime, courage...........it has it all. This book is one of my favourites by Ruskin Bond because I really enjoy reading short stories and especially those which are very thrilling. My favourite one was the one about the earthquake in Shilong and what happened to the families who lived there. Then there was another about a kid and his father's escape from Java when bombs were being thrown there. It was really fun because Ruskin Bond usually writes about Rusty goes to school etc. I recommend this book to people who love reading about danger like me !

[Arnav · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really couldn't get the main point of the story,but I liked the story Escape from Java.

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruskin Bond's simple and lucid writing with earth touching moments at its best! I especially liked he last story!

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stories including one extract, interesting story collection form the author.

[Bani Kanta]

nice book

[Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of ordinary children caught up in real-life traumatic incidents and overcoming odds with valour. Simple yet effective writing.