What do you think?
Rate this book
Potpourri
Ruskin Bond s Potpourri is a collection of his choicest stories from his treasure trove. Covering an array of themes horror, romance, humour, crime, and mystery? These tales from the undisputable master storyteller form an eclectic blend in this book. Bond presents an evocative and affectionate memoir of vignettes of life in Mussoorie and other places he has visited, and introduces us to a rich cast of characters? His family, friends, and those who have left a lasting impression on him.
The stories with their diverse themes and flavours try to paint a realistic portrait of life, peppered as it is with multiple hues. As such, it condenses the pleasure of almost ten books in one. While he said It with Arsenic lends a wicked touch, Love and Cricket adds a dash of romance to the compilation; The Overcoat takes us on a supernatural trip, while The Girl on the Train, with its sudden twists, snaps us out of our humdrum existence.
The stories with their diverse themes and flavours try to paint a realistic portrait of life, peppered as it is with multiple hues. As such, it condenses the pleasure of almost ten books in one. While he said It with Arsenic lends a wicked touch, Love and Cricket adds a dash of romance to the compilation; The Overcoat takes us on a supernatural trip, while The Girl on the Train, with its sudden twists, snaps us out of our humdrum existence.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
68 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
678 books3,556 followersRuskin 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 13, 2024
Potpourri
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I have been reading Ruskin Bond books since 5 th grade ! Potpourri was like a ride from one story to another. It was like knowing a lot about Ruskin bonds life. He is indeed a master of storytelling. He manages to somehow keep you tied down til the last story. He writes simple and interesting stories but ends up giving a great message ! I really like the starting of story - that was one of my favourite stories out of this book
It is a short fiction book so i would really recommend you to it ! But ITS totally upto you besties 🫶🏻
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I would rate this 4/5 🌟
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I have been reading Ruskin Bond books since 5 th grade ! Potpourri was like a ride from one story to another. It was like knowing a lot about Ruskin bonds life. He is indeed a master of storytelling. He manages to somehow keep you tied down til the last story. He writes simple and interesting stories but ends up giving a great message ! I really like the starting of story - that was one of my favourite stories out of this book
It is a short fiction book so i would really recommend you to it ! But ITS totally upto you besties 🫶🏻
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I would rate this 4/5 🌟
June 24, 2018
It's a collection of short stories, most of which are light horror.
I'm glad I picked it up. Was a nice, quick, enjoyable and light read.
I'm glad I picked it up. Was a nice, quick, enjoyable and light read.
May 17, 2021
''There are no fresh starts in life, but there are always new directions.''
Potpourri, by Ruskin Bond, is a compilation of his 23 short stories and 5 poems, tales served to us as memoirs and vignettes of his life covering an array of themes.
Before reading this book, I looked up its title on google and found out that Potpourri is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials, used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl. Like his nature, Bond’s stories are different kinds of flowers arranged in a book. Like every flower, his stories will attract you, filling your life with more freshness as you roll the pages of its book.
It’s the simplicity of his writing that makes the narrative so powerful. A servant making the bed ready for his boss every day, waiting for his return everyday, only to return to go fishing with him like they used to earlier will give you a glimpse of what loyalty is all about.
Book includes the tale of Bitter gooseberries (from Burma), comic tale - A job Well done - Dhuki (The gardener) and baba secretly digging someone in the well and planting new flowers on the just covered well, a dreaded description of the Assam earthquake, then there is included the physcological Mussoorie mystery with its occult elements which makes the story a sinister read.
His stories have an element of sweet mystery in them like the story of the pool in Rajpur where he advises the reader not to swim in that pool, or another being of Kiran, gliding along the dark oak forests to get her revenge in - The eyes of a cat, some adventurous tales like At sea with Uncle ken where when Uncle Ken left at an Egyptian port unites with Bond after four long years and many more tales that fills your mind with awe and wonder.
One story that delighted me in his sea of tales were the story of a zigzag walk invented by his Uncle Ken. He always advised Bond to move in a Zig Zag fashion for The zigzag way is the diagonal between heart and reason. Posterity would recognise the true value of zigzagging. He wishes to go across the stars and be a space traveller and go from star to star, zigzagging across the Milky Way. When you zigzag, you are not choosing what to see in this world but you are giving the world a chance to see you!'
Bond, with his wit, emphasizes on dealing with failure— putting it behind and carrying on with what you're doing and trying to do it well. Just stick to what you know you could do well and what you wanted to do most. And with that came will come a measure of happiness. And in that happy frame of mind, You will be able to deal with all the little failures that will come your way. They are road-blocks. You do not retreat from a road-block; you make your way around it, or look for another route to where you are going. There are no fresh starts in life, but there are always new directions.
Yet again, this book serves as the collector’s edition and treat for all his fans and young readers; filled with warmth and gentle humour, this book captures the timeless rhythm of life in mountains, adventures at sea, and thrill in an alien land.
Potpourri, by Ruskin Bond, is a compilation of his 23 short stories and 5 poems, tales served to us as memoirs and vignettes of his life covering an array of themes.
Before reading this book, I looked up its title on google and found out that Potpourri is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials, used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl. Like his nature, Bond’s stories are different kinds of flowers arranged in a book. Like every flower, his stories will attract you, filling your life with more freshness as you roll the pages of its book.
It’s the simplicity of his writing that makes the narrative so powerful. A servant making the bed ready for his boss every day, waiting for his return everyday, only to return to go fishing with him like they used to earlier will give you a glimpse of what loyalty is all about.
Book includes the tale of Bitter gooseberries (from Burma), comic tale - A job Well done - Dhuki (The gardener) and baba secretly digging someone in the well and planting new flowers on the just covered well, a dreaded description of the Assam earthquake, then there is included the physcological Mussoorie mystery with its occult elements which makes the story a sinister read.
His stories have an element of sweet mystery in them like the story of the pool in Rajpur where he advises the reader not to swim in that pool, or another being of Kiran, gliding along the dark oak forests to get her revenge in - The eyes of a cat, some adventurous tales like At sea with Uncle ken where when Uncle Ken left at an Egyptian port unites with Bond after four long years and many more tales that fills your mind with awe and wonder.
One story that delighted me in his sea of tales were the story of a zigzag walk invented by his Uncle Ken. He always advised Bond to move in a Zig Zag fashion for The zigzag way is the diagonal between heart and reason. Posterity would recognise the true value of zigzagging. He wishes to go across the stars and be a space traveller and go from star to star, zigzagging across the Milky Way. When you zigzag, you are not choosing what to see in this world but you are giving the world a chance to see you!'
Bond, with his wit, emphasizes on dealing with failure— putting it behind and carrying on with what you're doing and trying to do it well. Just stick to what you know you could do well and what you wanted to do most. And with that came will come a measure of happiness. And in that happy frame of mind, You will be able to deal with all the little failures that will come your way. They are road-blocks. You do not retreat from a road-block; you make your way around it, or look for another route to where you are going. There are no fresh starts in life, but there are always new directions.
Yet again, this book serves as the collector’s edition and treat for all his fans and young readers; filled with warmth and gentle humour, this book captures the timeless rhythm of life in mountains, adventures at sea, and thrill in an alien land.
October 31, 2016
So about this book, this was my first Ruskin bond book. And i have to say i really liked it. It doesn't belong to one genre, it comprises of horror, romance, supernatural, magic and what not. Ruskin bond writes in a way that's easy to understand even for someone who is a novice at reading. His short stories are real gem. Potpourri was like a ride from one story to another. It was like knowing a lot about Ruskin bonds life. He is indeed a master of storytelling. He manages to somehow keep you tied down til the last story. My personal favourites of all was 'the girl on the train', 'the overcoat' and 'he said it with Arsenic'. If you haven't read any books of him, please do. You really are missing out on things. I long to now read more of his works. It was indeed a treat for me.
April 6, 2020
Such a confused book of short stories! 🤔
June 6, 2013
A 4 of 5 because Ruskin deserves atleast a four.
The book cannot be classified under any genre, it has a bit of everything. Best read is a train journey.
Suggested to all Ruskin bond lovers.
The book cannot be classified under any genre, it has a bit of everything. Best read is a train journey.
Suggested to all Ruskin bond lovers.
Read
April 29, 2023POTPOURRI is a literal potpourri rumbling with a collection of twenty-eight selected short stories penned by Ruskin Bond, and dotted with snippets from his childhood memoirs, diaries and accounts of his travels & excursions across cities like Java, Batavia, Shimla, Shillong, Mussoorie and more.
The book unfolds into a series of chapters rolling with a medley of themes, from horror to autobiographical memoir to comic and even poetry. Each story sprouts and spurs with the perfume of nostalgia and with the aroma of hilly woodlands.
Many of these stories feature real-life places and settings, elaborating upon the simple everyday experiences in a kind of storytelling that is as beautiful as lighthearted. So much so that, if you’re an avid reader, the book can be read in one effortless go, yet most probably, it will leave you craving to read more stories of this fashion.
The book is a cable-car ride into the valley of childhood memories; a classic treat that is as refreshing to the mind as rejoicing to the heart. I immensely enjoyed delving into the book!
http://www.nehasnotebook.com/
The book unfolds into a series of chapters rolling with a medley of themes, from horror to autobiographical memoir to comic and even poetry. Each story sprouts and spurs with the perfume of nostalgia and with the aroma of hilly woodlands.
Many of these stories feature real-life places and settings, elaborating upon the simple everyday experiences in a kind of storytelling that is as beautiful as lighthearted. So much so that, if you’re an avid reader, the book can be read in one effortless go, yet most probably, it will leave you craving to read more stories of this fashion.
The book is a cable-car ride into the valley of childhood memories; a classic treat that is as refreshing to the mind as rejoicing to the heart. I immensely enjoyed delving into the book!
http://www.nehasnotebook.com/
December 22, 2019
I am glad that the first Ruskin Bond book I read is actually a collection of "choicest stories from the treasure trove of the indisputable master story teller." What great fun it is to discover a wonderful new writer, new to me, but one who has stuck to his craft for decades, before finally finding recognition.
The ghost stories, are really short but filled with minimal detail, leaving the rest to the imagination of the reader while igniting that sinking, scared feeling in the pit of your stomach. I particularly enjoyed "Gone Fishing" and "The Overcoat".
The memoir pieces "Escape from Java" and "Our Great Escape" are lovely, told lovingly without pretension. The comedy pieces are real treats, "The Zigzag Walk" and "At Sea with Uncle Ken" being my favorite stories.
This book features the now well-known "Susanna's Seven Husbands", the story that gave the idea for "Saat Khoon Maaf" starring Priyanka Chopra as Susanna.
The real gems are the poems. I insist that you read this book, whether you have read Ruskin Bond before this or not.
The ghost stories, are really short but filled with minimal detail, leaving the rest to the imagination of the reader while igniting that sinking, scared feeling in the pit of your stomach. I particularly enjoyed "Gone Fishing" and "The Overcoat".
The memoir pieces "Escape from Java" and "Our Great Escape" are lovely, told lovingly without pretension. The comedy pieces are real treats, "The Zigzag Walk" and "At Sea with Uncle Ken" being my favorite stories.
This book features the now well-known "Susanna's Seven Husbands", the story that gave the idea for "Saat Khoon Maaf" starring Priyanka Chopra as Susanna.
The real gems are the poems. I insist that you read this book, whether you have read Ruskin Bond before this or not.
May 8, 2020
Loved it exactly for the fact that it was such simple, heart felt words. The way Ruskin Bond connects with nature makes me feel like I am Part of those stories. His simplicity is his biggest asset, and he uses it to bestow profound wisdom upon his readers. I'll say it again for good measure, I loved it.
August 1, 2020
It's my first book by Ruskin Bond. It's a collection of short stories and like all the other collections it has its share of good stories and average stories. Also there are 2-3 poems. The stories are a mix of supernatural and some magical elements. I only enjoyed 3 or 4 stories but didn't like the most of them.
September 11, 2017
It's a good book for novices. The style of prose, which Ruskin has, is surely unique. It's a treat to read him. Not all stories are that fascinating. Some of the stories are remarkably enrapturing. All in all, it's a good book to read.
September 25, 2020
One Story A Day. Beautiful and conversational
Perfect 5 star ✨ Loved the conversational writing, never feels trudging while reading.
I always read Ruskin Bond to ease myself, As I have to heave a lot with academics.
Perfect 5 star ✨ Loved the conversational writing, never feels trudging while reading.
I always read Ruskin Bond to ease myself, As I have to heave a lot with academics.
May 18, 2017
The more you get involved in the book, the more closer you get to the nature. Hats off to Rusty!
June 15, 2018
Another great book
A nice read. The stories are warm and you can read them any time of the day whenever you are free. I am a big fan of Mr Bond's writing
A nice read. The stories are warm and you can read them any time of the day whenever you are free. I am a big fan of Mr Bond's writing
August 19, 2018
Nice short stories
Nice short stories, loved few stories and told them to my small kid he loved them too.. Few stories were ok..
Nice short stories, loved few stories and told them to my small kid he loved them too.. Few stories were ok..
August 26, 2018
Best of Ruskin Stories..around Nature-Human, Animal and Environment
October 26, 2018
Quite a collection..
Typical ruskin bond book :)
A quick and an amusing read.
A must have book for every fan of Ruskin Bond
Typical ruskin bond book :)
A quick and an amusing read.
A must have book for every fan of Ruskin Bond
March 7, 2019
First time reading Ruskin Bond, I loved it. It's a wonderful collection of short stories of various genres. Easy read it was.
June 26, 2019
Excellent read
A very light and enjoyable read... Yet meaningful and deep! Ruskin bond always brings a smile to your face by his writings!
A very light and enjoyable read... Yet meaningful and deep! Ruskin bond always brings a smile to your face by his writings!
July 1, 2020
It is pure joy when you discover a good book. The happenings on the Pari Tibba, walk through the pine forest ....I just loved it. This is my first Ruskin Bond book and I am going for more.
June 7, 2021
Wow my first book from Ruskin bond liked it a lot. His horror story kept me gripped to the book. Beautiful depicted of mussourie. Beginner friendly.
June 14, 2023
A nice collection of almost all the nice stories by Rusty. I found it in our school library, and it was a decent read.
February 10, 2024
Ruskin bond is amazing and one of my favourite writers, he brings out the best of every little thing, but why do we get half of the stories repeated ? Why can’t he write more and more stories :(
October 4, 2016
Ruskin Bond has never written a bestseller. He says so himself in this book. Bestsellers are perhaps born out of marketing and Bond knows nothing of it. He is one of the handful of writers that stay away from social media, mostly because all they want to do is write and Bond does it beautifully. Each story is a delight and not a word is out of place or wasted.
Simple stories and simpler words do their magic in the hands and mind of Ruskin Bond. This book is one of the rarest treasures, a secret bundle of joy, a gift that I will pass on to future generations that will wonder and rightfully so, at a time and world that carried the magic of true story telling.
Simple stories and simpler words do their magic in the hands and mind of Ruskin Bond. This book is one of the rarest treasures, a secret bundle of joy, a gift that I will pass on to future generations that will wonder and rightfully so, at a time and world that carried the magic of true story telling.
July 22, 2024
"A question that always irritates me is, 'And are you still writing?'
It's like asking me if I'm still alive..."
Potpourri is a collection of carefully chosen stories from the indubitable connoisseur of storytelling, Ruskin Bond.
It consists some of his most evocative and engaging accounts of his life in Mussoorie;
and also some of his best fictional tales covering themes like horror, romance, humour, crime and mystery_ all butterflies in one bag.
I think everyone(in India)get to read some of Bond's work in the school text books, as he is known for his contribution to Children's literature. Although when I read the book it truly made me believe that why he is called master of storytelling.
The twist in 'The girl on the Train', the dark humour of 'the Susanna's Seven Husband' and 'He said it with Arsenic', is literally astounding.
The aspects of human psyche represented by 'Hanging at the Mango- Tope' and 'A job well done ', actually make us to muse on.
Bond has also given us the chance to dive into the briny of love and friendship through 'our great escape' , 'love and cricket' and 'escape from java' and 'Binya' passes by'.
He has profoundly admired the hills and the niche provided by them in his stories, in a way that also make us feel the beauty, just by reading.
The stories relating Uncle Ken is really amusing, he regaled the chucklesome reminiscences with him.
I certainly enjoyed the book and thinking to draw more from Bond's Pond(however there is a sea).
It's like asking me if I'm still alive..."
Potpourri is a collection of carefully chosen stories from the indubitable connoisseur of storytelling, Ruskin Bond.
It consists some of his most evocative and engaging accounts of his life in Mussoorie;
and also some of his best fictional tales covering themes like horror, romance, humour, crime and mystery_ all butterflies in one bag.
I think everyone(in India)get to read some of Bond's work in the school text books, as he is known for his contribution to Children's literature. Although when I read the book it truly made me believe that why he is called master of storytelling.
The twist in 'The girl on the Train', the dark humour of 'the Susanna's Seven Husband' and 'He said it with Arsenic', is literally astounding.
The aspects of human psyche represented by 'Hanging at the Mango- Tope' and 'A job well done ', actually make us to muse on.
Bond has also given us the chance to dive into the briny of love and friendship through 'our great escape' , 'love and cricket' and 'escape from java' and 'Binya' passes by'.
He has profoundly admired the hills and the niche provided by them in his stories, in a way that also make us feel the beauty, just by reading.
The stories relating Uncle Ken is really amusing, he regaled the chucklesome reminiscences with him.
I certainly enjoyed the book and thinking to draw more from Bond's Pond(however there is a sea).
February 25, 2023
7/10 stars
It was a good book. If you have read quite a few books of ruskin bond like 'night train at deoli', 'our trees still grow in dehra', 'time stops at shamli' etc then you may find some of stories that you have already read. And the other stories are also very average level. Some best stories here are 'the great escape' and 'love and cricket'. The other stories are good but not like ruskin bonds other stories.
It was a good book. If you have read quite a few books of ruskin bond like 'night train at deoli', 'our trees still grow in dehra', 'time stops at shamli' etc then you may find some of stories that you have already read. And the other stories are also very average level. Some best stories here are 'the great escape' and 'love and cricket'. The other stories are good but not like ruskin bonds other stories.
November 15, 2015
This is a series of short stories based on the life experience by one of India's finest English writer with a very simple and subtle way of putting things together. Ruskin bond style of writing is interestingly lazy, deep and even serious matters are also described at ease yet put forth a very strong sense of imagination and a long lasting impact. Very few or none I know of in present group of writers have a similar sense of writing although we have many great writers of different genre and style. The stories are short and could have been a bit longer. The stories at the end were more interesting and unpredictable. A good book to be read in one sitting.
November 4, 2012
Good.
A mix of stories.
I had read them in 2010 or 2011 and I keep turning to it occasionally.
A mix of stories.
I had read them in 2010 or 2011 and I keep turning to it occasionally.
August 26, 2013
Poems and love, ghosts and murders and bucketfuls of laughter. He has packed it all.
What a joy to pick up a Ruskin bond book again. Just to be a child again ..
What a joy to pick up a Ruskin bond book again. Just to be a child again ..
March 13, 2014
I have read a few of these stories before. But, the ones new to me are good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews