What do you think?
Rate this book
Small Towns, Big Stories
Small Towns, Big Stories showcases twenty-one stories of small-town life by the country’s greatest living chronicler of the Indian heartland.
Ruskin Bond has been writing evocative stories about the dusty towns and settlements in the hinterland for decades but this is the first time his finest stories on the theme have been brought together in a single volume. Timeless classics like ‘Time Stops at Shamli’, ‘Bus Stop, Pipalnagar’, and ‘The Night Train at Deoli’ rub shoulders with brilliant new stories that have never been published before like ‘Strychnine in the Cognac’, ‘The Horseshoe’ and ‘When the Clock Strikes Thirteen’. Vibrant, poignant, beautiful and tragic, these stories show a master storyteller at the height of his powers.
Ruskin Bond has been writing evocative stories about the dusty towns and settlements in the hinterland for decades but this is the first time his finest stories on the theme have been brought together in a single volume. Timeless classics like ‘Time Stops at Shamli’, ‘Bus Stop, Pipalnagar’, and ‘The Night Train at Deoli’ rub shoulders with brilliant new stories that have never been published before like ‘Strychnine in the Cognac’, ‘The Horseshoe’ and ‘When the Clock Strikes Thirteen’. Vibrant, poignant, beautiful and tragic, these stories show a master storyteller at the height of his powers.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
190 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2017
54 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
680 books3,557 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 35 reviews
December 24, 2021
Ruskin Bond is a name that is not confined to any introduction. Only he can bring out the depth of emotion with such simplicity and subtleness, just like, in a story titled- “ Time Stops at Samli “ he penned-
“I looked at the girl’s fair round face and in her bright eyes I saw something old and wise. And I looked into the old man’s wise eyes, and saw something forever bright and young.”
In a very simple manner, a well-described reflection of insightfulness can only be accomplished by Ruskin Bond.
Moreover, when he wrote-
“And then we’ll be famous and our troubles will be over and new troubles will begin.”
How beautifully he jotted down the basic ongoing cycle of life’s turmoils and the feeling of achieving the outcome of a problem, just to be prepared to enter into another one and that's how it goes on.
This novel is a collection of many heartfelt and grounded short stories, once through with them will leave you somewhere in the hills with a feeling of nostalgia and belongingness. And that makes Ruskin Bond an exceptional author.
“I looked at the girl’s fair round face and in her bright eyes I saw something old and wise. And I looked into the old man’s wise eyes, and saw something forever bright and young.”
In a very simple manner, a well-described reflection of insightfulness can only be accomplished by Ruskin Bond.
Moreover, when he wrote-
“And then we’ll be famous and our troubles will be over and new troubles will begin.”
How beautifully he jotted down the basic ongoing cycle of life’s turmoils and the feeling of achieving the outcome of a problem, just to be prepared to enter into another one and that's how it goes on.
This novel is a collection of many heartfelt and grounded short stories, once through with them will leave you somewhere in the hills with a feeling of nostalgia and belongingness. And that makes Ruskin Bond an exceptional author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2017
There is a familiar magic in the stories written by Ruskin Bond. Reading and rereading them takes me to the time and the town that homes him. The serene landscapes he writes about and his relationships with the folks around him have had a great impression on me as a reader. This book is just an another addition in his treasure chest. These stories have helped me learn the art of observing and appreciating the little joys of life, the kind of joy that we get through the people around us and the place that makes us, very precious.
July 9, 2017
Every town, small or big has something to say. A story has always been in the heart of a town. It just needs a listener and a storyteller who could tell it’s tales to the world.
‘Small Towns Big Stories’ is a collection of 21 short stories. Stories that came from the small towns of India and the story teller who penned down these stories is Mr. Ruskin Bond who needs no introduction.
The stories do not fall in to any particular genre. The story ‘The Big Race’ is a story of a girl Koki who is ten years old and tiptoed in the early morning from the house with a dumpy rhino beetle in a cardboard box for a race. Another story ‘The time stops at Shamli’ is about a man of thirty six years old who steps down from the train to look behind the walls of station of Shamli on his way to Saharanpur.
Stories like such and other completes the book. Book too has memoires chapters from the life of the author which has incidents of ghosts’ rumors in hills and few others. Few of the stories are published in various publications from the time author starts penning stories in his earliest times of writing career, are too gathered in this book.
Reading stories from Ruskin Bond is always a delight. He has been writing from more than sixty five years. Whenever I came across his work, I could not resist reading. Need not to say anything else; the book itself has stories waiting to be told from small towns which have bigger stories concealed in there heart.
https://thereviewauthor.wordpress.com/
‘Small Towns Big Stories’ is a collection of 21 short stories. Stories that came from the small towns of India and the story teller who penned down these stories is Mr. Ruskin Bond who needs no introduction.
The stories do not fall in to any particular genre. The story ‘The Big Race’ is a story of a girl Koki who is ten years old and tiptoed in the early morning from the house with a dumpy rhino beetle in a cardboard box for a race. Another story ‘The time stops at Shamli’ is about a man of thirty six years old who steps down from the train to look behind the walls of station of Shamli on his way to Saharanpur.
Stories like such and other completes the book. Book too has memoires chapters from the life of the author which has incidents of ghosts’ rumors in hills and few others. Few of the stories are published in various publications from the time author starts penning stories in his earliest times of writing career, are too gathered in this book.
Reading stories from Ruskin Bond is always a delight. He has been writing from more than sixty five years. Whenever I came across his work, I could not resist reading. Need not to say anything else; the book itself has stories waiting to be told from small towns which have bigger stories concealed in there heart.
https://thereviewauthor.wordpress.com/
November 12, 2018
This book is a thing of beauty and has the newest collection of Mr.Bond's short story works.
21 different stories decorate this book with the beautiful hardcover that oozes the vibes of small villages covered with year's first soothing snowfall bringing nostalgic feelings.Check blog for list of stories.
As always Ruskin Bond's stories revolve around beautiful hilly regions describing the best of nature's gift to us . I have read "The Night train at Deoli "earlier in another book but all the other stories in this one are new to me . Some I have devoured with pleasure within couple of days and keeping few stories to be cherished later slowly.
21 different stories decorate this book with the beautiful hardcover that oozes the vibes of small villages covered with year's first soothing snowfall bringing nostalgic feelings.Check blog for list of stories.
As always Ruskin Bond's stories revolve around beautiful hilly regions describing the best of nature's gift to us . I have read "The Night train at Deoli "earlier in another book but all the other stories in this one are new to me . Some I have devoured with pleasure within couple of days and keeping few stories to be cherished later slowly.
July 20, 2021
I need to re-read this when I go to my native town in the hills. 4.5 stars, some heart warming stories from pockets of India. Ruskin Bond simultaneously talks of his personal experiences and weaves them into stories a few chapters later. Reading this during lockdown is particularly wanderlust inducing. Feel like taking a train or bus to nowhere.
March 23, 2023
Small Towns Big Stories
Ruskin Bond - Rating 3.75/5
This small book comprises of 21 stories by Ruskin Bond. 'A long walk for Bina', 'TIme stops at Shamli', 'Bus stop at Pipalnagar', 'Grandfather's earthquake' are some of the prominent one's which are my favorite too.
Few stories are new and there is one sequence or context, which is appearing in two stories in the same book!. Overall I enjoyed the stories, many of them which I had read years ago. Each time, I go back to the hills via these stories of Ruskin Bond, but this time, not only I went back to the hills but I could also go back to the time when I had read these stories, few years back to be precise. I could imagine my own self, lugging around with a kindle and reading Ruskin Bond books, while a good whole year just passed by.
I often turn to Ruskin Bond when I miss the hills, when I miss a long hiking and backpacking trip amidst the hills, when I miss the hospitality of the hill people, when I miss the simple meal of Daal Chawal that can be so refreshing and energizing amidst the hills. I am happy I have many more Ruskin Bond books pending to be read, else what would I have done.
Amongst PG Wodehouse, RK Narayan, Ruskin Bond for comfort reads, I am more often than not turning to Ruskin Bond. There is no social enquiry as such amongst the stories which is prominent. But if one looks carefully, there are messages among the stories which stand out and endure across years and generations. Be it the amount of greenery/forests back then versus now (deforestation), the amount of vehicles back then versus people preferring to walk back then versus now, be it the value people gave to friendships back then versus now, where money takes precedence, food back then verus now.
I may be incorrect in many of the above quoted comparisons, because I write and see things from the plains, 'A plains' perspective to be precise', among the hills things may be or I hope rather are different and opposite when it comes to friendships and exercise.
Simple yet profound these stories by Ruskin Bond are very much likeable and can be re-read again and again. I feel it just needs me to put myself in the shoes of any hill resident and then I get to soak in the slow lifestyle of the hills only to wake up when the book gets over. What more could be an equally perfect escape to the hills except being on a actual backpacking trip. I am glad I can do the former easily at my own time and I do hope the latter becomes even more doable soon.
Cheers,
Ruskin Bond - Rating 3.75/5
This small book comprises of 21 stories by Ruskin Bond. 'A long walk for Bina', 'TIme stops at Shamli', 'Bus stop at Pipalnagar', 'Grandfather's earthquake' are some of the prominent one's which are my favorite too.
Few stories are new and there is one sequence or context, which is appearing in two stories in the same book!. Overall I enjoyed the stories, many of them which I had read years ago. Each time, I go back to the hills via these stories of Ruskin Bond, but this time, not only I went back to the hills but I could also go back to the time when I had read these stories, few years back to be precise. I could imagine my own self, lugging around with a kindle and reading Ruskin Bond books, while a good whole year just passed by.
I often turn to Ruskin Bond when I miss the hills, when I miss a long hiking and backpacking trip amidst the hills, when I miss the hospitality of the hill people, when I miss the simple meal of Daal Chawal that can be so refreshing and energizing amidst the hills. I am happy I have many more Ruskin Bond books pending to be read, else what would I have done.
Amongst PG Wodehouse, RK Narayan, Ruskin Bond for comfort reads, I am more often than not turning to Ruskin Bond. There is no social enquiry as such amongst the stories which is prominent. But if one looks carefully, there are messages among the stories which stand out and endure across years and generations. Be it the amount of greenery/forests back then versus now (deforestation), the amount of vehicles back then versus people preferring to walk back then versus now, be it the value people gave to friendships back then versus now, where money takes precedence, food back then verus now.
I may be incorrect in many of the above quoted comparisons, because I write and see things from the plains, 'A plains' perspective to be precise', among the hills things may be or I hope rather are different and opposite when it comes to friendships and exercise.
Simple yet profound these stories by Ruskin Bond are very much likeable and can be re-read again and again. I feel it just needs me to put myself in the shoes of any hill resident and then I get to soak in the slow lifestyle of the hills only to wake up when the book gets over. What more could be an equally perfect escape to the hills except being on a actual backpacking trip. I am glad I can do the former easily at my own time and I do hope the latter becomes even more doable soon.
Cheers,
December 29, 2021
Book title - Small Towns , Big Stories
Format - Kindle
Review
The book is a beautiful collection of 21 short stories . The stories are an assortment of different genres, worth reading and contemplating about. Each story leaves a reader's mind with many thoughts about the described situation and the philosophy of life. There are some stories which add a smile , while some incidents make the reader sad , too.
The nature , especially the rivers and mountains are beautifully described .
Some of my favourite quotes from the book:
1) The eyes are the true reflection of a man's age and sensibilities .
- Ruskin Bond
2) It's courage, not luck that takes us through to the end of the road .
- Ruskin Bond
Written in a splendid Ruskin Bond style of simple language , wit , humour , spontaneity , the book will enhance a reader's love for reading .
Format - Kindle
Review
The book is a beautiful collection of 21 short stories . The stories are an assortment of different genres, worth reading and contemplating about. Each story leaves a reader's mind with many thoughts about the described situation and the philosophy of life. There are some stories which add a smile , while some incidents make the reader sad , too.
The nature , especially the rivers and mountains are beautifully described .
Some of my favourite quotes from the book:
1) The eyes are the true reflection of a man's age and sensibilities .
- Ruskin Bond
2) It's courage, not luck that takes us through to the end of the road .
- Ruskin Bond
Written in a splendid Ruskin Bond style of simple language , wit , humour , spontaneity , the book will enhance a reader's love for reading .
January 5, 2018
Read the complete review here
http://www.meotherwise.com/small-town...
Bond has lived for years in Landour and Mussorie. The hills serve as an inspiration and form the backdrop of most of his stories. Small Towns, Big Stories is the finest of stories of towns, of people unknown and places unheard. Straight from the heart, Bond sketches the unpredictability of life, shades of human nature, and the colors of nature amidst this.
The compilation includes some of his earlier works such as The Big Race, The Visitor, and the most popular The Night Train at Deoli. These stories have been written by Bond in his early twenties. It also comprises of some fresh ones, that haven’t been published before. Stories well narrated, in true Bond style, they are a pleasure to read. Bond’s writing does have a predictable pattern. But I feel this is his strength. His stories are always maintained simple. The compilation has variety. From speaking about the ghosts of the hill stations and haunted houses, Bond also takes you on a mesmerizing journey to Kipling’s Shimla. He gives a glimpse of the sensational crimes a little town could witness and, what elections and voting could mean to a small place such as Barlowganj.
http://www.meotherwise.com/small-town...
Bond has lived for years in Landour and Mussorie. The hills serve as an inspiration and form the backdrop of most of his stories. Small Towns, Big Stories is the finest of stories of towns, of people unknown and places unheard. Straight from the heart, Bond sketches the unpredictability of life, shades of human nature, and the colors of nature amidst this.
The compilation includes some of his earlier works such as The Big Race, The Visitor, and the most popular The Night Train at Deoli. These stories have been written by Bond in his early twenties. It also comprises of some fresh ones, that haven’t been published before. Stories well narrated, in true Bond style, they are a pleasure to read. Bond’s writing does have a predictable pattern. But I feel this is his strength. His stories are always maintained simple. The compilation has variety. From speaking about the ghosts of the hill stations and haunted houses, Bond also takes you on a mesmerizing journey to Kipling’s Shimla. He gives a glimpse of the sensational crimes a little town could witness and, what elections and voting could mean to a small place such as Barlowganj.
September 28, 2022
Classic Ruskin Bond read. All 21 stories captures the essence of small town characters, their daily life and the charm hidden behind. There are so many mentions of varied flowers and plants which I never knew about. Being a plant fanatic, I learnt a lot of new species. Not just that, it also showcases how we can find joys from little things in life. We are all made up by the people around us and the place we have been brought up in. One cannot remove that core part from yourself and the stories showcase the same, that the core stays with you. Its very easy to just imagine yourself being in Pratapnagar looking out for big giant lizards or walking with Bina to school while a mother leopard watches over your shoulders. It is amusing how the stories overlap each other and certain points where the characters are the same but in a different setting.
August 28, 2024
I’ve been overthinking a lot while reading this book, constantly overanalyzing the story and imagining unnecessarily dark plot twists. For example, in the story “Up to the Spiral Staircase,” I started wondering if the main character, the boy, was being used by the gardener as a messenger to the queen so that the gardener could secretly have a dangerous affair with her. Similarly, in the story about Shamli, I speculated that the heroine might have been manipulating the main character, trying to push him away by giving him hopes of eloping because he was stalking her even after her marriage.
I really need answers, but I’m too afraid to ask online since very few people have read this old book. It seems like no one on Reddit has posted their interpretations or thoughts about it.
I really need answers, but I’m too afraid to ask online since very few people have read this old book. It seems like no one on Reddit has posted their interpretations or thoughts about it.
January 1, 2018
Would not rate this less than five stars but seriously, why publishers are so keen on repackaging the old stories again and again ? They should either put diaclaimer or put index of stories on book description.
Whatever. Apart from that, some more beautiful stories which again makes me to log on to travel sites and search for packages to Mussoorie. Especially last 50 or so pages contain most perfect words and tales.
Whatever. Apart from that, some more beautiful stories which again makes me to log on to travel sites and search for packages to Mussoorie. Especially last 50 or so pages contain most perfect words and tales.
May 16, 2023
Out of the 21 stories featured in this book, only a handful (2-3) were unfamiliar to me as I had previously encountered the remaining 19 in various other books . Despite this, I found great delight in reading the fresh narratives and revisiting the familiar ones. It would have been immensely helpful while buying on Amazon, a detailed list of included stories are provided, allowing readers to make more informed purchasing decisions.
October 19, 2024
Els relats d’en Ruskin Bond, un dels escriptors indis més estimats. Va viure de jove a Londres, però va preferir tornar al seu país natal, a un poble a les muntanyes on crearia el seu propi univers. Entre la ficció i la crònica, inventant pobles que haurien pogut existir.
November 21, 2025
Okayish fo the first time i dint like the collection . There were multiple stories i skipped but its alright , its juts the theme of the stories didn’t sit well with me . Rest I love sior’s wiritng anyways :)
September 18, 2017
Small cute stories which touch our hearts! :) Perfect thing to read at small breaks.
October 6, 2017
3 words for this masterpiece....Gold, Rich & Terrific
March 1, 2018
The writing left me wanting to go to all places described. A beautiful read.
June 10, 2018
A truly beautiful read.
February 21, 2019
Forever Ruskin Bond
The flow of words outs the reader in the frame as if I am following the characters. That's the magic of Ruskin Bond!
The flow of words outs the reader in the frame as if I am following the characters. That's the magic of Ruskin Bond!
June 21, 2019
Humour filled stories
Not many times we will read humourous short stories but this collection had many. Loved each story my favourite being the "lizards tail"
Not many times we will read humourous short stories but this collection had many. Loved each story my favourite being the "lizards tail"
October 7, 2019
If you are a person who likes it simple and loves those little things in life then these stories are for you.
September 3, 2020
Loved almost every story
I skipped one or two , might read in future :)
I skipped one or two , might read in future :)
November 8, 2020
Simplicity....something magical in his books this book is a tale of short stories.....bbeautifully written
July 4, 2021
Anything is written by Ruskin Bond is beautiful. Love everything about his books. He has become my favourite author ❤️
September 29, 2021
This is absolutely a great book. This book is a collection of 21 short stories. As the title says these stories take place in small towns. Each story will cherish you to the fullest.
Recommended to those who are seeking a good, rich and light read.
Recommended to those who are seeking a good, rich and light read.
August 21, 2022
Now I'm going to end up reading all of Ruskin's book.
November 15, 2023
Loved the stories!
they were a bit repetitive though
they were a bit repetitive though
October 11, 2020
The warmth, nostalgia and simplicity of human connections in small towns is endearing, yet realistic.
March 4, 2019
A good collection of short stories; a few of them are similar, maybe they were written in the same period, however, besides being a good novelist, Ruskin Bond is also a good short story writer.
July 18, 2017
‘Small Towns, Big Stories’ is a collection of 21 short stories written by Ruskin Bond. Some of the stories in the collection are never published before, while some of them are the most cherished ones.
*Review
While children grow up reading books by Ruskin Bond, this was my first book by Ruskin Bond. The reason being I didn’t read any books during my childhood & early adolescent. But after reading this book, I know why Bond is favorite among children.
The stories in this collection provide a soothing effect. We get a pleasant feeling while reading the stories & even after reading them. I was looking for something light, after reading ‘Angels & Demons’- which has a quite exhausting end. So, I picked up this collection & it did serve its purpose.
The stories featured in this collection are diverse in a sense, but still have a lot in common. There’s a sense of adventure in almost all the stories. Most stories have a young boy or girl in the centre. Some others have an ‘I’ character. The ones with ‘I’ character are semi- autobiographical. But as a reader, one fails to find out where & when the line between the fact and fiction is crossed by the author.
I loved reading all the stories.They are of varying length ranging from 2 pages to 30 pages. What I didn’t like about the collection is the recurring episodes. Railway Platforms of small towns, a brook in the jungle, rumors of a Leopard roaming around, a young boy selling assorted items keep appearing again & again.
I feel this book is not meant to be read in a single seating. The best way would be reading 2-3 stories at a time & yielding the pleasure gradually. Perhaps, the recurring episodes won’t bother that way.
My favorite ones from the collection are The Night Train at Deoli, Time Stops at Shamli, The Tail of the Lizard, The Funeral and A Long Walk for Bina. The stories in this collection are more suited for teenagers & children. But if an adult reader picks up this book, he might end up feeling nostalgic. So, I feel anyone can give it a try.
My Rating: ****(4/5)
*Review
While children grow up reading books by Ruskin Bond, this was my first book by Ruskin Bond. The reason being I didn’t read any books during my childhood & early adolescent. But after reading this book, I know why Bond is favorite among children.
The stories in this collection provide a soothing effect. We get a pleasant feeling while reading the stories & even after reading them. I was looking for something light, after reading ‘Angels & Demons’- which has a quite exhausting end. So, I picked up this collection & it did serve its purpose.
The stories featured in this collection are diverse in a sense, but still have a lot in common. There’s a sense of adventure in almost all the stories. Most stories have a young boy or girl in the centre. Some others have an ‘I’ character. The ones with ‘I’ character are semi- autobiographical. But as a reader, one fails to find out where & when the line between the fact and fiction is crossed by the author.
I loved reading all the stories.They are of varying length ranging from 2 pages to 30 pages. What I didn’t like about the collection is the recurring episodes. Railway Platforms of small towns, a brook in the jungle, rumors of a Leopard roaming around, a young boy selling assorted items keep appearing again & again.
I feel this book is not meant to be read in a single seating. The best way would be reading 2-3 stories at a time & yielding the pleasure gradually. Perhaps, the recurring episodes won’t bother that way.
My favorite ones from the collection are The Night Train at Deoli, Time Stops at Shamli, The Tail of the Lizard, The Funeral and A Long Walk for Bina. The stories in this collection are more suited for teenagers & children. But if an adult reader picks up this book, he might end up feeling nostalgic. So, I feel anyone can give it a try.
My Rating: ****(4/5)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews