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The Beauty of All My Days: A Memoir [Hardcover] RUSKIN BOND
So here I am, delving into the past like Monsieur Poirot, not to solve a mystery, but to try to understand some of the events that have helped define the sort of person I have become. Some of it, naturally, is in the genes; but much of it is in the environment, in the circumstances in which we grow up, in the people who come into our lives, even in the air we breathe.
Had I grown up in London or Timbuktu, I would have been a different sort of person, I'm sure. My parents (and those before them) made me. But India made me too. The soil, the air, the wind, the rain, the trees, the grass, the proximity of people-all these things made me . . .
Different things at different times helped to make the individual that is me, just as different things at different times helped to make you, just as they went into making your brothers and sisters, who are very different from you.
'Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself,' said Walt Whitman.
Each chapter of this memoir is a remembrance of times past, an attempt to resurrect a person or a period or an episode, a reflection on the unpredictability of life. Some paths lead nowhere; others lead to a spring of pure water. Take any path and hope for the best. At least it will lead you out of the shadows.
Had I grown up in London or Timbuktu, I would have been a different sort of person, I'm sure. My parents (and those before them) made me. But India made me too. The soil, the air, the wind, the rain, the trees, the grass, the proximity of people-all these things made me . . .
Different things at different times helped to make the individual that is me, just as different things at different times helped to make you, just as they went into making your brothers and sisters, who are very different from you.
'Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself,' said Walt Whitman.
Each chapter of this memoir is a remembrance of times past, an attempt to resurrect a person or a period or an episode, a reflection on the unpredictability of life. Some paths lead nowhere; others lead to a spring of pure water. Take any path and hope for the best. At least it will lead you out of the shadows.
183 pages, Hardcover
Published August 21, 2018
20 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
680 books3,563 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 21, 2020
If you are a Ruskin Bond fan, this is a must have on your shelf. With many nice full page pics, the publishing quality is very good.
Content wise, this completes The Lone Fox Dancing.
Not following any chronological order, the musings are heartwarming to read.
As a standalone book, it is not that appealing.
Like many of his other books, there is no magic in anything specifically, yet reading the overall book feels magical.
Content wise, this completes The Lone Fox Dancing.
Not following any chronological order, the musings are heartwarming to read.
As a standalone book, it is not that appealing.
Like many of his other books, there is no magic in anything specifically, yet reading the overall book feels magical.
March 21, 2021
I have never enjoyed a book as much as this! Me, being a person who strongly believes that the older days were far more beautiful literally cried while reading this book. Mr. Bond reminisces about the older days and simpler times by narrating incidents and people. Picnic was a topic on which a chapter is based and as we think right now, who goes on picnics anymore? My question is why don't we? What has happened to us?
One of my reasons for loving his writing so much is the base of this book and thats why this is one of my most favourite book. Please give it a read, there's no way you won't love it. Also, do you see how beautiful the cover is💌
Simply splendid!
One of my reasons for loving his writing so much is the base of this book and thats why this is one of my most favourite book. Please give it a read, there's no way you won't love it. Also, do you see how beautiful the cover is💌
Simply splendid!
September 24, 2021
*AUDIOBOOK review*
Listened the whole book on Audible, narrated by Bhavin Joshi, excellent narration.
'The Beauty of All My Days' is one of the best, short and delightful memoir. If you're a Ruskin Bond fan, this has to have in your favourites list.
Author has empathy towards people, nature, animal, and places. A detailed description given in book is of keen interest.
People he came across with, their impact, learnings from them, and noticing every minor thing through eyes of writer makes Ruskin Bond a great writer.
As far as I've listened, I couldn't find any negative from this book. An absolute pleasure listening 🎧.
Listened the whole book on Audible, narrated by Bhavin Joshi, excellent narration.
'The Beauty of All My Days' is one of the best, short and delightful memoir. If you're a Ruskin Bond fan, this has to have in your favourites list.
Author has empathy towards people, nature, animal, and places. A detailed description given in book is of keen interest.
People he came across with, their impact, learnings from them, and noticing every minor thing through eyes of writer makes Ruskin Bond a great writer.
As far as I've listened, I couldn't find any negative from this book. An absolute pleasure listening 🎧.
November 24, 2019
To say this is the first book I've read of Ruskin Bond is not very flattering. Though I have met him as a character in one of the books long back (Keep off the grass by Karan Bajaj)
The Beauty of all my days is a genuine book. It does not do the two thing I hate about an author's autobiography - try to glorify the life of an author or make exceptional anecdotes of writing a book. Rather it reads like a fond reminiscence of places and people without getting too personal.
Ruskin Bond's love for India is well established through the chapters. I loved the way he let slip one or two personal bombshells almost non-chalantly between pages and never let it dominate. Also the almost comic way in which he talks of his vices. The book also shows the longing for the simpler days where he takes frequent jibes at today's lifestyle.
When you reach a particular age - you stop trying to make sense and accept things as they are. I think that age is when Mr.Bond has started writing this book.
A beautiful view from the window of his workshop.
The Beauty of all my days is a genuine book. It does not do the two thing I hate about an author's autobiography - try to glorify the life of an author or make exceptional anecdotes of writing a book. Rather it reads like a fond reminiscence of places and people without getting too personal.
Ruskin Bond's love for India is well established through the chapters. I loved the way he let slip one or two personal bombshells almost non-chalantly between pages and never let it dominate. Also the almost comic way in which he talks of his vices. The book also shows the longing for the simpler days where he takes frequent jibes at today's lifestyle.
When you reach a particular age - you stop trying to make sense and accept things as they are. I think that age is when Mr.Bond has started writing this book.
A beautiful view from the window of his workshop.
August 31, 2018
A beautiful collection of reminiscences from the master Ruskin Bond. This memoir is a must read for all Ruskin Bond fans. It has lovely photographs on almost every alternate page from the albums of the author. It is a soothing & beautiful read. I like the idea of Ruskin Bond calling 'God' as the 'Great Librarian'. If you are looking for more revelations about Ruskin Bond & his life then this is the book you should be reading. Well presented & well edited. A lovely memoir !
November 10, 2020
This book reminded me of middle school days, when a group of us were told to "adopt" a resident or two at the local retirement home and go round weekly and befriend--write letters, read aloud, make up for the fact that these elderly ladies had no visitors. Some had outlived everyone in their lives, others...well, for others it was obvious why no one came to visit. Then there were the ladies who would sit down with a box of aged, creased photographs and show you every one: "That's Billy in his wedding suit, doesn't he look handsome! Of course it never worked out, you know it couldn't..." forgetting that I had no idea who Billy was or who he married or why it was such a foregone conclusion it wasn't going to last.
Bond admits that there is no form or chronology to this meandering through his memories. The photos speak of grandsons, but apparently no wife or children. Who is Prem, or Beena? He often repeats himself without giving any real information about his life beyond several mentions of that trip to London in his twenties and his return to India, and passing mentions of people whose presence in his existence is never explained. I guess I'm supposed to know, but I don't.
The only anecdote I really disliked was how, tired of the incessant barking of a dog he had apparently voluntarily acquired, he opened the door of his house and let it out into the night, where it was immediately killed by a leopard. The way he told the story, it sounded as if he found it a satisfactory solution to an annoying problem. But then attitudes to dogs are different on that side of the ocean, or so I am told.
If like me you don't know anything about Bond or much about India beyond what I have read and seen in a few documentaries, you won't learn much here. The texture of his prose is good, but it is sadly evident that these are the ramblings of a very ancient gentleman.
Bond admits that there is no form or chronology to this meandering through his memories. The photos speak of grandsons, but apparently no wife or children. Who is Prem, or Beena? He often repeats himself without giving any real information about his life beyond several mentions of that trip to London in his twenties and his return to India, and passing mentions of people whose presence in his existence is never explained. I guess I'm supposed to know, but I don't.
The only anecdote I really disliked was how, tired of the incessant barking of a dog he had apparently voluntarily acquired, he opened the door of his house and let it out into the night, where it was immediately killed by a leopard. The way he told the story, it sounded as if he found it a satisfactory solution to an annoying problem. But then attitudes to dogs are different on that side of the ocean, or so I am told.
If like me you don't know anything about Bond or much about India beyond what I have read and seen in a few documentaries, you won't learn much here. The texture of his prose is good, but it is sadly evident that these are the ramblings of a very ancient gentleman.
September 27, 2023
4 stars to a befitting memoir that doesn't follow the supposed "rules" of writing a memoir.
I don't enjoy reading memoirs a lot. But surprisingly enough, I adored The Beauty of All My Days. Ruskin Saab declared point blank in the introduction that, much like his life, his memoir too doesn't follow a serial timeline. This is what made this book so palatable for me.
It always irritated me when authors go rambling about the nitty-gritty of their lives treating readers as their neighbors. As if we care what brand of toothpaste they used one fine morning in May that had no subsequent effect on the story whatsoever. But that's not this book. Whether it be seeking a room of his own, living in different places, or talking about his found family, Bond keeps it crisp, clear yet delightful. He focuses only on the bits and parts that matter. The pages suffused with pictures from his life add charm to his reflections.
Here is a man who has lived a slow and simple life with a love that he's poured into the best bits of his life story in his memoir. If you ever want to borrow a happy slice of life from someone, look no further than Bond's The Beauty of All My Days.
I don't enjoy reading memoirs a lot. But surprisingly enough, I adored The Beauty of All My Days. Ruskin Saab declared point blank in the introduction that, much like his life, his memoir too doesn't follow a serial timeline. This is what made this book so palatable for me.
It always irritated me when authors go rambling about the nitty-gritty of their lives treating readers as their neighbors. As if we care what brand of toothpaste they used one fine morning in May that had no subsequent effect on the story whatsoever. But that's not this book. Whether it be seeking a room of his own, living in different places, or talking about his found family, Bond keeps it crisp, clear yet delightful. He focuses only on the bits and parts that matter. The pages suffused with pictures from his life add charm to his reflections.
Here is a man who has lived a slow and simple life with a love that he's poured into the best bits of his life story in his memoir. If you ever want to borrow a happy slice of life from someone, look no further than Bond's The Beauty of All My Days.
August 30, 2020
Owen Ruskin Bond's frequent reflections and longing for times gone by, an India gone by in his writings is what keeps bringing me back to his books. I can't seem to get enough of him. Maybe a part of me also likes to live in the past just as he does.
"The Beauty of All My Days - A Memoir" is like a gentle unhurried stroll down an old forgotten path. It gives a peep into an aspect that doesn't get much attention, the sufferings some of the British (India born) families or persons had to endure as the sun set on the colonial rule in India. With no family or relatives abroad and with meagre or no income, these leftovers from the Raj as he calls them, had nowhere to go and stayed on, in the hill stations in particular.
For example, the old British couple who lived on a two storey house in Mussoorie and which is a Government office now or an abandoned English man who worked as a kabariwallah to make ends meet. Who would have known there used to be English kabari at Mussoorie in the 1960s!
He says he is a 'leftover' as well but we all disagree for the whole of India has showered love and affection upon him as one of our very own.England's loss is India's gain.
I could find a part of me in this book when he reminisces about owning his first house. That feeling of owning your own place, after having lived in rented spaces for years and years since childhood, is indescribable to be honest.
His books have that effect on the readers when one can't help but stop and ponder over the bygone years of one's life or the past in general.
"The Beauty of All My Days - A Memoir" is like a gentle unhurried stroll down an old forgotten path. It gives a peep into an aspect that doesn't get much attention, the sufferings some of the British (India born) families or persons had to endure as the sun set on the colonial rule in India. With no family or relatives abroad and with meagre or no income, these leftovers from the Raj as he calls them, had nowhere to go and stayed on, in the hill stations in particular.
For example, the old British couple who lived on a two storey house in Mussoorie and which is a Government office now or an abandoned English man who worked as a kabariwallah to make ends meet. Who would have known there used to be English kabari at Mussoorie in the 1960s!
He says he is a 'leftover' as well but we all disagree for the whole of India has showered love and affection upon him as one of our very own.England's loss is India's gain.
I could find a part of me in this book when he reminisces about owning his first house. That feeling of owning your own place, after having lived in rented spaces for years and years since childhood, is indescribable to be honest.
His books have that effect on the readers when one can't help but stop and ponder over the bygone years of one's life or the past in general.
May 10, 2021
I need to write something about this ...like I need oxygen ..in the same way I need to ...not because it's a memoir of Ruskin Bond ...one author whose writings ..no no scratch that ..whom I completely adore ..but because as I finished this book it's as if I have lived a complete life through him ..as if I could feel the lemon yellow sun light of Musoorie on my face as I flipped trough the pages of this book .. as if I am walking through the long lost old world he has immortalized through his prose power ...as if I am him ..and together we have loved the mountains , their greenery , their river and springs and their people with all the flaws and fun .
First thing first ...I have always been attracted to the names Bond picks for his books and then there is the cover .. I picked it up 2nd hand from bookchor.com .. but this arrived as good as new ... a beautiful hard bound.I picked this only for the cover as I have read another memoir of Bond( the lone fox dancing) a couple of years back ..and thought the content would be somewhat repetitive .. one of the few flaws with all published books of his...But oh boy ! The book came as a surprise .. the bookmark came as a surprise ..and the content upheld the series of surprises I was in for..
So, why are you wasting your time reading this review ...Go ..pick this book ...find a seat bellow your favorite tree or your fav green corner or a nook or a couch .. make yourself a cup of coffee or tea ...and as you go through the pages of the book ... make yourself few cups more ..because you will not be able to put it down for long ..I certainly could not :)
Happy reading :)
First thing first ...I have always been attracted to the names Bond picks for his books and then there is the cover .. I picked it up 2nd hand from bookchor.com .. but this arrived as good as new ... a beautiful hard bound.I picked this only for the cover as I have read another memoir of Bond( the lone fox dancing) a couple of years back ..and thought the content would be somewhat repetitive .. one of the few flaws with all published books of his...But oh boy ! The book came as a surprise .. the bookmark came as a surprise ..and the content upheld the series of surprises I was in for..
So, why are you wasting your time reading this review ...Go ..pick this book ...find a seat bellow your favorite tree or your fav green corner or a nook or a couch .. make yourself a cup of coffee or tea ...and as you go through the pages of the book ... make yourself few cups more ..because you will not be able to put it down for long ..I certainly could not :)
Happy reading :)
August 28, 2023
The Beauty of all my days - Ruskin Bond
Rating 4/5
Another of Bond's memoir which I ended up liking. A comfort read for few hours of a day and do I complain or repeated content? Absolutely not.
This book introduces the readers to, apart the regular characters and events, few new characters from Bond's life. For example those offsprings' of the British who could not find a passage to England post Indian Independence and ended up staying in India. The book tells how Bond spent his time starting from the 1950's till he met his adopted family, about his places of stay in Delhi, Uttarakhand and his nature of work.
Being a small book it has plenty of photographs and paper quality is super good.
Coming to the point - why I read Bond books or advocate people to read Ruskin Bond.
I think Indians owe a lot of debt to Ruskin Bond for having written so vividly about the good old days post Independence. Bond has aimed to celebrate ordinary life, ordinary people and lifestyles, relationships, friendships - which he has done exceptionally through his writing. One way to repay the debt is, we must read Bond books so that they are always in Print production and his family receives royalty for years to come. Also - the India post independence from British should be celebrated just as the India pre-British is. You may find books which speak about the political scene in the time post independence, but very few books capture about the simplicist life back then. Bond takes the credit all solo and which for instance has come through sheer amount of hardships and endurance.
Sometimes I wonder, if I had sufficient of Bond's writings and should decide to read something else. But I soon realize, I have forgotten few characters of his books and have to refresh myself - so that they get to persist in my everyday memory. That's why I read Bond's books! Dhuki, Ms Kellner, Prem Singh and many more are here to stay.
Cheers!
Rating 4/5
Another of Bond's memoir which I ended up liking. A comfort read for few hours of a day and do I complain or repeated content? Absolutely not.
This book introduces the readers to, apart the regular characters and events, few new characters from Bond's life. For example those offsprings' of the British who could not find a passage to England post Indian Independence and ended up staying in India. The book tells how Bond spent his time starting from the 1950's till he met his adopted family, about his places of stay in Delhi, Uttarakhand and his nature of work.
Being a small book it has plenty of photographs and paper quality is super good.
Coming to the point - why I read Bond books or advocate people to read Ruskin Bond.
I think Indians owe a lot of debt to Ruskin Bond for having written so vividly about the good old days post Independence. Bond has aimed to celebrate ordinary life, ordinary people and lifestyles, relationships, friendships - which he has done exceptionally through his writing. One way to repay the debt is, we must read Bond books so that they are always in Print production and his family receives royalty for years to come. Also - the India post independence from British should be celebrated just as the India pre-British is. You may find books which speak about the political scene in the time post independence, but very few books capture about the simplicist life back then. Bond takes the credit all solo and which for instance has come through sheer amount of hardships and endurance.
Sometimes I wonder, if I had sufficient of Bond's writings and should decide to read something else. But I soon realize, I have forgotten few characters of his books and have to refresh myself - so that they get to persist in my everyday memory. That's why I read Bond's books! Dhuki, Ms Kellner, Prem Singh and many more are here to stay.
Cheers!
June 12, 2020
His unbiased and timeless writing will make anybody see the good in life, he's one writer whose prose feels you with positivity. When you read his books, you find a friend, a friend who's exactly like you, who resonates with you on a deeper level and takes away your lonliness. The humor in his narrative evaporates your anger or anxiety for that matter. When he approached publishers in his initial days, he was told he should write for the children. It's evident why, the innocence in his portrayal of the world takes you back to your own childhood.
In the mermoir, The Beauty of All My Days, he narrates he experiences, from his boyhood to his old-age. He writes about how he started writing from the scratch, about his love for India, his loss of his father, and several funny experiences from his childhood. The fact that there is no sequence or order in the chain of events serves as a magic ingredient, poetic and unpredictable.
The reason he's a special place in all of our hearts is because he sees the poetry in the living and portrays it through his writing.
If I was ever granted a wish, meeting Ruskin Bond would be the one I would ask for.
In the mermoir, The Beauty of All My Days, he narrates he experiences, from his boyhood to his old-age. He writes about how he started writing from the scratch, about his love for India, his loss of his father, and several funny experiences from his childhood. The fact that there is no sequence or order in the chain of events serves as a magic ingredient, poetic and unpredictable.
The reason he's a special place in all of our hearts is because he sees the poetry in the living and portrays it through his writing.
If I was ever granted a wish, meeting Ruskin Bond would be the one I would ask for.
November 10, 2022
It's always a pleasure to read Ruskin Bond.
Having said that, this memoir is more anecdotes and less of stories. It's something, like the author sat somewhere and remembered something from his younger days. Took out his notepad and put it there immediately. Fash : it's gone to print!
There is no chronology of order, which makes certain lines repetitive. But I don't mind it.
I don't see the author as Mr.Bond but as Rusty, a naive, innocent boy struggling to get a foothold in the literary world.
His words flow like pure spring water, from the crevices of the hills he has made abode of. I yearn to experience his time in the hills. Only if it was possible!!
Again it's always a pleasure to read his work.
Having said that, this memoir is more anecdotes and less of stories. It's something, like the author sat somewhere and remembered something from his younger days. Took out his notepad and put it there immediately. Fash : it's gone to print!
There is no chronology of order, which makes certain lines repetitive. But I don't mind it.
I don't see the author as Mr.Bond but as Rusty, a naive, innocent boy struggling to get a foothold in the literary world.
His words flow like pure spring water, from the crevices of the hills he has made abode of. I yearn to experience his time in the hills. Only if it was possible!!
Again it's always a pleasure to read his work.
September 12, 2019
Reading from Ruskin Bond is always close to taking a walk in the forests and feel the grass even when there is utter chaos in the surroundings. His words transport the reader to the hills and variety of flowers, it is not about what you read, it is about how it makes you feel.
Another lovely read that gives the reader a peep into the life of the author who I make it a point to read every few months (on purpose so that I don't exhaust everything he has authored!).
Another lovely read that gives the reader a peep into the life of the author who I make it a point to read every few months (on purpose so that I don't exhaust everything he has authored!).
March 6, 2022
A short read, I was able to able to read most of it on a flight. Ruskin Bond writes in a casual and humorous manner which makes it a very light read. There's no chronology in the chapters and you can essentially pick up anyone at random. They cover a broad range of topics from his childhood days in India, his struggling writer days in London, and then finally his current life in Dehradun, India. In between, he mentions how a lot of things have changed in life over the course of the past few decades. A good way to get into Ruskin Bond. A good read.
October 7, 2018
It just takes you up to the hill. As always Ruskin has won the heart!
October 24, 2018
A beautifully written book steeped in nostalgia..!
October 5, 2019
Reading Ruskin Bond’s memoir is a delight. Makes for a refreshing read.
May 6, 2020
I am in awe of Ruskin, such cute writing that makes me cry and long for simplicity. He is witty, inspirational, and sensuous. His simple aesthetic view of the world is inspirational.
December 4, 2020
The master just keeps on churning out masterpieces
November 7, 2021
Must read for very Bond lover❤️
June 17, 2019
Good. A bit of repetitions at some places. Placid and enjoyable.
July 31, 2025
Simple
Beautiful
Calming
Beautiful
Calming
November 26, 2019
How can one writer mesmerize people of all ages nearly everytime he writes. Well that's what Ruskin Bond does everytime with his work. This one is much more special because it's his memoir. Life is just a ridiculous caper. One comes in at one foot, and before you have had a chance to get your bearings,you are out at the other door. So one might as well enjoy the flowers along the way. Ruskin's works are like those flowers which has so much magic in it. It helps one discover their hopes,thoughts and desires.
July 3, 2020
This was a nice book overall. Reading Ruskin's memoirs reminded me of similar times in my own life that I thought I had long forgotten. There seems to be a fine touch of humour in the book and I was often smiling and laughing as I turned the pages. The various photos spread out throughout the book from events in Ruskin's life are also delightful and you can not help but wonder how fast time progresses.
June 21, 2020
An engaging read. Quite insightful in the life of beloved author.
May 19, 2020
Review : The Beauty of all my Days.
Genre : Memoir.
No. of pages : 183
Publisher : Penguin India .
.
The Beauty of all my days is a memoir of Ruskin Bond which is about some of his past events, the environment, the circumstances in which he grew up and the people who came into his life and have left an impression on his mind forever.
The memoir is divided into nine chapters. In the first chapter ‘Finding My Own Space’, he writes that he loved to be a little lonely from his childhood. He never liked being in a dormitory lifestyle. He had a room of his own since he was ten. He had to live in a rented bunglow with his mother and stepfather as his father passed away at a very young age. His step father was not good in his work. He spent more time in Shikar(hunting) than his workshop. Since his father could not pay the rent, they had to move to author’s grandmother’s house for a couple of months. Those days are one of the significant and important stages of his life which he has described in the first chapter of his memoir.
In the next chapter ‘A Writer and His Room’, he talks about how he started writing stories. He started writing short stories and articles while living in Dehradun. He used to write on an abandoned old Remington typewriter used by his stepfather. He used to send his writings to magazines throughout the country. Gradually his writings started appearing in various magazines.
In the third chapter ‘Travels with a Mora’, he tells some voyage incidents of his life. After completing his schooling in Simla he had to go to London in search of a job. The journey begins on the Doon Express, which took two days and two nights to get to Bombay. Mrs Shukla and her daughter were his companions in that journey. This chapter is all about how this two characters and a Mora(a small wicker – cane stool) became an integral part of that journey.
In fourth chapter ‘Breakfast at Maplewood’, he tells about the days he spent in Mussoorie. On the outskirts of Mussoorie he rented a cottage named Maplewood. It was tucked away in a shelf of the hill and its several windows opened on to a mixed forest of oak, maple, walnut and horse chestnut. Various birds would come to the window almost every day. This chapter reveals his love for nature. In this chapter he also mentioned about his friend Kamal who came from Delhi. Kamal’s family is described in his story ‘Bhabiji’s House’ (The Lampis Lit, Penguin Books, 1998).
In fifth chapter ‘Whatever Happened to Picnics?’ he shares some of his childhood and adulthood experiences of going to picnics. When he was eight, he was taken on a picnic to Rajpur by his stepfather Mr Hari along with his mother, his little sister Ellen and his Aunt Enid. That was his first time going to a picnic. He also recounts the experience of going for a picnic in 1964 with a group of his friends.
The sixth chapter ‘So Well-remembered Miss Kellner and the Magic Biscuit Tin is a small tribute to Miss Kellner who made a lasting impression on author. She was author’s grandmother’s tenant. She had an accident when she was a child. She could not walk because of her spine injury and broken limbs due to that accident. She was in her sixties when author met her. An author was seven or eight at that time. They became very good friends. Mrs Kellner had a magic biscuit tin which was a collection of all sorts of biscuits. Mrs Kellner and her magic biscuit tin will forever be etched in author’s memory.
In seventh chapter, ‘The Lonely Times, the Lonely Crowds’ he tells about his several encounters with loneliness. It first happened when he was seven, his mother deposited him in a convent boarding- school. That incident was too miserable for him. Then, a year or two later, his father’s sudden death shook him from his inside. Late in 1951, when he was seventeen he went to Jersey. In Jersey he worked at several jobs. After saving some money he took off for London. To alleviate his loneliness he started watching different types of cinemas. He was so lonely in London that after his two-year sojourn, he left London.
The eighth chapter ‘Leftovers from the Raj’ is about the emigration period of British and Anglo-Indian families to the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
The ninth chapter ‘My Place of Power’ is about the story of returning to Mussoorie after fifty years. He also mentioned about his grandchildren in this chapter.
Recommendation : I would definitely recommend this memoir to all book lovers who loves Ruskin Bond.
Genre : Memoir.
No. of pages : 183
Publisher : Penguin India .
.
The Beauty of all my days is a memoir of Ruskin Bond which is about some of his past events, the environment, the circumstances in which he grew up and the people who came into his life and have left an impression on his mind forever.
The memoir is divided into nine chapters. In the first chapter ‘Finding My Own Space’, he writes that he loved to be a little lonely from his childhood. He never liked being in a dormitory lifestyle. He had a room of his own since he was ten. He had to live in a rented bunglow with his mother and stepfather as his father passed away at a very young age. His step father was not good in his work. He spent more time in Shikar(hunting) than his workshop. Since his father could not pay the rent, they had to move to author’s grandmother’s house for a couple of months. Those days are one of the significant and important stages of his life which he has described in the first chapter of his memoir.
In the next chapter ‘A Writer and His Room’, he talks about how he started writing stories. He started writing short stories and articles while living in Dehradun. He used to write on an abandoned old Remington typewriter used by his stepfather. He used to send his writings to magazines throughout the country. Gradually his writings started appearing in various magazines.
In the third chapter ‘Travels with a Mora’, he tells some voyage incidents of his life. After completing his schooling in Simla he had to go to London in search of a job. The journey begins on the Doon Express, which took two days and two nights to get to Bombay. Mrs Shukla and her daughter were his companions in that journey. This chapter is all about how this two characters and a Mora(a small wicker – cane stool) became an integral part of that journey.
In fourth chapter ‘Breakfast at Maplewood’, he tells about the days he spent in Mussoorie. On the outskirts of Mussoorie he rented a cottage named Maplewood. It was tucked away in a shelf of the hill and its several windows opened on to a mixed forest of oak, maple, walnut and horse chestnut. Various birds would come to the window almost every day. This chapter reveals his love for nature. In this chapter he also mentioned about his friend Kamal who came from Delhi. Kamal’s family is described in his story ‘Bhabiji’s House’ (The Lampis Lit, Penguin Books, 1998).
In fifth chapter ‘Whatever Happened to Picnics?’ he shares some of his childhood and adulthood experiences of going to picnics. When he was eight, he was taken on a picnic to Rajpur by his stepfather Mr Hari along with his mother, his little sister Ellen and his Aunt Enid. That was his first time going to a picnic. He also recounts the experience of going for a picnic in 1964 with a group of his friends.
The sixth chapter ‘So Well-remembered Miss Kellner and the Magic Biscuit Tin is a small tribute to Miss Kellner who made a lasting impression on author. She was author’s grandmother’s tenant. She had an accident when she was a child. She could not walk because of her spine injury and broken limbs due to that accident. She was in her sixties when author met her. An author was seven or eight at that time. They became very good friends. Mrs Kellner had a magic biscuit tin which was a collection of all sorts of biscuits. Mrs Kellner and her magic biscuit tin will forever be etched in author’s memory.
In seventh chapter, ‘The Lonely Times, the Lonely Crowds’ he tells about his several encounters with loneliness. It first happened when he was seven, his mother deposited him in a convent boarding- school. That incident was too miserable for him. Then, a year or two later, his father’s sudden death shook him from his inside. Late in 1951, when he was seventeen he went to Jersey. In Jersey he worked at several jobs. After saving some money he took off for London. To alleviate his loneliness he started watching different types of cinemas. He was so lonely in London that after his two-year sojourn, he left London.
The eighth chapter ‘Leftovers from the Raj’ is about the emigration period of British and Anglo-Indian families to the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
The ninth chapter ‘My Place of Power’ is about the story of returning to Mussoorie after fifty years. He also mentioned about his grandchildren in this chapter.
Recommendation : I would definitely recommend this memoir to all book lovers who loves Ruskin Bond.
November 12, 2018
The book- "The Beauty of All My Days: A Memoir" by the author is an enlightening and enjoying sojourn in his memories. A walk down the lane with it's turns and twists, colours and mundaneness, love and despaire, success and failure, happiness and sorrow. The author went on narrating, talking of individuals who inspired him, situations that influenced him and nature that encouraged him. Taking pauses at the right moment for exact amount as the reader tries to devour the essence, which the author simplifies with his pen. It was almost like two individuals, traversing phases and pausing as the episode unfurls before the eyes, in a silver screen.
Ruskin Bond was a British born Indian in pre-independant scenario. Therefore, he has witnessed the transition-- the independance, which brought freedom, peace and solace to so many and stole away the very existance from many others as well. People who were British in ancestry yet Indian by birth, families who had believed and loved this country just as good as their motherland, old couples who were left in India because they lacked the required papers to return to England and also that they didn't have anything or anybody back in West--- what about them? How much do we know about these people? Negligible. But Bond pens down their pathos and plight, their loneliness and ... death.
Bond had a knack for writing from a very early age, he aimed to be an author someday. With that prospect in mind, he was sailed away to England-- at her aunt's place. He worked as a clerk but wrote on the side-- essays, short stories, novels and his poems. But he migrated from place to place. Searching for his 'own space', the author's room. And hence he moved and changed his apartment, his locale and environment and made new friends. As he travelled in search of that permanent ambience, he decided to come back home-- India. This is where in Dehra, Landour, did he settle down for one final time. Because his heart ached for the Indian soil, the smell of the spices, the petrichor in the air and the mountains, for sure. He had always maintained a diary along with him, noting down important incidents, funny situations and his observations that had constantly aided to his plot.
These days, the major questions that have filled spaces in social media and especially Quora, is that what should a budding writer write about? Similar issues have been raised in various literary meets. To which the doyen of writing replied with his usual charm that he has been narrating tales that have happened around him with a tinch of imagination. In another epoch in life, in the book, he did enunciate the reason behind his choosing commonplace issues instead of going for something highly extra-ordinary. He took pleasure in the simplest of things and hence he wrote about the old gardener at his grand mother's place, the English boy who used to pick garbage, the elderly retired neighbour who stayed back after independance. Therefore, the people whom no one was writing about, Ruskin Bond articulated their feelings, emotions and livelihood.
The most appealing feature of the book is, apparently, it's front and back cover. A colourful wrapping that enables people to pay heed to it. But the attribute of this book that grabbed my attention, is the title itself. The authour kept to the positive impact of life bringing out the beauty of it, and not upholding the ugly visage of life. Thereby, taking the reader on a refreshing ride to his nostalgically remembered past. A must read, it is, for anyone who has or hasn't read any of his earlier books, because once again Mr. Ruskin Bond has not failed in enamouring his readers. A delightful and relishing experience as the 84 year old hand presents us with most rejuvinating and fresh piece of literature, this year.
Ruskin Bond was a British born Indian in pre-independant scenario. Therefore, he has witnessed the transition-- the independance, which brought freedom, peace and solace to so many and stole away the very existance from many others as well. People who were British in ancestry yet Indian by birth, families who had believed and loved this country just as good as their motherland, old couples who were left in India because they lacked the required papers to return to England and also that they didn't have anything or anybody back in West--- what about them? How much do we know about these people? Negligible. But Bond pens down their pathos and plight, their loneliness and ... death.
Bond had a knack for writing from a very early age, he aimed to be an author someday. With that prospect in mind, he was sailed away to England-- at her aunt's place. He worked as a clerk but wrote on the side-- essays, short stories, novels and his poems. But he migrated from place to place. Searching for his 'own space', the author's room. And hence he moved and changed his apartment, his locale and environment and made new friends. As he travelled in search of that permanent ambience, he decided to come back home-- India. This is where in Dehra, Landour, did he settle down for one final time. Because his heart ached for the Indian soil, the smell of the spices, the petrichor in the air and the mountains, for sure. He had always maintained a diary along with him, noting down important incidents, funny situations and his observations that had constantly aided to his plot.
These days, the major questions that have filled spaces in social media and especially Quora, is that what should a budding writer write about? Similar issues have been raised in various literary meets. To which the doyen of writing replied with his usual charm that he has been narrating tales that have happened around him with a tinch of imagination. In another epoch in life, in the book, he did enunciate the reason behind his choosing commonplace issues instead of going for something highly extra-ordinary. He took pleasure in the simplest of things and hence he wrote about the old gardener at his grand mother's place, the English boy who used to pick garbage, the elderly retired neighbour who stayed back after independance. Therefore, the people whom no one was writing about, Ruskin Bond articulated their feelings, emotions and livelihood.
The most appealing feature of the book is, apparently, it's front and back cover. A colourful wrapping that enables people to pay heed to it. But the attribute of this book that grabbed my attention, is the title itself. The authour kept to the positive impact of life bringing out the beauty of it, and not upholding the ugly visage of life. Thereby, taking the reader on a refreshing ride to his nostalgically remembered past. A must read, it is, for anyone who has or hasn't read any of his earlier books, because once again Mr. Ruskin Bond has not failed in enamouring his readers. A delightful and relishing experience as the 84 year old hand presents us with most rejuvinating and fresh piece of literature, this year.
August 30, 2024
This is the second memoir of Ruskin bond that I have read. The first one is Lone fox Dancing Review . Like the earlier memoirs this books contains his personal experiences from his life organized on certain themes. Why there are some stories that read from the earlier book (such as the his days at granny home and Mrs Keller), there are few more new anecdotes and vignettes of people such as Sir Edmund who were left behind from the days of the Raj (or those who chose to stay on in Independent India due to various personal circumstances). The book contains many photographs from his life which adds context and colour to the autobiographical text.
Ruskin bond's writing is as mellifluous full of witticisms and mischievous observations such as those below:
In parts of India it is said to be lucky if a wall lizard falls on you the luck varying according to the part of your anatomy on which it lands I had no such luck. The lizard fell occasionally on my bed or on the floor and I was quite happy to be spared its reptilian blessings.
Well, I had just peeled my egg and was busy buttering my toast when I realized that I wasn't alone at the dining table. A glassy black jungle crow was sitting near the salt cellar watching me with beady eyes. And before I could say good morning, he seized my peeled egg and flew off through the open window. Now I have known crows to steal eggs (usually the eggs of other birds) but this was the first time I had seen one make of with a breakfast egg. It was already boiled and peeled. If it had waited a moment longer he would have had it with salt and pepper.
One misty morning, I encountered a group of tourists from the Punjab berating their guide for bringing them to Landour's summit where all they could see was a local cemetery. The cemetery does have the best view. Unfortunately the inhabitants are not in the best position to appreciate it.
The most powerful of men strut across their domains as though they are gods or favorites of the Gods, and then they vanish like fallen leaves. At least the dead leaves serve a purpose - they enrich the soil. Mankind pollutes it.
I hope I have piqued your interest in the book to read it.
Ruskin bond's writing is as mellifluous full of witticisms and mischievous observations such as those below:
In parts of India it is said to be lucky if a wall lizard falls on you the luck varying according to the part of your anatomy on which it lands I had no such luck. The lizard fell occasionally on my bed or on the floor and I was quite happy to be spared its reptilian blessings.
Well, I had just peeled my egg and was busy buttering my toast when I realized that I wasn't alone at the dining table. A glassy black jungle crow was sitting near the salt cellar watching me with beady eyes. And before I could say good morning, he seized my peeled egg and flew off through the open window. Now I have known crows to steal eggs (usually the eggs of other birds) but this was the first time I had seen one make of with a breakfast egg. It was already boiled and peeled. If it had waited a moment longer he would have had it with salt and pepper.
One misty morning, I encountered a group of tourists from the Punjab berating their guide for bringing them to Landour's summit where all they could see was a local cemetery. The cemetery does have the best view. Unfortunately the inhabitants are not in the best position to appreciate it.
The most powerful of men strut across their domains as though they are gods or favorites of the Gods, and then they vanish like fallen leaves. At least the dead leaves serve a purpose - they enrich the soil. Mankind pollutes it.
I hope I have piqued your interest in the book to read it.
December 2, 2018
Book Name: The Beauty Of My All Days
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Penguin Viking
Introduction: Ruskin says, "So here I am, delving into the past like Monsieur Poirot, not to solve a mystery, but to try to understand some of the events that have helped define the sort of person I have become. Some of it, naturally, is in the genes; but much of it is in the environment, in the circumstances in which we grow up, in the people who come into our lives, even in the air we breathe.Different things at different times helped to make the individual that is me, just as different things at different times helped to make you, just as they went into making your brothers and sisters, who are very different from you". My opinion: This memoir is a remembrance of times past, an attempt to resurrect a person or a period or an episode, a reflection on the unpredictability of life. I believe a person writes his own destiny & desigs a brand new path to walk in. Ruskin is from those who can write & give that the reader would be amazed with his artworks, a Whiteman, left his country long back & settled down in beautiful Duns proved a boon for him as a poet too. It was amazing to revisit his life through this memoir because at last I got to know a famous author closely. Minute details which are important from his perspective are mentioned right from his childhood- how he was as a child, as a teenager & as an adult- everything is mentioned just so well.
Taking about the cover- it's so so so eye catching loved it. Highly recommend to each of you (specially to Ruskin's fan).
Even to beginners.
Pros: I loved the way how Ruskin portrayed everything without even showing how great he is. The real life pictures in the book made it more beautiful, they are giving a realistic touch to the book. Writing style is as amazing as usual. The best part is this is the shortest memoir I ever read- light read. Beginner feel free to pick this is also for you, I enjoyed this too much!
Cons: No remarkable cons.
Rating: 4.5🌟
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Penguin Viking
Introduction: Ruskin says, "So here I am, delving into the past like Monsieur Poirot, not to solve a mystery, but to try to understand some of the events that have helped define the sort of person I have become. Some of it, naturally, is in the genes; but much of it is in the environment, in the circumstances in which we grow up, in the people who come into our lives, even in the air we breathe.Different things at different times helped to make the individual that is me, just as different things at different times helped to make you, just as they went into making your brothers and sisters, who are very different from you". My opinion: This memoir is a remembrance of times past, an attempt to resurrect a person or a period or an episode, a reflection on the unpredictability of life. I believe a person writes his own destiny & desigs a brand new path to walk in. Ruskin is from those who can write & give that the reader would be amazed with his artworks, a Whiteman, left his country long back & settled down in beautiful Duns proved a boon for him as a poet too. It was amazing to revisit his life through this memoir because at last I got to know a famous author closely. Minute details which are important from his perspective are mentioned right from his childhood- how he was as a child, as a teenager & as an adult- everything is mentioned just so well.
Taking about the cover- it's so so so eye catching loved it. Highly recommend to each of you (specially to Ruskin's fan).
Even to beginners.
Pros: I loved the way how Ruskin portrayed everything without even showing how great he is. The real life pictures in the book made it more beautiful, they are giving a realistic touch to the book. Writing style is as amazing as usual. The best part is this is the shortest memoir I ever read- light read. Beginner feel free to pick this is also for you, I enjoyed this too much!
Cons: No remarkable cons.
Rating: 4.5🌟
June 13, 2020
Dear Ruskin Bond,
I have read few of your books. But majorly your poems.When I turned 17, we as a family had visited Dehradun and planend a visit to your place.Unfortunately due to some reasons it didn't pan out.
My day job is in a media firm in the HR team,but in the night I am passionate writer who loves to play with words.Write little short poems,musings and tales if any. Keeping up with the Quarantine time,I think it was very right of me to pick up your book "The Beauty of all my days". They say books have the ability to transport you to different places. And your book did that to me quite effortlessly.With all the contents neatly compartmentalized,from "Finding my own space" to "My place of power" I relived your story with a smile on my face while reading of the experiences recalled by you.For a man like you got to be a part of some really historic years and you have made a goldmine of stories for our generation to be retold and retold.
Apart from contributing to us readers with the warmth, storyline and characters that led you to what you became you gave us the opportunity time and again to be that curious onlooker to achieve things with utmost simplicity,liveliness and gratitude.I consider myself a writer and to me the book holds a special place apart from the other memoirs that I have read.The boy who carried his "mora" everywhere he went including London,the boy who didn't let his traumatic past affect him and take more space,the boy who loved nature and still does !
The boy who finally understood that the solitude he enjoyed in his little attic in Mussorie hills, or rather I would like to say the enchanted cottage was his space after having travelled so many places including abroad.He stuck to his beliefs to write and wrote stories to create empathy for the natural world.And that boy is an inspiring man now who inspires so many children to meet him at the bookshop!
This was a inspiring read for a budding writer like me and I am grateful for the entire bit that you wrote.
Awaiting a meet at the hill some day,
Life is Beautiful !
Love,
Agnes
I have read few of your books. But majorly your poems.When I turned 17, we as a family had visited Dehradun and planend a visit to your place.Unfortunately due to some reasons it didn't pan out.
My day job is in a media firm in the HR team,but in the night I am passionate writer who loves to play with words.Write little short poems,musings and tales if any. Keeping up with the Quarantine time,I think it was very right of me to pick up your book "The Beauty of all my days". They say books have the ability to transport you to different places. And your book did that to me quite effortlessly.With all the contents neatly compartmentalized,from "Finding my own space" to "My place of power" I relived your story with a smile on my face while reading of the experiences recalled by you.For a man like you got to be a part of some really historic years and you have made a goldmine of stories for our generation to be retold and retold.
Apart from contributing to us readers with the warmth, storyline and characters that led you to what you became you gave us the opportunity time and again to be that curious onlooker to achieve things with utmost simplicity,liveliness and gratitude.I consider myself a writer and to me the book holds a special place apart from the other memoirs that I have read.The boy who carried his "mora" everywhere he went including London,the boy who didn't let his traumatic past affect him and take more space,the boy who loved nature and still does !
The boy who finally understood that the solitude he enjoyed in his little attic in Mussorie hills, or rather I would like to say the enchanted cottage was his space after having travelled so many places including abroad.He stuck to his beliefs to write and wrote stories to create empathy for the natural world.And that boy is an inspiring man now who inspires so many children to meet him at the bookshop!
This was a inspiring read for a budding writer like me and I am grateful for the entire bit that you wrote.
Awaiting a meet at the hill some day,
Life is Beautiful !
Love,
Agnes
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