It’s a Wonderful Life

by Ruskin Bond

In a grey and frightened world driven to despair by the pandemic, Ruskin Bond’s luminous new book, It’s a Wonderful Life, cuts through the gloom like a blade of bright steel. His unerring eye seeks out the joys and positive truths to be found in the smallest of incidents that occur in our lives, the good news and sources of happiness that we often miss out on as a result of the anxiety and bad news that has pervaded our daily existence over the past year.
Perceptive, uplifting, and deeply moving, It’s a Wonderful Life is another triumph from one of our most beloved writers.

Genres: Nonfiction

141 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2021

About the author

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

Reviews

[Udit Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruskin Bond always manages to provide solace with his warm and witty writing. It becomes more soothing specially when times around us have been tough. He allows us to put our focus back on simple and mundane things which are often overlooked.

There has never been a dull moment throughout the book. The essays and articles are extremely short and hence allows to sail through it easily. Moreover the diary entries section of the book was the most likeable one. It was written by bond during pandemic and hence its very relatable for all.

[Reethu Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading Ruskin Bond for the first time - it was a couple of years ago and I was in Mumbai. I admit, I was a little late to the party. I had borrowed a copy of 'Notes From a Small Room' from my college library and would read it while commuting between college and home on bus no: 103. I remember often looking out the window, ruminating on his words. It didn't take much to fall in love with his words - the way he would talk about everyday life, the things he saw, and all that he felt.

Cut to today, as we struggle to hold on amidst these despairing circumstances, Bond's new book - It's a Wonderful Life - couldn't have come at a better time. Divided into four parts, the book contains snippets from Bond's childhood, essays, vignettes, and his lockdown journals. In this memoir, the beloved author talks about nature, his routine amidst last year's lockdown, and more importantly, finding happiness in the little things in life.

He encourages readers to do the simplest of things - growing a plant, learning to make their own bed, and not watching TV before sleeping, among others. "Grow something, my friend," he writes. "Even if it is a potted tomato plant, it will make a difference to your life."

At once funny, moving, and inspiring, I was smiling ear to ear while reading this little gem. Bond's wit, his jibes at himself, and his rendezvous with monkeys had me in splits. His vivid descriptions of nature, his stints with technology, his love for breakfast and tomatoes, every tiny thing made this book so wholesome. All in all, the book made me feel all warm and fussy and helped keep my mind off all that's happening - even if for just a while.

Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this beauty. Whether you are looking for something light-hearted and soulful, something to tide over the gloomy days, or to get over a reading slump, Bond's new book has got you covered!

[Tiyasha Chaudhury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant, warming, witty, and full of Ruskin's immaculate observations. This is a classic Bond that may engrave a deep sense of gratitude and thankfulness on your heart, and time and again, with his simplicity in prose, Ruskin has proved to be nature's thankful child. The beauty talked about in the writing is contagious.
A simple line about toast with honey, or a monkey gawking at you would ignite such fierce an imagination that one would feel as if he/she/they have been in the scene all along.

"An early morning cup of tea, an interlude of contemplation, and then a fried egg or an omelet with three hot, buttered toasts, one of them dripping with honey, all making a perfect start to what I hope will be a perfect day."

In a world of complex literature, with sophisticated layers and word formations, Bond's writing is like a light breeze, full of simplistic pleasures of life and enjoyment of the same.
The sheer brilliance in Ruskin's writing is the fact that it hits everyone almost the same way. The writing possesses clarity, sensibility, beauty, and everything is soothingly explicable.
As much as I loved the Vignettes, I also saw how vibrant, vivid and sweet the informal essays were. The collection was truly a healing balm for me, every page an extra coat on my mind.

'Impatient Wind', 'Sound of Silence', 'Sexy Earthworms', these are a few of the Vignettes that have delighted me, made me chuckle, and feel a sense of oneness with the author.

I am so glad that this collection could happen. Grateful to Aleph Book Co. to send me a copy and Ruskin Bond to have documented such pleasures.

[Khyati Gautam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blue Umbrella was my first read by Bond that laid the foundation for me becoming a fan of him. A few years down the line and reading 3 (or maybe 4 books by him, to date), I can certainly vouch for the fact that his writing stays with his readers. It is simple, ordinary, and yet connects with readers on a different level. In his words, "I have always tried to achieve prose that is easy and conversational."

It's A Wonderful Life found me at the right time, a point where I needed a breath of fresh air while I am still reeling under the news of COVID. Divided into four parts, this immersive book takes us back to some of the cherishing life experiences of Bond. How adeptly he describes the beauty of nature, how subtly he puts forth his message of saving Mother Earth.

Just like the simplicity of his prose, Bond encourages his readers to indulge in the simple pleasures of life. Go to bed, wake up to a beautiful day full of hope, make your own bed, have a good breakfast, and live your life to your heart's content. Things would continue becoming gloomy every now and then but hope can keep us floating. We need it, don't we?

I smiled when he described his strange encounters, his love for a certain food, his affection for gazing at the star-filled sky, or maybe just having a good nap. I specifically loved it when he explained his emotional connection with a pen and paper. I haven't used them in a long time to write the way I used to. In between, I got a sneak peek into his favourite works of literature and that was enough to make my heart full. I have annotated this book which I don't do usually. A good enough reason for me to revisit it when I am feeling low.

[Dhwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its A Wonderful Life : Roads To Happiness by Ruskin Bond is a book that you need read if you want to take a teeny meeny mental break from this Covid situation. Its been hard for literally, everybody and Mr. Bond lightens that dark cloud that's hovering on all of our heads right now.

Mr. Bond in his charming and simple style has written about almost everything under the roof. The book basically is sectioned into four parts based on the content. In the first one, he talks about his days in Jamnagar. The second section has Vignettes, the third, Essays and fourth contains his writings from his lockdown journal. Each section talks about things that we are missing out on in these hard time. He talks how the smallest of things can uplift our mood and change our demeanor, if we allow them to. He tells us this by telling us how he enjoys these little perks and joys even in these difficult times. He's written about his rubber plant, his exceptional love for pickles (jackfruit pickle mainly), breakfast in lockdown, his grandkids and technology, doctors of the era long gone, his friend who got Covid, Miss Bean, his parents, Trump (yes, Donald Trump), lockdown life in Landour, and much much more. The fact that he's written about the current times makes me connect to his writing even more. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy his stories of the bygone years but this writing about the current situation makes me feel we are in this together. I had such a wonderful time reading this book with a simple yet beautiful cover. I chuckled and giggled a lot while reading this book and I sincerely thank Mr. Bond for adding that component of 'humour' in these writings.

The book is a compilation that's bound to bring the reader joy and a sense of calm.

[Parnaaz Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!

[Deepan Maitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one word to describe how Ruskin Bond writes, it is: homely. To me personally, he writes as if he’s writing of home. That’s how secure, uplifting, caressing and hopeful his words are—the kind of things you need when you come back to shelter at the end of the day. And that is a wonderful quality, much uncommon and gleaming. Almost all of Bond’s stories and pieces of literature are very distinctly observative, and many a times I’ve been in awe about how can a person consistently write so well about how nature and good vibes affect him. His child-like spark in his actions that he narrates, his perspective to look at wild and tame things is nothing short of uniqueness. In all, Ruskin Bond is a figure who is the epitome of beautiful, seamless, endearing writing—all good things at once. A true writer in his heart, maybe more than that a true storyteller and narrator, Mr. Bond keeps on writing….and we wish he never stops.

‘It’s a wonderful life—roads to happiness’—how to describe a book that is so laden with distinct emotions. Do you know what is the most beautiful feeling in this world? Fond feelings coming back to you. You starkly remember how you’d felt some other day, a precise small snippet of a feeling that you recognise so well. But it never comes back to you, situations never bring forth that feeling, and you keep longing. Ruskin Bond writes about such feelings here. You’ll feel they’re personal to you, maybe in some ways they are. But the majority of the feelings here are so universal, that they lift the flag of eternal goodness. Mr. Bond reminisces and recollects, and keeps gifting us with anecdotal surprises in the form of fond emotions. So beautiful isn’t it, a book that makes you feel and feel, and say what a good time it is to be alive.

In times like this, Mr. Bond never lets go of simple hopes and joys. The new hope that fresh fragrances bring, steaming hot food brings, a cool drizzle brings and warm touch brings. How to let go of these wonderful things? I wish we all had the miraculous ability to bring back such subtle moments from the depths of our memory, close our eyes and relive them. But thank goodness we have Mr. Bond to do that for us. If we can’t do it, we can at least read him and be fulfilled. If joy of living had a writer as the team leader, Mr. Bond will be the best fit.

Thanks Aleph Book Company for the book.

[Krutika · Rating 5 out of 5]

• r e c o m m e n d a t i o n •

Books that makes us laugh at a time when we could all use some happiness are so rare to come by. Ruskin Bond's latest work is one such delightful treat. I'm no stranger to his wit and humour but this one had me grinning all the time. He talks about nature, writing, friends who turned into family, about the dreadful virus and mostly about the little things in life that we usually overlook. It's a Wonderful Life is about finding joy in the simplest of things as Mr Bond reminisces about his childhood and how he has come to accept the changes that he has had to witness over the course of his life. And mostly, it's about monkeys and earthworms. You'll know when you read the book :)

This memoir is like a warm sunshine, like a hearty breakfast and like the hugs we receive from the ones we love. It's not stories but snippets of his life as a child, an adult and now as an Octogenarian. He laughs at himself, which is a wonderful quality to possess, inturn making us feel better about being imperfect. He urges us to find things to keep us happy, like growing plants even if it's just tomatoes or chillies, to take a walk and even something as simple as making one's own bed. Divided into four parts, there are essays and vignettes to enjoy but the fourth part is about living in the times of a pandemic. It's not gloomy but on the contrary is comforting to read about his routine. I can't stress about how lovely this memoir is even though it's written with such simplicity. I guess that's why we all love Ruskin Bond and to be honest, there's really no one like him :)

Rating : 4.7/5.

Thank you for the copy @alephbookco 💖

[Aritri Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful thing about this little nugget of a book is that it delivers on its promise. It actually gives us a tiny road to achieving some happiness in the most trying of times. Frankly, one would hardly be surprised because we are talking about Ruskin Bond's writing here. He has this insanely good way of writing just the right things and making his readers smile and transport them to this bubble of joy floating away in a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

The world is in a lockdown and what better time than this for Ruskin Bond to provide his readers a chance to relief and joy. This book is divided into four specific sections: moments from his early life, vignettes, essays and lockdown journals. My favorite was the lockdown journals as it was particularly interesting to peek into the lockdown life of one of the best writers in the world. I was not surprised to see him as worried about the well-being of his friends and acquaintances living away from him and being nervous about the depressing statistics every morning he turned on the news.

There are also tiny pieces of advice thrown in which feel like they are coming from a loved one whether it is reading poetry before going to sleep or learning to make one's bed. I was inevitably craving for some more of Ruskin Bond's writing after I finished with this piece. And I ended up day-dreaming about settling in the mountains, may be meeting Mr. Bond over a cup of tea and just listen looking at the incessant beauty of nature.

[Book'd Hitu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to read this again and again.
A soul soothing and calming book just like the author himself.

[Sandeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a wonderful life - Roads to Happiness
Ruskin Bond
Rating 3/5

There are certain books which one SHOULD AVOID not only because of the quality of the content and value add but also because of the steep price. This book happens to be one of them. I am pretty sure people browsing this book in a bookstore will move on, but for online buyers, my suggestion is to stay away.

The last part of the book - about 30-35 pages comprises of entries from Ruskin Bond's journal. These are dated April-May 2020 - when a lockdown was imposed in the country/world, due to the pandemic. The other book contains random writings of Ruskin Bond which he categorizes as memoir.

There is absolutely NOTHING SIGNIFICANT which the reader gets to enjoy as a part of this book. How Ruskin Bond spends his day at an abstract, random people he meets while on a walk or at home. How the hills have shaped him, how seasons change, few plants, flowers, trees which grow or change in accordance with the seasons. He also writes about the visitors at his window, more often happens to be a monkey - one which steals his pyjama. Few remniscences from his childhood, his parents' shikar trip, his time spent amidst the forest guest house where he discovered few books which aided his literary inquisitiveness and provided a headstart along with the bookshelf in his grandmother's house.

I am pretty sure many things are known to the readers. I do agree Ruskin Bond has consented to the publication of these entries. But then, it's no-where mandated that, everything that Mr Bond puts on paper has to be published, especially at such a steep price Rs 399.

I purchased a used book at slightly less rate, mostly because I am collecting than reading. In case if you wish to buy hoping to find something new quality content, I would recommend to stay away.

Cheers,

[Readaholic's Panorama · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Happiness is an elusive thing, to be found somewhere between too little and too much”-Ruskin Bond
It’s a Wonderful Life is a delightful book with a promise to give us happiness as it leads us through the ‘Roads to Happiness’.
Bond leads us through the small alleys and pathways of life through which we must pass in order to have a cheerful life.
With an attractive cover design, the book provides us with joy right from the first step.
Confessing that he loves omelettes, Bond invites us to-
“..try this literary omelette of mine-essays and journal extracts beaten up with skits, sketches, reflections, memories, and words of wit if not of wisdom.”
Bond muses on the many small things that he cherishes, and allows us to contemplate on the many small, unnoticed things which give happiness to us and without which life seems incomplete.

A big bonus in this book is Bond’s own lockdown journal complete with his witty remarks telling us how Bond spent his lockdown, driving away all the fears and distress with his resolve to stay happy always.
Charming, observant, relaxing and highly uplifting, this book can be read whenever you are feeling low or want to read but don’t have enough time.
An octogenarian saying ‘It’s a wonderful life’, strange isn’t it?
Come on, let’s delve into this book and discover for ourselves that ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ after all!!

[Enakshi J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The times are tough yet the spirit should never die. Keeping this in mind, it would be absolutely right to say that reading Ruskin Bond’s memoir was the most appropriate thing to do, for it houses some of the most precious moments of his early life. There are small anecdotes, essays and short narratives that teach us to look at life with the rose-tinted glasses and enjoy the littlest pleasures of life as it is the moments that make life meaningful and not the minutes.

Read the complete review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection contains
The writer from Jamnagar
When all the wars are done: Vignettes
Never a dull moment: Essays
It's a wonderful life: Lockdown journals

Each section contains the writings of Ruskin Bond with his usual brand of writing style on various issues that he loves to write about - nature, humans, wildlife, and friends not to forget memories that amazingly he remembers with details.

[Surabhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing though some of the pages are taken from his past work,but still the lockdown journals part is😍
Such a beautiful human being,so cheerful,so witty,such keen observations❤️

[Vrinda Bagaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplicity and intention behind the book warms your heart. Overall a nice read.

[Prasad Rapaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple & Wonderful

[Loyd Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Ruskin Bond's books always guide me to find happiness in little things and experience simple life to its fullest. His books have power of providing comfort to anyone at any given point in time. This book is not an exception, It is a collection of vignettes, short essays and poems too. He has beautifully explained various stages of his life and the importance of people he had a chance to meet over the years.
📖
Starting with his life in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He has explained how the city had its gardens, beaches and the beauty of countryside. And how over the years it has undergone a complete change into an industrial hub and it doesn't feel his home anymore. In one of the stories he has explained how the nature watches these changes and how the oak tree has seen everything that humans have done to a place.
📖
Mr. Bond has specifically mentioned the roles played by different people in his life over the years. And how they have influenced his thoughts and way of looking at life. It's very obvious that his father has played an important role in shaping his personality, as he has mentioned him multiple times in this book.
📖
Since the author has a habit of collecting things from different places and people, he has mentioned how those things being back the memories though he hasn't met those people in years or in few cases, he has never met them in his life and still they've played a huge role in his life. Like Mis E Sims, his great aunt, whose collection of books helped him to be a reader though they never met eachother. How he keeps horseshoe for good luck, which he had borrowed from Mis Bean. And the postal savings passbook, brings back the memories of him working in London.
📖
He has explained how things are much different now when compared to his childhood and youth. The stories of colouring books having better sales than other books and wild animals entering the houses says a lot about present day.
📖
Overall this was an amazing reading experience for me. It was an easy and a funny book too.
📖
"Solitude is a condition appreciated only by a small minority. It seems to me that most people are scared of being left on their own, for almost every human activity is carried out on a crowded scale."

[Anuradha Sowmyanarayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer from Jamnagar has crafted a warm &comforting book with words of soft wool knitted with positive energy to strengthen us from inside during this pandemic. The book’s title itself is so encouraging to live the life to the fullest. The title so impressed me that I bought the book immediately & read it within a day.

The Eighty –six year old Author shares with us the advice given by his father to him and how he adhered to it – “Paddle your own Canoe”.



This Haiku can be found in the book:

Rhododendrons greet you

Come again

The trees are still the same

The Author happily talks about his hair style, Baggie pants, and also about his lucky horse shoe. His favourite meal is breakfast, a perfect start to a perfect day. Ruskin encourages to grow plants (like tomatoes), it’s is a good thing to watch them grow or evolve & creates much hope in lives.

The Padma Shri Awardee writer’s writing spot being near a window in his house, he is everyday presented with rare activities of Animals around. The window opens up to have a dynamic view of Nature in all forms.

Ruskin is in his best about careful describing or putting into words the beauty of the hills, his walks, and the places he visited etc. He has fond memories of his Radio talks, DD programme (EK Tha Rusty), cosmos flowers & cock. I quote from page 65 of the book: “And to this day I like the sound of a cock crowing at break of day, because this was one of the first sounds that impinged on my brain when I was a child. A cock crowing at dawn. Harbinger of light, of optimism. ‘Great day! Great day! It seems to say. And it will not be denied.”

This book It’s a Wonderful Life Roads to Happiness truly guides and suggest to develop a right attitude toward everything we see.

[Ashutosh Misra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I finally read the last page of this book - funny, very funny on some pages, almost makes you believe that life goes by unnoticed, and yet wonderful and full of happiness. Every funny anecdote made me pause and think - did my life have a similar anecdote? Sometimes answer was yes - it made me grin; when answer was no - I laughed out loud and insisted on sharing it with family that very moment. The book is very short - made me fear that it would be over as soon as I start reading and therefore I let it lie on my coffee table for long. And when I did read, it was over soon - as I had feared, leaving me wanting more. We met Ruskin Bond in Mussoorie few years ago - actually my daughter insisted on meeting as she just adores him. Reading this book felt like that gem of a gentleman was sitting beside me and narrating his life to me - another good book from Mr Bond that can be picked up when one is lonely looking for company. Thank you Sir

[Shruti Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

• This book is simple and beautiful. The content is so soothing just like its cover. I read Ruskin Bond after a long time and it feels so refreshing again. Ruskin Bond is one of my favorite authors and this time again, he has done a commendable job. The book is divided into four parts- Snippets, Vignettes, essays, and lockdown journals. The author talks and laughs with us. He shares his childhood, adult and the days he spent in lockdown. His journey is so warm, calming, and inspiring. Each word is so deep and filled with happiness. The author wants us to grow plants, make our beds, take a walk, and so on. For me, the best part was reading his lockdown days.

Guys, nothing can be better than this book to read these days. Serve yourself this book with a cup of coffee.

[Akash Pawar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Paddle your own canoe. And if you sink, you only have yourself to blame."


It's a Wonderful Life by Ruskin Bond is so beautifully written.

Ruskin Bond's observations about all the little moments while living a life always puts smile on face and it gives sense of positivity.


He writes about impatience wind, sound of silence, reading poem before good night's sleep, the flowers, pen and paper and making your own bed...with all these insights he writes about the universal emotions. 

While reading them you live those little moments again.


"And, When all the wars are done, a butterfly will still be beautiful."

[Nikhil Kamath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of It's a Wonderful Life: Roads to Happiness last year. I only got the opportunity to finally read through it this year though. The book is a collection of Essays and Journals written by Ruskin Bond over the years and during the lockdown of April-May 2020.

Every essay brings a new story and a different perspective of looking at things around you. The author shares about things like how he feels that reading poetry is better than watching TV before going to bed, or how making your own bed helps to build character.

The book is full of various anecdotes and vivid imagery of Mussoorie and Dehradun painted with beautiful words by Mr. Bond.

[Swapna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruskin Bond is one of those writers I have been enjoying since my childhood. I always have a good time with his books. This one is no different. Rooted to the world, he always portrays the world as it is to a common man. This one written during the COVID lockdown is filled with his memories and hopes. His humour as always never fails. Loved this one. A warm fuzzy feeling, since I finished this one while sitting merely a few miles Away from him in Mussourie.

[Debjani Sengupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ruskin Bond writes in his easy and conversational style some stories and essays. There are some lockdown journals included too written between March and May 2020. The book is an easy read like all of Bond’s books. However, some of the writing is repetitive. A more thorough editing would have made the read more enjoyable.

[Palak Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread for sure. Ruskin bond weaves a story of hope and faith and his personal experiences !!! I feel as he writes personal anecdotes, it becomes more relevant and you connect instantly !!! Written during Covid 19 , it humorously and very practically related the essence of pandemic and how one can be hopeful during trying times. !!! A truly uplifting book!!!

[Smitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

007??- 86 & at his best!

Simple and serene..into the world of Mr Bond!
Boosts us in these difficult times ..never fails to take you into another world..after doing covid duties as a doctor..wonderful tonic!

[A_Chirping_Aquarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it super slowly and it made so much sense ! I loved the book... little snippets n cute parts is what makes the book so adorable... ♥️ I loved reading each n every bit 🕶

[Somsubhra Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need Ruskin Bond's words to soothe your soul in tough times like now. Like every other of his books, loved this journey!