A Town Called Dehra

by Ruskin Bond

books

Genres: Nonfiction, Indian Literature, India

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

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

[Shalini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Bond has always been an enthralling ride till the last page. The words come flowing to him like a beautiful river and it sweeps you completely with it. As I read the last word in this book, I feel as if I was with him through his adventures, long walks, tree climbs, river baths like his shadow. My yearning to visit all the paths, places, trees, rivers, cemeteries, gardens, bakeries, Bond mentions in his books, grows stronger with every book. There is magic in the mountains and he brings that magic right into your hands with his wonderful prose in the form of memoirs. The impact is such that one is as nostalgic, as Bond himself, about these places!

[Nivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Town Called Dehra is a collection of short stories mostly based on Ruskin Bond's relationship with Dehradun. All stories deal with losing something or someone precious. Nostalgia, memories, the past, unrequited love, loneliness are common themes. Ruskin Bond survived through all of these. Ruskin Bond outlived his parents, and most of his family, the Dehradun once used to be, the trees his father planted, the bungalow his grandfather built, his childhood friends, his love affairs and about these he wrote these stories.

[Ankita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I travelled with Ruskin Bond through the green picturesque town, reliving his early days. The Dehradun of the yesteryears invoked in me a certain longing for the place, yearning for a simpler life and to be surrounded by  these interesting characters that he speaks of.The town of the 1950s which Bond fondly remembers while reminiscing his childhood marks a stark difference to that of the present day.

The quaint lanes, mountains of mussorie in the background, the faint trace of the bygone colonial era draws in the reader with his simplistic and heart touching writing.

[Kavitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of short stories. The stories are based on the author's childhood memories of growing up in the beautiful town of Dehradun. Dehradun is a beautiful valley at The Himalayan Foothills. I have never been to Dehradun, but its easily relatable. A small sleepy town blessed by Mother Nature. It's a lovely read. A brilliant, yet simple writing.

[Vikas Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vintage Ruskin Bond at his best. The book is a nostalgic journey back to Dehradun where Ruskin spent his early childhood and later wrote some of his best stories before settling down in Mussoorie and Landour. A brilliant take on how development is fast turning the once peaceful and beautiful surroundings of Dehradun into a concrete jungle. A must read for all Ruskin Bond fans

[Jeffrey Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evokes life in Dehradun in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was a relatively small city. It also gives us glimpses of Ruskin Bond's upbringing in genteel poverty.

Note that a reviewer in the (national) Indian Express newspaper gave this book a rave review for it evocative historical descriptions.

[Vijetha Suvarna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful depiction of local life... that thrives on gossips, tea, where simple gestures were more than enough to convey feelings,... all in all... Life the simpler way!
A must read :)

[Audrija Choudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again Ruskin Bond's writings always fill my heart with a longing for the good old times... This book particularly paints the picture of old Dehra...the expressions, choice of words are so amazing that I don't have words to describe...

[Varunika Sood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruskin BOND always steals the heart and the best part you always feel like present in the nature over the place. The intricate details weave in the magic

[Damini Tiwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will go to Dehra and mussoorie not to meet and look for old friends but simply to cherish and recapture the old vanishing memories.
Love for Nature, memories.... Nostalgia.... What a wonderful book ❤️

[Adrita Choudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a treat to read Ruskin Bond. He has not failed to surprise us with his simple and yet magnificent narration. He recounts the fond memories of the old Dehradun and its residents as he grew up. Absolutely stunning!

[Kumar Anshul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by a close friend 5 years ago and finally I read it today and it also happens to be my first Ruskin Bond's

This is a collection of short stories, mostly non fiction, of the time spent by Bond in the town of Dehra (now known as Dehradun). The stories will take you back to the world of British Raj, Gramophone, Tonga rides, old magazines, green Foothills of Himalayas, life of Britishers in India and so on. There is a clear sense of nostalgia and a sense of longing for the Dehra of that time in the writings of author as he reminisces about the time he had spent in the town as a kid and adult. Since all the stories are based in Dehra and were written at different times, you might find some of the themes and things described repetitively, but still this book is among those that you would want to pick up on a summer afternoon after your siesta.

[Dhriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

I went into this book thinking it’s all about Dehra and what life was like there, but it was more of a memoir of Ruskin Bond aaaand, not that I’m disappointed, but it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

NONETHELESS, I loved the vibe of this book.

Old Dehra
Pleasant summer sun baths in valleys
Afternoons with granny in the veranda
Early morning mist
Reading in a tree in the still afternoon

All of this book made me wish I was somewhere in Dehra in the 1950s.

Overall, this book was enjoyable. But it would be marvellous for the people who already love and read Ruskin Bond more than I ever did.

All in all, I liked this sweet, little book giving insight on his life in old Dehra, but I wouldn’t read it again.

[Shashank · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Will go back to a non-audiobook version.

[MountainKid ED · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live long my friend, be wise and strong.
But do not take from any man his song❤️

[Neha Sakuja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and beautiful narrative.

[Saujanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book. That is the thing that first comes to my mind about this Ruskin Bond memoir.
The beautiful and simple depiction of daily life in a small town during the pre and the post independence times proves to be an intriguing read.
I am forced to smile whenever I read about Bansi the tonga-driver, Meena (his first crush) and the wild boys Somi and Daljit.
The most fascinating element is the time spent with Bond's grandparents and his encounters with the railways. I suppose I can totally relate to them.
I love the way how Dehradun has been described here, at par with Malgudi. The ordinary local life had been alleviated by using simple and imaginative language.The local cinema, the market, the wild flowers, the colonial bungalows, the use of cycles and tongas.....all transport us to a different world.
I would definitely say this: Dehradun has been immortalized in this book.

[Dishari Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a vivid description of Dehradun in all its beauty just during the independence and also after that. A rare glimpse of the life that young (and later the adult) Ruskin had after his return from England. His first brush with Tragedy (which involved losing his father), Romance (a girl named Meena), the friendships he forged for life, everything provides for an engaging read. The beautiful poems that he penned at the end of this memoir also makes for an interesting reading. This book almost makes you want to visit the Dehra of 1940's and '50s.

[El Mountain Child · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Bond has always been and always will be the best writer for me. The language he uses is simple and the stories he narrates take me to the hills, the Himalayas. His stories are so intriguing that I just can't put his books down and read them in one go.

This book has the stories from his childhood and boyhood, about his neighbors, about the tonga boy with paan stained teeth about his grandmother and her beautiful garden, and about the dehra of his times.

[Swarna Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every time you can feel yourself in someone else's experiences, this book had done this magical trick for me- I could actually feel this small settlement called Dehra, back in 1947/50. I almost lived in it- a wonderful experience.

[Sachin Prabhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Mr.Bond this book is for you!! I loved it!! Mr.Bond introduces to the dehradun or dehra he knows,where he grew up.The book also has photographs of Bond ,family and friends. Being a fan of Mr.Bond this book is close to my heart.

[Prachi Bahukhandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Bond...Ruskin Bond!!!.
Another novella by the author which gives a glimpse of the old Dehra...

[Ujjwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

really great book, the stories are very nostalgic and makes fall in love with Dehra. Just a wonderful collection of stories, some of which autobiographical. I am a big fan of Rusking Bond.

[Aiswarya Menon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty in simplicity!!! made me want to move to Dehra :) and must add that cover of the book is beautiful

[Surabhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful as ever. Takes you to an era gone by and gives you a sweet nostalgia.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruskin Bond is a born story-teller. His evocative stories so beautifully capture his memories of childhood and growing up in Dehradun. I personally feel that there is so much to learn from this book and the stories contained in it. The vivid descriptions of overdevelopment and the transformation of a quiet garden town to a concrete city where people rush 'faceless' past each other are recurring themes in these stories. Themes of overpopulation and overdevelopment are becoming increasingly relevant in a World that seems to have lost the ability to have an honest discussion about such topics.

[Unboxing Perspectives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, little and Rusky's signature writing. This book is a memoir of the time Ruskin Sir spent in Dehra (Popularly known as Dehradun today).
Some stories are good and then there are some others which are so moving that it needs a moment to digest what you just read. He narrates everything so easily and even death feels like falling into slumber and yet it hits.
I can pick his books without second thoughts.

[Madhu | · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read for every person who is a fan of living a simple life amidst of nature, tea and little gossip.

I visited Dehradun in my thoughts whilst reading (listening) to this amazing work of Ruskin Bond. After reaching the end, I felt like I am experiencing everything that has been described here and I am a part of it.

[Sundarraj Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in the hills as experienced by the author. The author picks up pieces from his journal and from his mind and puts together a wonder book full of innocence. The book goes to highlight the innocence of the author.

A must read for fans of Ruskin Bond.

[Tina Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

He does it again.
For reasons known and unknown it all feels so surreal to me.

Every bit of the story has so much life in it,
There's so much to learn from these stories and so much to dwell upon.

I feel nostalgic reading it, even though I happen to live here.