Spread the love          His writing is straight from the heart. Simple words and profound thoughts- the books are indeed a pleasure to read. No wonder even at the age of 85, Ruskin Bond’s books are popular across readers. Bond still has a strong fan following and bookstores still pile on his publications. Well, I am an ardent reader of his books and pick up every single title of his. The latest titles from Ruskin Bond are three personal memoirs that were officially released by Penguin India on the occasion of his 85th Birthday. Coming Round the Mountain When words come out of a memory jar, you get a book as lovely as this. Coming Round the Mountain is a personal memoir of Ruskin Bond set against the backdrop of the Partition. The book was officially released by the author on 19 May, 2019 on his birthday. On the heels of two other personal memoirs- Looking for the Rainbow and Till the Clouds Roll By, this book narrates Bond’s life as a 13 year old teen. Also Read: Lone Fox Dancing-Autobiography by Ruskin Bond What’s life for a 13 year old at a boarding school? At a time when the country is torn into two- divided into two nations, Ruskin’s life is spent in boarding school. Amidst academics, friendship, discipline and rules- the young boys of Bishop Cottons Shimla are unaware of the harsh reality and the impact of the territorial division. “With Independence came a division of the country. The familiar India of our maps and postage stamps and railway timetables disappeared overnight. Borders were drawn, two Pakistans were created- one in Bengal, the other in Punj” – Ruskin Bond The year of Partition brings about a whole lot of changes. The country gaining freedom, the country losing a piece of its territory and at such a time Ruskin’s friendship is at stake. The changes are overwhelming for the young teen. But if there was one constant thing in Ruskin’s life it was his love for reading as well as his love for putting things down on paper. It is the pleasure of reading and writing that helps the young Ruskin gain confidence and self-belief, enabling him to handle the uncertainties brewing around the world he is part of. The ooh & the aah! The book is a simple volume and could be completed in less than a day. The narrative is complemented by illustrations that I quite liked. Ruskin’s story telling is unmatched and it depicts the turmoil experienced by one and all at the time of partition brilliantly. Enjoyable anecdotes about his friends, his eccentricities and passions soak you in warmth. This book is a classic in the making. Pick it up irrespective of whether you are a Ruskin Bond fan or not. It has passion, is funny, and can move you to tears too. My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews The book is available on Amazon in hardbound & e-book format. *This book was received from the publisher in return for an honest and unbiased review **Disclaimer: This blog post contains an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission, if you click through and make a purchase. Spread the love