Ruskin Bond of India: A True Son of the Soil (Hardbound - 2008)

Ruskin Bond is a well-known Indian writer of British descent. His deep love for Indian culture and its people developed an understanding that enlarged the scope of Indian-English relationship. Treading through the labyrinth of various predicaments in his childhood, Bond chose to settle down in the foothills of the Himalayas—the adobe of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. In the rendering of his childhood trauma, he found solace and meaning to his life in the calm and peaceful landscape of the Himalayas. Nature in its myriad shades and contours enriched his soul that find brilliant expression in his writings.

The recent years have seen the publication of a few serious academic studies of Ruskin Bond. Nevertheless, a comprehensive study of the author is still wanting. This book endeavours to fill this gap. An attempt has been made to trace the autobiographical elements in the various creative writings of Ruskin Bond, and analyze the treatment meted out to them. Genuinely good literature must provide willing suspension of disbelief as well as objective correlative in order to meet the twin requirements of being life-like and yet not overshadowed by the author’s personal life and circumstances. Bond’s work fulfils both these requirements.

The book argues that the prevalent view about Bond as a popular entertainer is not necessarily the correct view. Deeper studies of his works reveal a serious ecological concern. Further, the book also discusses that this deep ecological concern is a natural byproduct of his genuine bond with the soil India. The book also includes an interview with Ruskin Bond which throws light on various aspects of his personality.

Norah Nivedita Shaw has been teaching English Literature in Magadh University colleges for the last eleven years. Presently she is teaching at Shri Arvind Mahila College, Patna (Bihar).

She has worked on Ruskin Bond’s writings, obtaining Ph.D. from Magadh University. A number of her papers have been published in research journals and collections of critical writings on Indian English Literature. She has participated in many national seminars and presented papers at several literary forums.