Question

Write a book review on any book of your choice with the help of the following points.

• Story line
• Social/Historical content
• Writing style
• My thought

Answer 1

The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond

• Story line: The story in this book is about an orphaned boy named Rusty. He is a sad and lonely boy, living with his guardian, Mr. Harrison. Rusty, in his search for an identity, dares to venture out of the house and make new friends. He is finally left homeless by Harrison, and this is when he realises what it means to be an orphan in the truest sense. Rusty’s friend comes. to his rescue when he lands Rusty a job teaching English. Things are fine for a while, after which a strange sequence of events occurs, and Rusty ends up homeless again. This time, he is on the verge of leaving for England when his student, Kishen, stops him, and together they decide to start afresh in life on a new note.
• Social/Historical content: The story about the Anglo-Indian teenager Rusty bears a striking resemblance to the life of its writer, Ruskin Bond. Despite Ruskin's pain at his parents’ separation and a lonely childhood, he developed an optimistic outlook on life much like Rusty does in the story. It is this teenager’s search for freedom, identity, and friends that creates the story's context and plot. The book was published in 1956, just after India acquired independence. It reflects on a time when a few English remained back in India for good. It depicts how life comes a complete circle for Rusty, from being lonely to being surrounded by friends and yet being lonely again. Only this time around, Rusty is wise enough to realise that he has the potential to begin life afresh.
• Writing style: Ruskin Bond has a distinctly poetic writing style. His choice of words and placement of imagery provide for an interesting yet lucid read. Particularly fascinating is the narrative. When the boy finds himself torn between living in India and England. Ruskin is very descriptive and hence uses many adjectives to support his writing, which makes his works delightful to read. He has also cleverly conveyed in the novel how strangers can become part and parcel of Orie’s life by being kind and warm in their interactions. Rusty, the central character in the novel, uses this same idea to make friends for life.
• My thought: I love this book because of its simple style and the picture it paints of a teenage boy I can relate to, since we are of the same generation. I also like the multiple emotions the author depicts beautifully in this piece. I would like to read other works of Ruskin. Bond, because of his expertise in making simple things beautiful.