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Upon an Old Wall Dreaming: More of my Favourite Stories and Sketches
Ruskin Bond’s writing brings the world to us in profound and remarkable ways. His signature style is simplicity itself, but the themes he tackles are big, deep and universal—love, loss, happiness, grief, and all the shades of emotion in between. These are stories of city and small town, mountain and lowland, and of life lived slowly and lightly. For over fifty years, these tales have charmed and beguiled several generations of readers. Last year, Ruskin Bond made a selection of his favourite stories (from the several hundred that he has written) that were published in a book entitled A Gathering of Friends. It proved to be enormously popular, selling out in a matter of weeks. Encouraged by its success, the author has made a further selection of his favourite stories and non-fiction sketches, leavening the mix with several pieces that have never been published before. It is a collection that will burnish his reputation as one of the world’s great storytellers.
- GenresFiction
188 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2016
48 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
682 books3,579 followersRuskin 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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 1, 2019
The book had an unbelievably calming effect on me, because very few people tell the tales of living in the mountains like Ruskin Bond does. The book felt like a getaway or a retreat to the hills. It felt like I had taken refuge at one of the pretty homestays in the hills and didn't want the virtual holiday to come to an end. Beautiful is one word for this, and I know there are more. Another book from Amazon Prime Reading Library! :)
September 7, 2018
Like a gentle breeze in the dusk, this book blew past my heart. Bringing love for the nature which I never knew I had in me. Ruskin bond's words are true to the old adage you live thousand life through books. I have thoroughly lived through early centuries of a land untouched by greed. For that I will forever be grateful to the wonderful Mr. Bond.
February 12, 2018
That moment suspended in time..
Typical ofRuskin Bond writing ,there is distinct a sense of timelessness to the stories .Its as if in that moment life is still, that time has coagulated..I can only hear the whisper of the winds playing with the trees,the songs of the thrush and the shahi bulbul..
Typical ofRuskin Bond writing ,there is distinct a sense of timelessness to the stories .Its as if in that moment life is still, that time has coagulated..I can only hear the whisper of the winds playing with the trees,the songs of the thrush and the shahi bulbul..
July 3, 2025
Book Review: Upon an Old Wall Dreaming
Author: Ruskin Bond
If stories could sigh and breathe like old trees, Upon an Old Wall Dreaming by Ruskin Bond would be a gentle wind rustling through Himalayan pines.
In this deeply personal collection of sketches and stories, Bond does not just write — he wanders, remembers, and dreams. Every page feels like a window flung open to the past, letting in sunlight, birdsong, and the scent of damp hill soil. Whether it’s the rustling leaves outside his Mussoorie window or a wistful memory of a childhood friend, his prose wraps itself around the reader like a warm shawl on a cool mountain morning.
Bond doesn’t chase grandeur; he captures the magic in the mundane — a snail on a garden wall, a forgotten tune drifting down the valley, or a long-lost smile from a stranger. His writing reminds us that wonder isn’t loud — it often whispers.
What makes this book stand out is its timeless simplicity. It doesn’t try to impress; it only seeks to connect, and that’s exactly what it does — deeply and quietly.
⭐ Verdict:
A nostalgic balm for the restless soul.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
“Not all who wander are lost — some, like Ruskin Bond, are just quietly dreaming on old walls.”
Author: Ruskin Bond
If stories could sigh and breathe like old trees, Upon an Old Wall Dreaming by Ruskin Bond would be a gentle wind rustling through Himalayan pines.
In this deeply personal collection of sketches and stories, Bond does not just write — he wanders, remembers, and dreams. Every page feels like a window flung open to the past, letting in sunlight, birdsong, and the scent of damp hill soil. Whether it’s the rustling leaves outside his Mussoorie window or a wistful memory of a childhood friend, his prose wraps itself around the reader like a warm shawl on a cool mountain morning.
Bond doesn’t chase grandeur; he captures the magic in the mundane — a snail on a garden wall, a forgotten tune drifting down the valley, or a long-lost smile from a stranger. His writing reminds us that wonder isn’t loud — it often whispers.
What makes this book stand out is its timeless simplicity. It doesn’t try to impress; it only seeks to connect, and that’s exactly what it does — deeply and quietly.
⭐ Verdict:
A nostalgic balm for the restless soul.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
“Not all who wander are lost — some, like Ruskin Bond, are just quietly dreaming on old walls.”
March 23, 2020
Listening to this marked my first audible book selection, and I was enchanted by Ruskin Bond's words from beginning to end. These memories and vignettes are poetic, spanning numerous themes: friendship and solitude, ambition and humility, leaving a personal mark and losing self into a fuller experience. Yes, these may seem contradictions, but full lessons are presented in these stories and sketches. Some chapters are straightforward memories from young adulthood, others seem to be fables in which animals (and trees) reflect human qualities, and some present personal lessons learned from elders. Humor pops up when I least expect it, and I'll be listening again for nuances, a deeper appreciation of the words, and to determine which of these 21 works is my favorite. At least for a while, the Audible selections are free, so please check this out. Because this is an uncertain time for all of us - late March of 2020 - I found the wisdom to be exceptionally grounding and comforting. Please take the time to listen. You very well may find these selections enchanting, just as I did.
stories.audible.com/start-listen
or
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
stories.audible.com/start-listen
or
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
November 18, 2017
Just Beautiful, What else to say! Ruskin Bond books brings back all my memories of Dehradun and mussoorie and how I fell in love with that place. Of all my visits to Mussoorie, a few are those by bus or vehicle, while mostly we trekked through mountains, walked through Jungles and always found a new way to reach, 'queen of hills' It was always utmost joy and unforgettable experience to be with nature that way, and Bond's work brings back all that. I started trekking, bird watching and long nature walks in this place only and felt an overwhelming love and respect towards nature. It gave me a basic design and structure on how to lead life and how an association with nature teach you, fulfills you and makes you a better person. Its always a delight to read Bond's works as it details everything eye sees and heart feels in that place. These light humurous essays replinishes soul and adds positivity to mood. Long live Ruskin ji
Love always
Love always
Read
July 9, 2024'Time you old gypsy man
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day'- Ralph Hodgson
There's a certain charm in how Ruskin Bond conjures up images of the mountains and the creative, fictive dream-the perils of the writing life. Having read many of his books, Landour, Mussoorie, the Raj, Dehradun, the Punjabi step father, Kathiawar and London are familiar tropes and themes he chooses to repeat. It still does not get stale so Bond has a certain je ne sais quoi- the ineffable lightness of being. Got to know his literary icons were Somerset Maugham, Hugh Walpole, J.B Priestley, Graham Greene, H.E. Bates, and P.G. Wodehouse. So, is he the Sahib with the Indian soul or the Indian with white skin? There's a story of a grinning skull with a maverick personality. So, guess deep inside Ruskin Bond's cranium lies the answer to this question.
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day'- Ralph Hodgson
There's a certain charm in how Ruskin Bond conjures up images of the mountains and the creative, fictive dream-the perils of the writing life. Having read many of his books, Landour, Mussoorie, the Raj, Dehradun, the Punjabi step father, Kathiawar and London are familiar tropes and themes he chooses to repeat. It still does not get stale so Bond has a certain je ne sais quoi- the ineffable lightness of being. Got to know his literary icons were Somerset Maugham, Hugh Walpole, J.B Priestley, Graham Greene, H.E. Bates, and P.G. Wodehouse. So, is he the Sahib with the Indian soul or the Indian with white skin? There's a story of a grinning skull with a maverick personality. So, guess deep inside Ruskin Bond's cranium lies the answer to this question.
July 6, 2018
Ruskin Bond's work is timeless. His words make you want to live in times when serenity was a way of life. This particular anthology drives home the message that there is so much more in the world. It kindles that sense of wonder, which we are losing day by day. To bring out the depth of an emotion, he does not resort to using a larger-than-life situation. It is all in the small instances of life.
July 28, 2018
This collection contains both fiction and non-fiction collection. Though certain pieces are repeated reading them still remains the pleasurable experience. From this I enjoyed reading most
A face in the dark
The skull
The last tiger
Tiger in the cemetery
Life at my own pace
A good philosopht
A fright in the night
Upon the old wall dreaming
Stories to tell
And suddenly it's Summer
A face in the dark
The skull
The last tiger
Tiger in the cemetery
Life at my own pace
A good philosopht
A fright in the night
Upon the old wall dreaming
Stories to tell
And suddenly it's Summer
June 10, 2019
Classic Ruskin Bond short stories. It is a mix of Fiction & Non-fiction stories. You can feel that special bond between nature & Author in each story (especially the birds 🐦).
The birds must be singing his praises all the time. Each story has a soul in it.
Great read.
Thanks Ruskin sir for these stories.
The birds must be singing his praises all the time. Each story has a soul in it.
Great read.
Thanks Ruskin sir for these stories.
August 5, 2020
Lot of short stories and anecdotes which remind me of my school English textbooks, in short simpler times. I picked up this book whenever I had few minutes to spare and the stories are such that they leave you feeling happy or satisfied.
A good book to gift a young kid to build up reading habits. I guess this also happens to be my first Ruskin bond book.
A good book to gift a young kid to build up reading habits. I guess this also happens to be my first Ruskin bond book.
March 19, 2022
A collection of short stories handpicked by Ruskin Bond himself, this was a simplistic and light book.
"A Case for Inspector Lal" and "My Father's Trees in Dehra" were my favourite as they pulled my heartstrings ever so gently.
The other stories weren't suitable to my taste, and I found them either rather weird or lacking substance, often being too simplistic.
"A Case for Inspector Lal" and "My Father's Trees in Dehra" were my favourite as they pulled my heartstrings ever so gently.
The other stories weren't suitable to my taste, and I found them either rather weird or lacking substance, often being too simplistic.
February 21, 2020
This book takes us along on a voyage through the different stages of Ruskin Bond's life. The ups and downs, the unique observations and remarks about people, all the minute details about nature in all its glory...
August 15, 2017
He never disappoints. You can actually "feel". Now that my vacation is coming to an end, I feel blessed that it was one of the books that I am ending with.
May 10, 2019
An amazing story teller he is.my most favorite is Bus stop, piplanagarand the last tiger.
November 9, 2019
Ruskin bond is such a nature lover.. he makes you fall in love with the tiny things in life. Good read. Love his writing❤️
August 24, 2020
It was an amazing book .
March 16, 2024
The book takes you in a totally different world where everything seems stand still. Everything is so calm. Very common characters act as protagonists for each story, which relates to every reader.
October 14, 2020
I didn't enjoy this book at all. I can't say why as there is no good reason but it just wasn't a book I could gather any interest in. I stuck with it until the end but it couldn't change my mind.
April 16, 2021
"Did he enjoy being alive? I wonder now. He was not a
Joyful person; but then, neither was he miserable. I should think
he was genuine stoic, one of those who do not attach overmuch
importance to themselves, who are emotionally uninvolved,
content with their limitations, their dark corners. I wanted to get
to know the old man better, to sound him out on the immense
questions involved in roasting peanuts all his life; but it's too
late now. The last time I visited the bazaar the dark corner was
deserted. The old man had vanished; the coolies had carried him
down to the cremation ground." ~Ruskin Bond
It was an aged edition that I bought discounted just like the stories in then excerpted from the writer's journals involving his short stories like "the skull", "A face in the dark" and many more. The book is divided into the writer's fiction works as well as non fictions. This is one of the books of his that I possess and I am obsessed with. Funny tales, writer's reflections, journal excerpts. This book will make you fulfil your Ruskin Bond 's word discoveries if you feel you have missed anything. This book is a short cut to the hills to the back to the wonderness of hills with the thrush singing, the breeze blowing, the leaves dancing and the birds all set to melody with the tiny insect creatures making their way across to their pleasures. Imagine Mr.Bond sitting by the wall with the world to look on to and all his wonderful stories coming across his head. I want to romanticize life just like the writer does in as written in this book. I want to stop and notice a little sparrow make it's nest while going to my worldly hazzels. Only if people could hear nature with the honking of cars and the buzzing of alarm bells. Ruskin bond improves my vision of viewing the world by every book I read by him. The book made me visit those little unnoticed corners of the world and I cannot recommend it enough. Every book by him is a bliss. Simple pleasures and loved people is what has made this book.
Joyful person; but then, neither was he miserable. I should think
he was genuine stoic, one of those who do not attach overmuch
importance to themselves, who are emotionally uninvolved,
content with their limitations, their dark corners. I wanted to get
to know the old man better, to sound him out on the immense
questions involved in roasting peanuts all his life; but it's too
late now. The last time I visited the bazaar the dark corner was
deserted. The old man had vanished; the coolies had carried him
down to the cremation ground." ~Ruskin Bond
It was an aged edition that I bought discounted just like the stories in then excerpted from the writer's journals involving his short stories like "the skull", "A face in the dark" and many more. The book is divided into the writer's fiction works as well as non fictions. This is one of the books of his that I possess and I am obsessed with. Funny tales, writer's reflections, journal excerpts. This book will make you fulfil your Ruskin Bond 's word discoveries if you feel you have missed anything. This book is a short cut to the hills to the back to the wonderness of hills with the thrush singing, the breeze blowing, the leaves dancing and the birds all set to melody with the tiny insect creatures making their way across to their pleasures. Imagine Mr.Bond sitting by the wall with the world to look on to and all his wonderful stories coming across his head. I want to romanticize life just like the writer does in as written in this book. I want to stop and notice a little sparrow make it's nest while going to my worldly hazzels. Only if people could hear nature with the honking of cars and the buzzing of alarm bells. Ruskin bond improves my vision of viewing the world by every book I read by him. The book made me visit those little unnoticed corners of the world and I cannot recommend it enough. Every book by him is a bliss. Simple pleasures and loved people is what has made this book.
June 9, 2016
I came across this book in The Hindu Sunday magazine on May 29; instantly I ordered for it on Amazon, and finished in 2-3 sittings.
Wonderful, largely because except one story I have not read any other. The second part of the book contains some essays by Mr Bond, and the words, when you read, sang in my mind like the spring cuckoos. Interestingly, within the last few months this was second book by Mr Bond I read, and there is one more I am going to read - A little book of Happiness.
I recommend this volume to everyone. Apparently, this volume is a sequel to his "Gathering of friends" which was acclaimed to have sold out very rapidly.
I wish Mr. Bond a good health for a longer time so that we keep reading.
Wonderful, largely because except one story I have not read any other. The second part of the book contains some essays by Mr Bond, and the words, when you read, sang in my mind like the spring cuckoos. Interestingly, within the last few months this was second book by Mr Bond I read, and there is one more I am going to read - A little book of Happiness.
I recommend this volume to everyone. Apparently, this volume is a sequel to his "Gathering of friends" which was acclaimed to have sold out very rapidly.
I wish Mr. Bond a good health for a longer time so that we keep reading.
December 3, 2016
He is magic. I mean- Ruskin Bond.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews