THE MAN WHO WAS KIPLING

by Ruskin Bond

‘…a tall, stooping, elderly gentleman sat down beside me. I gave him a quick glance, noting his swarthy features, heavy moustache, and horn-rimmed spectacles. There was something familiar and disturbing about his face, and I couldn’t resist looking at him again.I noticed that he was smiling at me.’The Man Who Was Kipling is a collection of stories which should be on the must-read list of every reader. We are introduced to a man in a museum in London who claims to be the ghost of Rudyard Kipling. Then there is a schoolboy’s encounter with a mysterious woman, while waiting for their trains to arrive. We have an inspector pitting his wits against a murder mystery and a writer who always takes the same route into the city to catch a glimpse of a balcony belonging to a past love. And then there is the timeless classic ‘Sita and the River’ that will tug at your heartstrings. Through this collection, Ruskin Bond has us enthralled, yet again, with his effortless storytelling of these tales and more.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2017

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

[Vaibhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wherever you go or whatever you do, most of your life will have to happen in your mind. And there’s no escape from that little room!

The man who was Kipling, is a collection of 12 short stories written by Ruskin Bond, that will take you back to the simple and unspoilt times. These 12 pieces of fiction will take you on a ride through romance, mystery, friendship, horror and courage.

The book includes nice little stories such as The Woman on Platform No. 8 which is a touching story about a mother's love. She does not want anything in return for her love to the little child, whom she will never meet again. She freely showers her love on him.

The title story - Man who was Kipling is a short fictional account of his encounter with Sir Rudyard Kipling and discussing about his life and works (which he describes as his ultimate fan moment). Bond is deeply impressed by Rudyard Kipling, chiefly due to his passionate adherence to the great Himalayas. Kipling explored northern India and admired its children, language and customs which served much inspiration to Bond.

In another classic story, Death of a familiar, Bond touches upon the issue of love and responsibility. Sunil, the proud seducer and the sensualist, the rude pleasure seeker, who absolutely fail as lovers. He took a superficial view of love and ultimately end in failure. Life is coquetry and girls are only a source of Enjoyment to him. He only flirts with girls for his own pleasure.

Also mentioning some teachings of the bent double Beggar – Ganpat, to make your life slightly much better –
1.) A woman can be jealous of anyone, anything,’ Even of a ghost.
2.) It is no use getting upset about delays in India; they come with unfailing punctuality.

In Calypso Christmas he narrates, a fantastic portray of all the George friends coming in from Trinidad and attending party at Bonds London house on Christmas Eve, dancing calypso at the tune of banana boats beats, how it's one of the best Christmas he had in his life. He is in awe of how full of color, music and sunshine London can be.

He mentions the following in one of his interviews – ‘I never discourage anyone from writing, but I urge them to pay attention to their language. If they are good readers, they would be good writers. I also tell them not to be in a hurry or expect fame and fortune overnight because it very rarely comes that way.’ Reading is necessary for growth and then writing. May this read be rewarding to all you young readers.

[Taani Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read

[Srikumar Krishna Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short story collection from Bond. Surprised that I managed to come across a collection in Amazon Kindle store, where they have completely messed Bond's works by creating too many collections repeating the stories in various permutation & combination.
All the stories were enaging with the typical Bond twists & turns and the surprising end.
Again most of the stories reminded the reader of his life and times.
A collection that will gel together with a train journey.