book review of the room on the roof

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Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond - review

‘a simple story made into such a touching and sad book’

Room on the Roof is about an orphaned boy named Rusty who has no real family after his parents’ death. He is very lonely and sad and even though he lives with his guardian (Mr. John Harrison), he doesn’t feel at home. Rusty is going through several emotions: he is confused, obliged, helpless, lonely and sad. He is confused because he is a young boy between the age of an adult and child and doesn’t know who to follow or what his future holds. He is obliged to follow the orders and rules of his guardian and dares not disobey him. He feels helpless because he knows that if he disobeys Mr. John, he will get caned. Rusty doesn’t have any real friends and he is so very lonely in his guardian’s house.

Even though Rusty is half-Indian, John doesn’t let Rusty near the bazaar for a reason: John thinks that Indians are very dirty and this story is written just after the British had ruled over India, so he must have felt more superior!

One day, Rusty decides to get some fresh air and takes a walk while his guardian was away in Delhi. After walking through the forest, he stops in front of the bazaar and his mind is arguing with his instinct. His mind is saying, Don’t go! You will get into trouble . But his instinct is saying, Go! You have your own heart and mind. You don’t have to live under rules all the time . Rusty chooses to follow his instinct and steps into the bazaar.

He has made a good choice. Up until now, Rusty doesn’t have any hope or confidence but then he meets a kind boy named Somi and makes friends with him. Somi and his friends become Rusty’s hope and confidence, and Somi and Ranbir are really kind to Rusty. When Rusty returns home, he finds that his guardian has returned early and gets caned for going to the bazaar. The next day, he goes to play Holi with Ranbir and once again gets caned. Rusty now knows what he has to do. He starts to live his own life and runs away from his guardian’s house. Rusty finds Somi who supports him a lot.

Slowly, from a confused boy, Rusty turns into a confident and independent young man! He gets a job teaching English to a boy named Kishen, in return for a tiny room on the roof and food. He finds a loving and fun family, his independence, and even finds his ‘first love’ in Kishen’s mother Meena. The story takes a turn, when he loses all his friends and his first love too. Now Rusty’s last source of confidence and hope has gone away and his lonely days return. Rusty spends his sad days looking out at the window and once again, plans to run away. He decides to go back to England but before doing so, he wants to say a last goodbye to his friends and finds Kishen who convinces him to change his mind about returning to the UK. Instead, the two walk away together to form their own new world and life without worrying about anything else.

What I like about the book:

I like this book because it was written from a teenager’s perspective. The author was seventeen when he wrote this and the story was inspired by his own experiences when he lived in Dehra. He wrote this story because he too was feeling some of the emotions that Rusty was feeling in the story. And for that reason, he decided that he would never make any revisions so readers could understand how it feels to be seventeen.

It was a great read because it has a lot of different emotions and I like the way Ruskin Bond has written it: a simple story made into such a touching and sad book.

There were a few funny descriptions, such as when Ruskin Bond described a situation as: ‘When a butterfly landed on the missionary’s wife’s palatial bosom….’ I laughed a lot and when my mum read it, she also laughed.

After reading Room on The Roof, I am looking forward to reading a few of Ruskin Bond’s other stories. I wonder why children of my generation don’t read more of his books. Here are some books I am interested in reading from his collection: Panther’s Moon and Other Stories, The Hidden Pool, and Rusty goes to London.

I think the author has explained an important message in this book. Rusty’s guardian seems to be a little racist, who chooses to live in India but not mix with the people there. I think if people live in a country, they should mix with the people and appreciate their culture.

The lesson in this story for me is to remain open as Rusty was and to follow my instincts. If Rusty had not becomes friends with the people of the bazaar he would never have had all the wonderful experiences in the story.

Ruskin Bond reminds me of Roald Dahl because they both use interesting language and really funny phrases to describe their characters and their stories. They both write simple but wonderful stories. Even though, Roald Dahl is more fantastical and Ruskin Bond’s stories feel like memoirs but presented as a story.

I WOULD GIVE THIS BOOK A 9 OUT OF 10 RATING!

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The Room on the Roof – Friendship, Love, and Growing Up!

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There is rarely any Indian youngster who has not read Ruskin Bond . Be it our school syllabus or a random book gift; we have all stumbled across Bond at some point in our lives. He is not only a splendid writer, but the way he strikes the chords of our hearts is unmatchable. Every story of his comes with a bag of nostalgia, memories, and a reminiscence of the good old days. The way he describes his native place, travel tales, and memories of his childhood days – we can’t help but relate to every piece of his work.

The Room on the Roof (Review)

“The Room on the Roof”   is the first literary work of Bond, and I regret reading it so late. It is one of the most beautiful stories I have come across this year. The simplicity and innocence of the narrator would win your heart for sure. The book goes through the complexities, emotions, and curiosity of young adult boys in a mesmerizing manner. One of my favorite parts was the vivid description of the Indian bazaar – from the fresh vegetables to the vendors chasing away the cows, the ayahs bathing the kids, to the hot fritters on the pan – Bond plays well with our sensory interactions.

No doubt, the book in itself is no less than a colorful bazaar of smells, animals, urchins, poverty, and above all, hopes, promises, and unbreakable bonds. Not only that, but space also plays a vital role in establishing the difference between the world of Rusty from that of Ranbir, Somi, Kishen, and the like. On one side of the Clock Tower was the Anglo-Indian household of Rusty’s uncles, where he felt trapped and ruled. On the other side, was the world that called out to Rusty – the world of true India in all its glory. As the author calls it, which is where ‘began life itself.’ And for Rusty, all three, the life, India, and of course, the bazaar was like the forbidden fruit.

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The wonderful depiction of Holi would make you miss the festival so much. All the merrymaking, the riot of colors, faces smeared with reds and blues and yellows, and the torn clothes – it was like a whole new world for Rusty. This was a world where he didn’t have to worry about the cane beatings from Mr. Harrison, a world where he could live freely and unapologetically.

“For one day, Ranbir and his friends forgot their homes and their work and the problem of the next meal, and danced down the roads, out of the town and into the forest. And, for one day, Rusty forgot his guardian and the missionary’s wife and the supple Malacca cane, and ran with the others through the town and into the forest.”

What steals the cake for me is the undying love that the boys have for each other. The friendship they share is beyond beautiful. From eating together and playing Holi to going on a picnic and slowly parting their ways – this book would teach you a thing or two about human relationships at their best. Somi’s letter after he leaves Dehra is such a philosophical take on life that it would encourage you to keep going on no matter how gloomy your days are. Towards the end, Kishen works as another source of inspiration for Rusty. He tells him that he holds power to be anything –  ‘A writer or an actor or a prime minister or something. Maybe a poet! Why not a poet, Rusty?’

Throughout the novel, we see Rusty learning and unlearning the ways of life and discovering himself in the process. We see him fall in love, and pretty soon, he is knee-deep in the pool of grief. All through these twists and turns and adventures, “The Room on the Roof” serves not only as a physical space but also as a metaphor. This more or less relates to the moral of the story as well. It was not just a room; it became an extension of Rusty’s very being. This is the only place he could call his own. No matter what happened, he’d always have to return to his room.

His fair skin and blue eyes always gave away the fact that, even though he spent all his days with Kishen and co., he wasn’t “one of them.” This identity crisis gives him perspective, and it’s not until the very climax that he realizes since he doesn’t belong to any place, he belongs everywhere. We often see Bond use the metaphor of water bodies to talk about different emotions and themes. When Kishen left Dehra, Rusty felt the world had become as stagnant as a river. Days and nights went by, but Rusty felt the clock was stuck at the same time. 

“It was like living in a house near a river, and the river was always running past the house, on and away; but to Rusty, living in the house, there was no passing of the river; the water ran on, the river remained. He longed for something to happen.”

Even at the end, we see how the room with a family of lizards and no electricity becomes the only solace, the only place to go back to for the young boys. It is their room, and that is where they must return. This is a story of Rusty and his friends, a story of love, loss, growing up, the harsh realities of the world, and everything in between. You can relate to the characters here. This honest tale will stay with you long after you reach the last words of the last page. I highly recommend you add this to your ‘Books to Read’ list. You can get the book here! 📖

The Room on the Roof

There is rarely any Indian youngster who has not read Ruskin Bond. Be it our school syllabus or a random book gift; we have all stumbled across Bond at some point in our lives. He is not only a splendid writer, but the way he strikes the chords of our hearts is unmatchable. Every story of his comes with a bag of nostalgia, memories, and a reminiscence of the good old days. The way he describes his native place, travel tales, and memories of his childhood days - we can't help but relate to every piece of his work.

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Author: Ruskin Bond

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The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond | Book Review

• October 4, 2020
• Children's Literature

The Room on the Roof is a novel about a 16-year-old orphaned boy Rusty written by Ruskin Bond when he himself was just 17 years old. The inspiration for this novel was his own journal that he maintained during his school years in Shimla. It was published when he was 21. The award and appreciation he got for his first work motivated him to write its sequel, Vagrants in the Valley . Then followed many others and he went on to prolifically author many inspiring children’s novels.

The Room on the Roof is a semi-autobiographical work hence as the reader progresses through it and gets to know more about Rusty, he at the same time acquaints himself with the author also. Ruskin Bond was also fondly called Rusty.

The portrayal of adolescence written by an adolescent is what that makes this book very special. Let’s explore more in the next section.

Inspiration / The Impulse

The Room on the Roof holds a special place in my heart because it is the first novel written by our very dear, Ruskin Bond Sir, one of India’s most favorite authors. He was only 17 when he wrote this novel and it won him the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize for the year 1957. Imagine, at such a young age he did such a great job of expressing the feeling of an adolescent boy who was trying hard to find himself. The feelings of alienation, loneliness, angst and the chaos in the life of the protagonist; everything was weaved in such a beautiful manner in the novel that after reading it I was forced to look for more books by Ruskin Bond. The magic he creates with the setting and the emotions of the characters is unmatchable. Let’s know more about The Room on the Roof .

I don’t want to rot like mangoes at the end of the season, or burnout like the sun at the end of the day. I cannot live like the gardener, the cook and water-carrier, doing the same task everyday of my life ... I want to be either somebody or nobody. I don’t want to be anybody.

Synopsis - the room on the roof.

The story revolves around a 16-year-old orphaned Anglo-India boy Rusty, who lives with his guardians in the European community that borders the outskirts of Dehra. Mr. Harrison, the guardian, was a very conservative Englishmen and was very strict also. Rusty felt very lonely there as the emotional connect was totally absent. He was not allowed to mix with the locals or go to the bazaar. Bored with his dull and empty life, he once decides to go to the bazaar while Mr. Harrison was away. There he met a few boys who were very kind towards him.

...Explore, get lost, wander afar; even if it were only to find new places to dream in ... He threw himself on the bed and visualized the morrow… Where should he go – into the hills again, into the forest? Or should he listen to the devil in his heart and go to the Bazaar? Tomorrow he would know, tomorrow…

Rusty tasted freedom for the first time. Gradually, from a confused boy, he turns into a confident young man. Once after a violent episode with his guardian, he runs away from that house to live with his Indian friends. He gets a job with the help of his new friend and stays in the room on the roof of his new employer’s house. Now he begins to experience a new life altogether. His newly found love, his passionate friendships, his brand-new independence; everything was there which made him learn to embrace life with open hands.

But he could not return; he was afraid of what lay ahead, he dreaded the unknown, but it was easier to walk forwards than backwards.

But suddenly he was stuck by the miserable loneliness again. What happened to his friends? What about his first love? Was he able to overcome his loneliness? Will Rusty be a free and confident Rusty again in his life? To know the answers to all these questions you must read this book.

His mind is saying, Don’t go! You will get into troubles. But his instinct is saying, Go! You have your own heart and mind. You don’t have to live under rules all the times.

The major takeaway from this story is that we should always remain open and follow our instincts. Had the protagonist not decided to follow his heart he wouldn’t have had the taste of freedom along with all those wonderful experiences.

“For what it’s worth … it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” –          F. Scott Fitzgerald

What I liked

The most special thing about this story that I liked is the journey of self-discovery by Rusty. He experiences so many emotions in his life, which while reading, you also will feel connected with. The writing is simple yet artistic. He takes us on a visual tour along with the story, the simple charms of a small Indian town are portrayed beautifully. The hills, the lush green jungles, the scent of flowers, the lively bazaar, the street vendors, the friendly locals; Ruskin Bond ’s description of Dehra will immediately transport you to that place. This story is woven with lots of characters and their emotions and the author did justice in portraying them aptly. These characters are ordinary people like us yet so appealing, no exaggeration or extravagance. There were a few funny descriptions also which will act as a tea break in this otherwise serious story. Ruskin Bond , amuses, moves and saddens also at the same time with his simple yet powerful writing. The plot is not a fast moving one though, but Bond has the magic to keep his readers captivated.

This beautiful coming-of-age story of Rusty is embellished with a captivating narration that ensures that the readers live and breathe each moment with Rusty in his hills of Dehra.

Recommendation - The Room on the Roof

I still remember when I read this book for the first time, I could feel the connection with Rusty. His fervent quest for finding his identity struck a chord with my teenage mind instantly. And today, while writing this review I revisited those memories. The Room on the Roo f definitely is a fulfilling read for me and I can assure you that it will encourage the reader within you to read more and more. I will definitely recommend it for all, especially for the budding readers.

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The Room on the Roof

Ruskin Bond | 4.35 | 6,816 ratings and reviews

Ranked #53 in Indian Author

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Blurb and Author Info from Goodreads

The Room on the Roof is Ruskin Bond’s masterpiece of adolescence and coming of age. Written when the author was seventeen, it brilliantly describes the hopes and passions that capture young minds and hearts. A moving tale of love and friendship, it has endured as Bond’s most beloved novel.

Top Quotes from The Room on The Roof

“When we are young, we can put up with a great deal of discomfort in order to follow a dream. If, after thirty-five years, I’m still doing my own thing, it’s because I haven’t forgotten the dream. Let no man take your dream away. It will sustain you to the end.”

“I don't want to rot like mangoes at the end of the season, or burnout like the sun at the and of the day. I cannot live like the gardener, the cook and water-carrier, doing the same task everyday of my life... I want to be either somebody or nobody. I don't want to be anybody.”

“But he could not return; he was afraid of what lay ahead, he dreaded the unknown, but it was easier to walk forwards than backwards.”

100 Books by Ruskin Bond  

Sudha Murthy Books 

R.K.Narayan Books

Ruskin Bond

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.

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The Room On The Roof | Ruskin Bond | Book Review | Plot, Characters And Background

A seventeen year old boy, a teenager himself picks up a pen, weaves a story of another teenage boy-Rusty, who is an orphaned anglo-indian kid.

Yes, we are referring to the very famous British Indian writer- Ruskin Bond.

The Room on the roof is his first formal literary work and of course, one of his much-acclaimed works!

Ruskin Bond

Source: India Today

Protagonist and Plot:

Source: amazon.com

Rusty, is the main character- who lives in Dehra, Uttarakhand. The book mainly tries to portray the plight of this kid who is fighting with his own conflicts in addition to the blind efforts that he is putting in for the fact that he has to be and act a certain way, all to just fit in the standards of society and more certainly, in those of his Guardian- Mr John Harrison.

This article is an overview of the book- The Room on the Roof, under the different heads that follow.

Personality traits

Since, Rusty is just a teenager, a lot of the traits reflected in his character are mainly situationist. He has been primarily under the influence of his guardian Mr. Harrison, until he meets Somi and Ranbir.

Side Characters

- around this semi-autobiographical account of Rusty include:

his friends- Somi and Ranbir, his neighbor- Kishen, Mrs Meena Kapoor- Kishen's mother, etc.

Mr John Harrison

This man, has always seemed to have a negative bias for India and its cultures, which of course got kindled from the fact that India got relieved from the rule of the british, pretty close in time, to when this story had come up.

He would constantly seek to groom Rusty as an Englishman with English values and ettiquettes, which is oxymoronic in itself, since they were, or rather John had been repelling the traditions and the sensibilities of a country that he was living in!

Rusty was evidently suffocated by the restrictions set up on any of his actions that could ever be in favour of India, which resulted in the least exposure he had to the land he was living on, the city of Dehra, as Ruskin Bond likes to call it.

Somi and Ranbir

It was only when one day Rusty followed his heart and went with his insticts, that he went on to explore the streets of Dehra and found a light of hope, a hope for a change when he met Somi and Ranbir, who were quick enough to form a friendly connection with Rusty.

Rusty had just started to take a breath of fresh air, when he got violently beaten by Harrison, after being caught masked in the colours of Holi from the celebration he had with his newly made friends.

This was obviously, very frustrating for Rusty.

He began to realize that his true happiness lied in the adventures that he did with his friends. This was when he decided break the shackles of abidance to Mr John Harrison.

This was the beginning of a new episode in Rusty's dull life. He started tutoring another kid in his neighbourhood, Kishen, for English. He was given a little Room on the Roof of Kishen's House by Kishen's Parents. This was hence a turning point for Rusty, as this was the first time he had life in his control and hence felt a sense of freedom!

Mrs Meena Kapoor

Kishen's father or Mr Kapoor, was an alcoholic. When Rusty began to live with this family, he felt himself being strangely drawn towards Mrs Kapoor, in a rather Romantic way. To his surprise, Mrs Kapoor seemed to have reflected similar feelings for Rusty.

This was Rusty's experience of First love!

Twists in the story

It is quite commendable how the 17 year old Ruskin Bond was able to understand the complicated scenarios that an Individual is prone to be dumped into!

A lot of Bond's works underline the essence of a memoir.

Ruskin was around 7 or 8 when his parents Edith Clarke and Aubrey Alexander bond-got seperated and 10 when his father passed away.

He thus seems to have a deep understanding of people and relationships.

This characteristic of Bond's works is also showcased in the twists exhibited through the storyline of "The Room on the Roof", when Mrs Meena Kapoor dies in a vehicle accident. This incident in the story reflects the thoughts of the author's when his own father passed away!

Another detail of the story that reflects on the life of Ruskin Bond, is when Kishen's alcoholic father re- marries soon after the death of his first wife. This incidence is partly analogous to the remarriage of the author's own mother, with a Hindu man, Hari!

Ruskin's interpretation of life, is intense and terrific, indeed. The portrayal of Kishen who transitioned into a thief as well as somebody who turned over psychologically, when he could not bear the demise of his mother, could only be done by a writer with a very deep understanding of life.

Period in which the story was set

The story is set in the time when India just became independent from the British. Ruskin spent a long time of his life in Dehradun and other places- mostly hill stations, which also find mention in - The Room on the Roof!

A picture of the top view of Mussouri, Dehradun

Source: helloholidays.in

The various scenarios and imageries shown throughout the story hence, work their best to show the distinction between, the olden and the modern days. The story is predominantly built in the light of the days of yesterday, having little but strong contrast drawn, with respect to the modern times!

Popular Reviews

" If there's one name that is synonymous with Children's Literature in India, then it's Ruskin Bond.”

- Daily Mail

The Room on the Roof ranks 2nd in the 10 best short stories by Ruskin Bond, in an article written for-

The Times of India

" it has a lot of different emotions and I like the way Ruskin Bond has written it: a simple story made into such a touching and sad book. "

- Adya@Youngbookreporters

for The Guardian

Goodreads : 4.1/5

My Conclusion:

"As expressed in a lot of reviews and critical reception on- The Room on the Roof, it is indeed a very heart warming composition.

It just has the right amount of Maturity, Innocence, colour and contrast! "

Blog Banner Courtesy: Search of Life

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• The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond

The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond MAG

This enchanting novel by Ruskin Bond is written in his trademark close-to-nature style. The renowned author writes from his real-world experiences. This novel takes the reader on a journey of rural India as seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old boy. The panorama of the advancing Indian monsoon adds melodious romance to the novel. Bond's bold yet touching style of writing combined with the intriguing plot make this novel an engaging adventure. Like the Indian bazaar itself, the book is filled with smells, sights, sounds, confusion, and subtle organization of ordinary Indian life. Rusty, the protagonist, is unhappy with his strict guardian and being confined to the declining European community in Dehra Dun. So one day, he dares to venture into the forbidden Indian territory where he makes friends. His new friends shelter him, and soon he gets a job as an English teacher for Mr. Kapoor's son. Mr. Kapoor was once a rich man who lost his job because of his addiction to alcohol. His only support is his lovely wife, Meena, who soon finds a special place in Rusty's heart. But the most important member of the family is their son, Kishan, who becomes Rusty's best friend. They have a lovely time, and Meena gives Rusty the best gift of his life: a lonely room on the roof top of their house. His very own room! Scantily furnished but incredibly close to the Banyan tree and nature in general, “the room on the roof” is a place he can call home. This novel keeps the reader engaged throughout Rusty's journey. It is funny, serious, sad, and superbly realized. The Room on the Roof will strike every chord of your heart. Even the hardest of hearts will be moved. It's a masterpiece.

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Book review: the room on the roof by ruskin bond.

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The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond

By tushar kataria a mixture in unknown percentages of contradictions and complexities, tushar has been writing about the randomness of it all for a while now. however, his written word ventured into the real world for the very first time with soulveda. a regular guy with a right-of-the-centre approach towards all things moving, tushar likes to think his writings will do what starship did in star trek— cut across boundaries and go beyond the curve. having been brought up in a house full of people gave his personality multiple shades of grey, which, he hopes, brings layers of insight into his writing. a career professional in information technology, tushar moved to bangalore for academic pursuits and stayed put. on a typical sunday, you can either find him fraternising with friends, watching a bit of football in the evenings, logging in some supposedly important work for his client, and of course, philosophising over a drink or two. tushar loves trekking, and mountains are probably the place he would be at if he weren't writing this. he loves the power of the written word, though strongly agrees a gun is always better in a knife fight. puns aside, he hopes to embark on a never-ending journey in the universe of words with no better starship than that of this publication..

06 September 2018

Hill stations are most beautiful during spring. With the snow rapidly melting away, the wind rising from the valley and the trees calling us outside to enjoy their shade, the surrounding becomes idyllic. It is in one such picturesque place that Rusty, the protagonist of Ruskin Bond’s The Room on the Roof , lives. An orphaned Anglo-Indian boy in the Dehradun of the 50s, Rusty yearns to break free from his guardians who want to make a proper Englishman out of him. But all Rusty wants is to venture beyond the European settlements of the town into the real India—to the local bazaar, to the cacophony of sounds and the assortments of life. So, one fine day, he does just that. And therein begins the metamorphosis of Rusty.

From being a mild-mannered English snob, he becomes an adventurous teenager in the company of his lively friends. From a life so protected, Rusty suddenly becomes the cynosure of all eyes. His friends Somi and Ranbir make him eat real Indian street food, and his employer’s son Kishen finds in him, a true friend. A young teenager, Rusty himself goes through a gamut of emotions while growing up—he feels a wave of ecstasy after falling in love for the first time and experiences inconsolable pain after losing his loved ones—all while renting out a small room in his employer’s house. So his room on the roof is not just a living space for Rusty. It is the symbol of his independence after crossing the threshold to make it into the brave new world.

The Room on the Roof gives a sneak-peak into Bond’s life as a 17-year-old, new to the charms of the world, and dreaming of unrealistic dreams. The book offers an insight into how Bond perceived the world around him—be it the colour of people’s skin or the clothes they wore or the food they ate during festivals.

Coupled with an engrossing narrative, the story of Rusty grappling with fervent hope unlocks a bagful of memories. Memories of the time when love was unencumbered by expectations, expectations were not barriers to friendships, and friendships were made in chaat shops or on the handlebars of bicycles. Wouldn’t it be great if we all could just relive those moments once more?

Well, jump right in into a pool of nostalgia and swim in Bond’s words, back to the time when we were all a bit like Rusty—planning our whole life inside a room in our minds; yet to break free from barriers, yet to know the joys and sorrows, and yet to appreciate books such as these.

Anglo Anglo Indian bond book Book review books Dehradun english snob freedom growing up India indian Kataria Kishen nostalgia orphan Ranbir roof room Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond Ruskin Ruskin Bond rusty Somi teenager the Roof by Ruskin Bond The room on the roof The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond the room with a view Tushar Tushar kataria

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The Room on the Roof: 60th Anniversary Edition Hardcover – January 1, 2016

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• Print length 224 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Penguin
• Publication date January 1, 2016
• Dimensions 7.87 x 5.51 x 1.57 inches
• ISBN-10 0670088501
• ISBN-13 978-0670088508
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (January 1, 2016)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670088501
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670088508
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.87 x 5.51 x 1.57 inches
• Best Sellers Rank: #3,091,013 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books )

About the author

Ruskin bond.

Ruskin Bond is the author of several bestselling novels and collections of short stories, essays and poems. These include The Room on the Roof (winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize), A Flight of Pigeons, The Night Train at Deoli, Time Stops at Shamli, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra (winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award), Angry River, The Blue Umbrella, Rain in the Mountains, Roads to Mussoorie, A Little Night Music, Tigers for Dinner, Tales of Fosterganj, and A Gathering of Friends.

Ruskin Bond was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Delhi government in 2012 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.

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Book Review: Anonymous public servants are the heart of George Stephanopoulos' 'Situation Room'

The biggest challenge for an author tackling the history of the Situation Room, the basement room of the White House where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in recent decades, is the room itself. As a setting, it's pretty underwhelming.

In “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis,” George Stephanopoulos describes how the room — actually a series of rooms — for much of its history didn't live up to its reputation in popular imagination or media. The centerpiece of it, as Stephanopoulos writes, had “all the charm of a cardboard box.”

But what keeps readers engaged in Stephanopoulos' history isn't any behind the scenes schematics or technology. This isn't a Tom Clancy novel, though it moves along as briskly as one. Instead, it's the stories Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey share of the normally nameless and faceless public servants, the duty officers who have staffed the center since its inception during John F. Kennedy's presidency.

Stephanopoulos, a political commentator and ABC anchor who worked in the Clinton White House, wisely zeroes in on a single crisis during each of 12 presidencies during the Situation Room's history. Along the way, he reveals much about the differing management styles of the nation's presidents and offers plenty of interesting pieces of history.

This includes the granular level of detail Lyndon B. Johnson sought in regular calls to the Situation Room late at night or early in the morning. The book offers a glimpse at the frenzied conversations that took place following Ronald Reagan's shooting in 1981.

It should come as no surprise that the most riveting chapter centers around the moment that led to the most widely seen photo of the “Sit Room” — the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Stephanopoulos reveals that the photo — which showed former President Barack Obama in a cramped conference room receiving updates on the raid on the terrorist leader's compound — could have looked a lot different. A larger room was available, but officials were worried about losing the audiovisual link if they tried moving it from the cramped room.

The duty officers whose stories are at the heart of the book are portrayed as apolitical figures, with one saying they “serve in silence.” Stephanopoulos' book is a fitting tribute to them.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

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Book Review: Anonymous public servants are the heart of George Stephanopoulos' 'Situation Room'

ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos charts the history of the White House room where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in “The Situation Room.”

The biggest challenge for an author tackling the history of the Situation Room, the basement room of the White House where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in recent decades, is the room itself. As a setting, it's pretty underwhelming.

In “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis,” George Stephanopoulos describes how the room — actually a series of rooms — for much of its history didn't live up to its reputation in popular imagination or media. The centerpiece of it, as Stephanopoulos writes, had “all the charm of a cardboard box.”

But what keeps readers engaged in Stephanopoulos' history isn't any behind the scenes schematics or technology. This isn't a Tom Clancy novel, though it moves along as briskly as one. Instead, it's the stories Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey share of the normally nameless and faceless public servants, the duty officers who have staffed the center since its inception during John F. Kennedy's presidency.

Stephanopoulos, a political commentator and ABC anchor who worked in the Clinton White House, wisely zeroes in on a single crisis during each of 12 presidencies during the Situation Room's history. Along the way, he reveals much about the differing management styles of the nation's presidents and offers plenty of interesting pieces of history.

This includes the granular level of detail Lyndon B. Johnson sought in regular calls to the Situation Room late at night or early in the morning. The book offers a glimpse at the frenzied conversations that took place following Ronald Reagan's shooting in 1981.

It should come as no surprise that the most riveting chapter centers around the moment that led to the most widely seen photo of the “Sit Room” — the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Stephanopoulos reveals that the photo — which showed former President Barack Obama in a cramped conference room receiving updates on the raid on the terrorist leader's compound — could have looked a lot different. A larger room was available, but officials were worried about losing the audiovisual link if they tried moving it from the cramped room.

The duty officers whose stories are at the heart of the book are portrayed as apolitical figures, with one saying they “serve in silence.” Stephanopoulos' book is a fitting tribute to them.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

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The Room on the Roof: An award-winning novel by Ruskin Bond, first book in the famous Rusty series, a must-read illustrated classic [Paperback] Ruskin Bond Paperback – 1 January 2014

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A classic coming-of-age story which has held generations of readers spellbound!

Rusty, a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy, is orphaned and has to live with his English guardian in the claustrophobic European part in Dehra Dun. Unhappy with the strict ways of his guardian, Rusty runs away from home to live with his Indian friends. Plunging for the first time into the dream-bright world of the bazaar, Hindu festivals and other aspects of Indian life, Rusty is enchanted … and is lost forever to the prim proprieties of the European community.

Written when the author was himself seventeen, this moving story of love and friendship, with a new introduction and illustrations will be enjoyed by a whole new generation of readers.

• Print length 208 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.21 cm
• Publisher Puffin
• Publication date 1 January 2014
• ISBN-10 0143333380
• ISBN-13 978-0143333388
• See all details

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Product description, about the author.

Born in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1934, Ruskin Bond grew up in Jamnagar (Gujarat), Dehradun, New Delhi and Shimla. His first novel, The Room on the Roof , which was written when he was seventeen, received the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written over 500 short stories, essays and novellas (including Vagrants in the Valley and A Flight of Pigeons ) and more than forty books for children. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for English writing in India in 1992, the Padma Shri in 1999, and the Delhi government's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He lives in Landour, Mussoorie, with his extended family.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin (1 January 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143333380
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143333388
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ Customer suggested age: 10 years and up
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 140 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.21 cm
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ India
• Generic Name ‏ : ‎ BOOK
• #1 in Children's Books on Friendship
• #2 in Fiction about Friendship for Children
• #4 in Explore the World Books for Children

About the author

Ruskin bond.

Ruskin Bond is the author of several bestselling novels and collections of short stories, essays and poems. These include The Room on the Roof (winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize), A Flight of Pigeons, The Night Train at Deoli, Time Stops at Shamli, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra (winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award), Angry River, The Blue Umbrella, Rain in the Mountains, Roads to Mussoorie, A Little Night Music, Tigers for Dinner, Tales of Fosterganj, and A Gathering of Friends.

Ruskin Bond was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Delhi government in 2012 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.

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Book Review: Anonymous public servants are the heart of George Stephanopoulos’ ‘Situation Room’

This cover image released by Grand Central Publishing shows “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis” by George Stephanapoulos with Lisa Dickey. (Grand Central Publishing via AP)

• Copy Link copied

The biggest challenge for an author tackling the history of the Situation Room, the basement room of the White House where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in recent decades, is the room itself. As a setting, it’s pretty underwhelming.

In “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis,” George Stephanopoulos describes how the room — actually a series of rooms — for much of its history didn’t live up to its reputation in popular imagination or media. The centerpiece of it, as Stephanopoulos writes, had “all the charm of a cardboard box.”

But what keeps readers engaged in Stephanopoulos’ history isn’t any behind the scenes schematics or technology. This isn’t a Tom Clancy novel, though it moves along as briskly as one. Instead, it’s the stories Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey share of the normally nameless and faceless public servants, the duty officers who have staffed the center since its inception during John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

Stephanopoulos, a political commentator and ABC anchor who worked in the Clinton White House, wisely zeroes in on a single crisis during each of 12 presidencies during the Situation Room’s history. Along the way, he reveals much about the differing management styles of the nation’s presidents and offers plenty of interesting pieces of history.

This includes the granular level of detail Lyndon B. Johnson sought in regular calls to the Situation Room late at night or early in the morning. The book offers a glimpse at the frenzied conversations that took place following Ronald Reagan’s shooting in 1981.

It should come as no surprise that the most riveting chapter centers around the moment that led to the most widely seen photo of the “Sit Room” — the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Stephanopoulos reveals that the photo — which showed former President Barack Obama in a cramped conference room receiving updates on the raid on the terrorist leader’s compound — could have looked a lot different. A larger room was available, but officials were worried about losing the audiovisual link if they tried moving it from the cramped room.

The duty officers whose stories are at the heart of the book are portrayed as apolitical figures, with one saying they “serve in silence.” Stephanopoulos’ book is a fitting tribute to them.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

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What's the best state for you », book review: anonymous public servants are the heart of george stephanopoulos' 'situation room'.

ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos charts the history of the White House room where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in “The Situation Room.”

Book Review: Anonymous Public Servants Are the Heart of George Stephanopoulos' 'Situation Room'

This cover image released by Grand Central Publishing shows "The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis" by George Stephanapoulos with Lisa Dickey. (Grand Central Publishing via AP)

The biggest challenge for an author tackling the history of the Situation Room, the basement room of the White House where some of the biggest intelligence crises have been handled in recent decades, is the room itself. As a setting, it's pretty underwhelming.

In “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis,” George Stephanopoulos describes how the room — actually a series of rooms — for much of its history didn't live up to its reputation in popular imagination or media. The centerpiece of it, as Stephanopoulos writes, had “all the charm of a cardboard box.”

But what keeps readers engaged in Stephanopoulos' history isn't any behind the scenes schematics or technology. This isn't a Tom Clancy novel, though it moves along as briskly as one. Instead, it's the stories Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey share of the normally nameless and faceless public servants, the duty officers who have staffed the center since its inception during John F. Kennedy's presidency.

Stephanopoulos, a political commentator and ABC anchor who worked in the Clinton White House, wisely zeroes in on a single crisis during each of 12 presidencies during the Situation Room's history. Along the way, he reveals much about the differing management styles of the nation's presidents and offers plenty of interesting pieces of history.

This includes the granular level of detail Lyndon B. Johnson sought in regular calls to the Situation Room late at night or early in the morning. The book offers a glimpse at the frenzied conversations that took place following Ronald Reagan's shooting in 1981.

It should come as no surprise that the most riveting chapter centers around the moment that led to the most widely seen photo of the “Sit Room” — the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Stephanopoulos reveals that the photo — which showed former President Barack Obama in a cramped conference room receiving updates on the raid on the terrorist leader's compound — could have looked a lot different. A larger room was available, but officials were worried about losing the audiovisual link if they tried moving it from the cramped room.

The duty officers whose stories are at the heart of the book are portrayed as apolitical figures, with one saying they “serve in silence.” Stephanopoulos' book is a fitting tribute to them.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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