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A review by mehmehsloth
The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It's astonishing Ruskin bond wrote this when he was 17. The details and expression is made in such ease that it may seem coming from a full time writer. There are some descriptions ( especially descriptions of whiskey, drinking and death ) that seem like they are written by someone who has never experienced them beforehand but I think this can be excused considering the author's age at time of writing the novel.
As for plot it's nothing out of ordinary but surprisingly manages to give commentary on what a person of that age may think life is. This might be the selling point for the story. The desire of freedom and self reliance is displayed care-freely. There is also commentary on parenting that believes in restrictions to raise child. The hate and anger that protagonist feels might be relatable to a lot of people. A lot of social commentary is also visible as in treatment of lower wor ing class as untouchables, Anglo indians and railway delays.
Starting from novel of this caliber was bound to make Ruskin bond what he stands today. Even so many years I can get through this book and call it decent. Ruskin bond's skill too paint indiana is evident from his first novel. Of course there are points of criticism but if you are truly interested in any sort of Indian young adult fiction then this is read you should not miss out on.
As for plot it's nothing out of ordinary but surprisingly manages to give commentary on what a person of that age may think life is. This might be the selling point for the story. The desire of freedom and self reliance is displayed care-freely. There is also commentary on parenting that believes in restrictions to raise child. The hate and anger that protagonist feels might be relatable to a lot of people. A lot of social commentary is also visible as in treatment of lower wor ing class as untouchables, Anglo indians and railway delays.
Starting from novel of this caliber was bound to make Ruskin bond what he stands today. Even so many years I can get through this book and call it decent. Ruskin bond's skill too paint indiana is evident from his first novel. Of course there are points of criticism but if you are truly interested in any sort of Indian young adult fiction then this is read you should not miss out on.