And, I absolutely fell in love with this author, who so deliciously and ingeniously brought forward the nuances of each character, so much so, they actually talked and twitched and narrowed their eyes in my mind’s eye. There also is this chapter, where he brings forth the differences in the daily routines of the British Raj and life in the Mughal palace. The fluid way the chapter connected the two is sheer poetry in prose!
But, the book was one long chapter in my life and took me three seasons to see it through the end. No giggles or snickers when I show you the size of the teeny-weeny books I picked up last week. That two of them are collections of short stories is not coincidental at all.
With me now fighting for the much touted and overrated ‘me-time,’ I make it a point to read at least 10-15 pages daily. And, with short stories, you don’t need to book mark, or flip back to remember who’s who and, the best part, a sigh of contentment for at least one thing well done that day.
The title (I do exclaim these days!!) was what made me grab Roald Dahl’s book, while the picture on the cover of ‘the Last Mughal’ captivated me. And, in the case of the soft-spoken Ruskin Bond (I heard him on the TV), I knew I would love his descriptions of the people and sights of rural India. After all, he described and engaged me with his description of foliage and bees and mountains in ‘the Book of Nature.’
Then, these also arrived from Amazon. This is the Bible for now :)
4 comments:
Hello,
Glad you are back. Its nice that you are able to squeeze in time and to make it a point to read a couple of pages a day. I think i too should take lead from you. The last pic had me in smiles.. I hope the books have helped you to understand blackie better. My german shepherd -Leo is eight months old and we have appointed a trainer for obidience training. Try and give it chew bones so that the jaw develops well. Hope im not boring you with the dog banter.
Good Day.
Regards,
Indrani.
All right Indrani, I'm glad I now have someone to share "dog -banter" with just like we do about the kids! Since Blackie is four months old, we have been advised not to give him hard, chewy toys, only carrot sticks till his teeth are stronger! luckily, he does not like shoes!!
I saw that interview of Ruskin Bond on TV too :-) I love his gentle style of writing, especially his stores relating to nature and the people he meets.
I picked up a book the other day to read at night...E goes to sleep around 8pm, so I can read for a while every night....but it's just not happening. It's easier to unwind while watching Come Dine with Me or the Hairy Bikers instead.
shalini - this book of Ruskin Bond's is a treat! I am consciously trying to wean myself off TV, am scared the kids will pick up the same habit!
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