Room On The Roof Vagrants In T

Book Details

• Publisher: Penguin

• Author: Ruskin Bond

• Language: English

• Edition: Latest

• ISBN: 9780140239591

• Pages: 223

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches

About the Book

The Room on the Roof and Vagrants in the Valley: Two Novels of Adolescence is a poignant collection of two coming-of-age novels by Ruskin Bond, renowned for his evocative portrayal of youth and nature. Written with Ruskin Bond's signature simplicity and vivid emotional depth, this collection takes readers through the formative years of a young boy’s life.

The Room on the Roof, Bond's first novel written at just seventeen and published when he was twenty-one, tells the story of Rusty, a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian orphan living in Dehradun. Stifled by his strict guardian, Mr. Harrison, Rusty’s yearning for freedom leads him to escape and live with his Indian friends, immersing himself in the rich culture and traditions of his surroundings. Through Rusty’s journey, the novel explores themes of identity, independence, and the longing for connection in a new and unfamiliar world.

In Vagrants in the Valley, the sequel to The Room on the Roof, the story continues to follow Rusty as he navigates the complexities of adolescence and his place in a world that straddles two cultures. This novel deepens the exploration of Rusty's experiences as he grows and learns more about himself, his friendships, and the world around him.

These novels beautifully capture the innocence and transformation of adolescence against the backdrop of the Indian landscape, while showcasing Bond’s ability to blend nature’s wonders with heartfelt human emotions. The Room on the Roof was awarded the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957, cementing Bond’s place as one of the most beloved writers in Indian literature.