What do you think?
Rate this book
Rusty #2
Vagrants in the Valley
This book is a sequel to "A room on the roof".
Rusty is joined in his travels by Kishen, as they venture further into the unknown.
They discover new friends and participate in more escapades but also begin to understand the complexities of growing up and the boundaries that circumscribe even the freest spirits.
Rusty is joined in his travels by Kishen, as they venture further into the unknown.
They discover new friends and participate in more escapades but also begin to understand the complexities of growing up and the boundaries that circumscribe even the freest spirits.
223 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
About the author
Ruskin Bond
585 books3,328 followersRuskin 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 4, 2024
This book is Bond's second Rusty novel, and it continues his story where the first book left off. To reduce the 'what to read next' stress of the time, I started this immediately after finishing the previous novel, which is a bit out of character for me.
Rusty and Kishen are departing Hardwar (Haridwar), on their return journey to Dehra (Dehradun), although due to their financial situation they are walking. Kishen had been living rough, stealing what he needed after leaving the home of his alcoholic father and new wife. Rusty had arrived in Haridwar to visit Kishen on his way to Delhi, but finding his friend unhappy and living the life of a bandit, his planned were changed.
They decided returning to their former home and their friends was the best idea.
So this second books tells of the journey, their adventures on the way and what happens when they get to Dehra. There are old friends and new friends, new places and for Rusty more journeying around Uttakhand, including Lansdowne and Rishikesh.
As with his first novel, Bond writes simply and is able to impart humour, tenderness and elegance on his characters at unexpected moments. Another easily amusing novel.
Four stars from me.
Review of Room on the Roof; Rusty #1
Rusty and Kishen are departing Hardwar (Haridwar), on their return journey to Dehra (Dehradun), although due to their financial situation they are walking. Kishen had been living rough, stealing what he needed after leaving the home of his alcoholic father and new wife. Rusty had arrived in Haridwar to visit Kishen on his way to Delhi, but finding his friend unhappy and living the life of a bandit, his planned were changed.
They decided returning to their former home and their friends was the best idea.
So this second books tells of the journey, their adventures on the way and what happens when they get to Dehra. There are old friends and new friends, new places and for Rusty more journeying around Uttakhand, including Lansdowne and Rishikesh.
As with his first novel, Bond writes simply and is able to impart humour, tenderness and elegance on his characters at unexpected moments. Another easily amusing novel.
Four stars from me.
Review of Room on the Roof; Rusty #1
May 13, 2021
This is the sequel to the much loved The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond. Rusty is back in this to discover new friendships and continue his search for happiness and his place of belonging.
I loved the first book in the series, whilst this isn't as spectacular as The Room on the Roof, I still enjoyed it. Ruskin Bond's writing is brilliant as usual.
3.5 stars
I loved the first book in the series, whilst this isn't as spectacular as The Room on the Roof, I still enjoyed it. Ruskin Bond's writing is brilliant as usual.
3.5 stars
December 2, 2016
Sequel to the Room on the Roof, not quite as impressive as the first part. Follows the signature Ruskin Bond narration full of simplicity.
What I loved most was the way Rusty evolved a little more mature, detaching himself from everything in life and always moving on.
And yet again, very apt title!
What I loved most was the way Rusty evolved a little more mature, detaching himself from everything in life and always moving on.
And yet again, very apt title!
March 14, 2008
The mood of "A room on the roof" continues. Kishen, Devinder, Mr Pettigrew, Goonga, Lafunga add to the richness of experience that Rusty gains.
The paragraph below summarises not just this book but all of Ruskin Bond's works:
"I have read nothing like that from India or anywhere else. It's very simple. Everything is underplayed, and the truths of the book come rather slowly at you. He is writing about solitude, tremendous solitude. He himself doesn't say it. He leaves it all to you to pick up. I haven't read another book about solitude from India. In a way, from this great Subcontinent so full of people, to write a book about solitude is quite an achievement."
- V.S Naipaul.
The paragraph below summarises not just this book but all of Ruskin Bond's works:
"I have read nothing like that from India or anywhere else. It's very simple. Everything is underplayed, and the truths of the book come rather slowly at you. He is writing about solitude, tremendous solitude. He himself doesn't say it. He leaves it all to you to pick up. I haven't read another book about solitude from India. In a way, from this great Subcontinent so full of people, to write a book about solitude is quite an achievement."
- V.S Naipaul.
February 16, 2018
ACTUAL RATING : 4.5 stars
This is a continuation of 'The Room on the roof' for which i had written a review here few weeks ago. Like 'The room on the roof' this part is also a wonderful read for me. In fact i got a little emotional towards the end of the book and found my eyes burning a bit!! Hehe :P
I decided to rate it a 0.5 star less because at some rare situations i found that this is a tiny bit less interesting than the first book. Anyway i really enjoyed the reading and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a light read during a lazy afternoon . :)
This is a continuation of 'The Room on the roof' for which i had written a review here few weeks ago. Like 'The room on the roof' this part is also a wonderful read for me. In fact i got a little emotional towards the end of the book and found my eyes burning a bit!! Hehe :P
I decided to rate it a 0.5 star less because at some rare situations i found that this is a tiny bit less interesting than the first book. Anyway i really enjoyed the reading and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a light read during a lazy afternoon . :)
September 10, 2021
(joint review of two books)
সতেরো বছর বয়েসে'ই পড়েছিলাম এইটা, লা মার্টিনিয়ারের স্কুল লাইব্রেরি থেকে নিয়ে। ক্লাস ১১-১২ মানে তো ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং / ডাক্তারি পড়ার জন্য প্রতিযোগিতামূলক পরীক্ষার প্রস্তুতি - সে এক হিমশিম ব্যাপার। দু বছরে বোধয় খান'চারেকের বেশি গল্পের বই পড়িনি, লাইব্রেরি থেকে নিয়ে এই একটাই। এমনি'ই ঘুরতে ঘুরতে লাইব্রেরিতে ঢুকে পড়েছিলাম - এইটা নিয়ে বেরিয়ে এসেছিলাম (এইটা আর রুম অন দ্য রুফ - দুটোকে একসাথে নিয়ে একটা বই )। ছোট বই, কিন্তু দু সপ্তাহ'ধরে পড়েছিলাম। মাঝে একবার রিনিউ করতে যাওয়া ধরে দু'বছরে ওই তিনবার'ই লাইব্রেরি গেছিলাম।
বইটা নিয়ে আর কী বলবো? স্বপ্নমাখা ছোটবেলায় পড়া বই। শীর্ষেন্দু, মতি নন্দী, দীনেন্দ্রনাথ, সত্যজিৎ রায়, নারায়ণ দেবনাথ, রাসকিন বন্ড, আঙ্কল পাই, ঈনিড ব্লাইটন, রয় অভ দ্য রোভার্স, চাচা চৌধুরী - এঁরাই তো আমার ছোটবেলা।
দেহরাদুনে একবার'ই গিয়েছিলাম - গুরগাঁওয়ে থাকার সময় , লম্বা উইকেন্ড ড্রাইভ। বলাই বাহুল্য , বাকি বন্ধুদেরকে দাঁড় করিয়ে রেখে ল্যান্ডোউরে যাওয়া হয়ে ওঠে নি - কিন্তু সে তীর্থযাত্রাটা তো করতে হবে কোনওদিন। তাড়াতাড়ি'ই করতে হবে। একটা প্রণাম, একটা সই, একটা ছবি। বেশি কিছু নয়।
সতেরো বছর বয়েসে'ই পড়েছিলাম এইটা, লা মার্টিনিয়ারের স্কুল লাইব্রেরি থেকে নিয়ে। ক্লাস ১১-১২ মানে তো ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং / ডাক্তারি পড়ার জন্য প্রতিযোগিতামূলক পরীক্ষার প্রস্তুতি - সে এক হিমশিম ব্যাপার। দু বছরে বোধয় খান'চারেকের বেশি গল্পের বই পড়িনি, লাইব্রেরি থেকে নিয়ে এই একটাই। এমনি'ই ঘুরতে ঘুরতে লাইব্রেরিতে ঢুকে পড়েছিলাম - এইটা নিয়ে বেরিয়ে এসেছিলাম (এইটা আর রুম অন দ্য রুফ - দুটোকে একসাথে নিয়ে একটা বই )। ছোট বই, কিন্তু দু সপ্তাহ'ধরে পড়েছিলাম। মাঝে একবার রিনিউ করতে যাওয়া ধরে দু'বছরে ওই তিনবার'ই লাইব্রেরি গেছিলাম।
বইটা নিয়ে আর কী বলবো? স্বপ্নমাখা ছোটবেলায় পড়া বই। শীর্ষেন্দু, মতি নন্দী, দীনেন্দ্রনাথ, সত্যজিৎ রায়, নারায়ণ দেবনাথ, রাসকিন বন্ড, আঙ্কল পাই, ঈনিড ব্লাইটন, রয় অভ দ্য রোভার্স, চাচা চৌধুরী - এঁরাই তো আমার ছোটবেলা।
দেহরাদুনে একবার'ই গিয়েছিলাম - গুরগাঁওয়ে থাকার সময় , লম্বা উইকেন্ড ড্রাইভ। বলাই বাহুল্য , বাকি বন্ধুদেরকে দাঁড় করিয়ে রেখে ল্যান্ডোউরে যাওয়া হয়ে ওঠে নি - কিন্তু সে তীর্থযাত্রাটা তো করতে হবে কোনওদিন। তাড়াতাড়ি'ই করতে হবে। একটা প্রণাম, একটা সই, একটা ছবি। বেশি কিছু নয়।
June 19, 2021
कोई मुश्किल शब्द नही, कोई पेचीदा बात नही, बस एक युवा लड़के "रस्टी" की साधारण कहानी जिसे आप आसानी से पढ़ सकते है और रस्टी के साथ देहरादून-हरिद्वार-ऋषिकेष जैसी जगहों पर आवारा गर्दी कर सकते है। बेशक आपके साथ कुछ अच्छे दोस्त भी होंगे।
October 31, 2022
Book 82 of 2022-Vagrants in the valley
Author- Ruskin Bond
“The more people I see, the lonelier I get.
You must’ve some companion, someone to talk to and quarrel with.
If you’re not to be lonely. You can find such a companion. But who can I find?”
I read this book after re-reading“Room on the roof”. It’s a perfect sequel-I really liked it. Kishen,Rusty,Sudheer,Devinder,Goonga-all of them stayed with me for a long long time. I enjoyed their quirky,little adventures so much. It briefly and subtly talks about the adolescent age loneliness. I travelled with the characters and with the book till the end.
I want to know everything that happened in Rusty’s life. He is one of the finest storytellers I’ve read and enjoyed a lot. I’ve highlighted so many parts in the book. I want to read all the Rusty series in one go. Because it’s very raw and beautiful.
I learnt a new word-which us “vagrant”. I so baldly want to take an adventurous trip-just like Rusty:meeting nee people,making friends,also to travel endlessly. I want to know how would I feel and how long I could go without thinking about home or missing home.
The day I read the book,I had a very long and mentally exhausting day,but was able to sleep peacefully that night because of this book.
Author- Ruskin Bond
“The more people I see, the lonelier I get.
You must’ve some companion, someone to talk to and quarrel with.
If you’re not to be lonely. You can find such a companion. But who can I find?”
I read this book after re-reading“Room on the roof”. It’s a perfect sequel-I really liked it. Kishen,Rusty,Sudheer,Devinder,Goonga-all of them stayed with me for a long long time. I enjoyed their quirky,little adventures so much. It briefly and subtly talks about the adolescent age loneliness. I travelled with the characters and with the book till the end.
I want to know everything that happened in Rusty’s life. He is one of the finest storytellers I’ve read and enjoyed a lot. I’ve highlighted so many parts in the book. I want to read all the Rusty series in one go. Because it’s very raw and beautiful.
I learnt a new word-which us “vagrant”. I so baldly want to take an adventurous trip-just like Rusty:meeting nee people,making friends,also to travel endlessly. I want to know how would I feel and how long I could go without thinking about home or missing home.
The day I read the book,I had a very long and mentally exhausting day,but was able to sleep peacefully that night because of this book.
April 7, 2016
The story starts of where The Room On the Roof left off. This book was written sometime in the 1950's. As a result the plot is free of all those technological advancements, which we are used to, on a day to day basis.
I found this book to be truly awesome, infact even better than the prequel Room On the Roof.
These days when more and more people are engaged in competition, rat race, race to become rich lead a superior lifestyle, here is a book, which shows how simple it was back then! Age was just a number, measured by the number of beautiful moments lived, unlike now, when its more of materialistic milestones
Story revolves around Rusty who has lost his parents and Kishen whom he used to teach English previously. Few other people add up like Devinder, Sudheer the Lafunga. Each one heads to his own destination and finally Rusty heads to England.
Worth all the effort I took to re-read this one!
Cheers,
Rating 5/5
PS - Please read Room On the Roof prior to reading this one!
I found this book to be truly awesome, infact even better than the prequel Room On the Roof.
These days when more and more people are engaged in competition, rat race, race to become rich lead a superior lifestyle, here is a book, which shows how simple it was back then! Age was just a number, measured by the number of beautiful moments lived, unlike now, when its more of materialistic milestones
Story revolves around Rusty who has lost his parents and Kishen whom he used to teach English previously. Few other people add up like Devinder, Sudheer the Lafunga. Each one heads to his own destination and finally Rusty heads to England.
Worth all the effort I took to re-read this one!
Cheers,
Rating 5/5
PS - Please read Room On the Roof prior to reading this one!
January 5, 2023
Ruskin Bond's book takes you into the emotional world of a teenager Rusty....His wanderings in Dehradun and surrounding area, this journey of connecting people rather than not understanding the purpose of life seems to be very funny and equally thrilling.
We also travel to all these places with Rusty.
A book that every young person should read.
We also travel to all these places with Rusty.
A book that every young person should read.
June 5, 2015
This book is a sequel to "A room on the roof" but it isn't as awesome as its prequel, though it has its own unique elements which will make the reader admire it and love it. The description of characters is one of those elements in this book which can be rated as outstanding! While reading about the people who live inside this book, we ourselves will feel like being a best friend of them. Ruskin Bond has done a great job in making his characters get familiar with the reader’s heart. I really liked the book.
April 29, 2015
Nice book from Ruskin bond ,sequel of The room on the roof.I think it was nice book in its own way, not to be compared with The room on the roof.Great characters and interesting dynamics between them.All of his books are about journey ,arent they ?
June 19, 2021
‘’You must have some companion, someone to talk to and quarrel with, if you are not to be lonely…’’
The classic book ‘Vagrants in the Valley’ is a sequel to the book ‘The Room on the Roof’ and starts from where the first book ends. Tom Alter’s Introduction should get you going on this one.
The book shows the return journey of Rusty to Dehra. He finds his guardian is no longer at Dehra, and his old lodgings have been given away to someone else. Once again, he finds adventure. When his friends still have not returned, he finds new friends and seeks relatives he’s previously not known or met. Whereas the first novel is more about the feelings of the adolescent heart – the thirst for adventure, the first crush etc. – the second one is also about the characters finding maturity and understanding life’s little nuances too.
You are on roller coaster with Mr. Bond wandering into hills, Travelling in very slow trains without tickets, bathing into streams, eating roadside foods, sleeping in dormitories, meeting with an unknown aunt, you will find plenty of these experiences, locations and People.
New characters are introduced and most of them are very humorous – Boy called lufunga – Sudhir, who is Rusty’s companion in the search of his Aunt, Mr. Pettigrow friend of Rusty’s father who helped Rusty financially, a sardar boy who sells combs and cosmetics. After wandering almost everywhere Rusty found what his dead father has left for him in the custody of his Aunt – The treasure was some old copies of books. With this treasure Rusty left for London not sure to come back ever to Dehradun.
The book is beautiful, and literally drags you in, and allows you to walk along the stream, and enjoy the solitary longings of the beautiful hills. It is a read to bring a smile to your face, not that it is a humor novel, but the characters with their life will make you smile just thinking at times, “If only life was like that”.
The classic book ‘Vagrants in the Valley’ is a sequel to the book ‘The Room on the Roof’ and starts from where the first book ends. Tom Alter’s Introduction should get you going on this one.
The book shows the return journey of Rusty to Dehra. He finds his guardian is no longer at Dehra, and his old lodgings have been given away to someone else. Once again, he finds adventure. When his friends still have not returned, he finds new friends and seeks relatives he’s previously not known or met. Whereas the first novel is more about the feelings of the adolescent heart – the thirst for adventure, the first crush etc. – the second one is also about the characters finding maturity and understanding life’s little nuances too.
You are on roller coaster with Mr. Bond wandering into hills, Travelling in very slow trains without tickets, bathing into streams, eating roadside foods, sleeping in dormitories, meeting with an unknown aunt, you will find plenty of these experiences, locations and People.
New characters are introduced and most of them are very humorous – Boy called lufunga – Sudhir, who is Rusty’s companion in the search of his Aunt, Mr. Pettigrow friend of Rusty’s father who helped Rusty financially, a sardar boy who sells combs and cosmetics. After wandering almost everywhere Rusty found what his dead father has left for him in the custody of his Aunt – The treasure was some old copies of books. With this treasure Rusty left for London not sure to come back ever to Dehradun.
The book is beautiful, and literally drags you in, and allows you to walk along the stream, and enjoy the solitary longings of the beautiful hills. It is a read to bring a smile to your face, not that it is a humor novel, but the characters with their life will make you smile just thinking at times, “If only life was like that”.
October 17, 2021
A splendid journey through the hills and valleys of young Rusty.
Read it to get a detailed life of a vagrant boy searching for his place. Read it to know the life of a Dehradun boy, his friends, his no-less-than thriller story of life. Read it to know the affections snd ways of life of young hearts. I love Ruskin Bond and I want to know what happened after this book. A poignant, simple, hearttouching p, mesmerizing tale of young Rusty.
Read it to get a detailed life of a vagrant boy searching for his place. Read it to know the life of a Dehradun boy, his friends, his no-less-than thriller story of life. Read it to know the affections snd ways of life of young hearts. I love Ruskin Bond and I want to know what happened after this book. A poignant, simple, hearttouching p, mesmerizing tale of young Rusty.
January 28, 2019
The little things, the little adventures in life that make it all worth while. The little things are what shape us a person.
Going through places like the church, ghanta ghar makes me feel extremely vulnerable. To know that I've been in these haunts makes me happy with glee.
Maybe it's not all fiction.
Maybe we're all stories waiting to be written.
Going through places like the church, ghanta ghar makes me feel extremely vulnerable. To know that I've been in these haunts makes me happy with glee.
Maybe it's not all fiction.
Maybe we're all stories waiting to be written.
December 4, 2021
This is the second book of Ruskin Bond, a sequel to the room on the roof. The storyline continues with Rusty who runs away from home with his friend Kishan, the adventures they have and the new friends they make. What binds readers to this book is Bond's signature style of simple writing. The thing I absolutely love about his books is the way nature is an integral part of his writing. The way he describes the woods, the sky, tea gardens and rivers, they come live in the eyes of readers and leave them fascinated by the beauty of them. So if you are a nemophilist you must give his books a try.
This book can be recommended to children and beginners for its easy writing but it can be read and enjoyed by anyone who loves good literature and simplicity.
This book can be recommended to children and beginners for its easy writing but it can be read and enjoyed by anyone who loves good literature and simplicity.
July 2, 2021
This book is very good
September 26, 2022
The Room on The Roof is the first part to which there's a second part and this book is that second part. Many might don't know but yes, as these stories are interrelated and binding.
The time difference between these two books is quite a lot, for which you have to head towards his Autobiography or another memoir to know why.
This book is roller coaster of valleys, feilds, memories,events and emotions that lets the readers stick to story and left them mesmerized.
I am going everywhere and no one can stop me.
The narration is what makes his books different from others. It is so real and natural that readers thinks that it is his own story.And writing style is so simple yet unique that is equally loveable by all whether a child or adult
The Vagrants of Valley, being the second part is a lot more adventurous and exciting in its own way. Here, Rusty do have an ambition for himself for which he is constantly working on. He has a partner with him to go around. Meanwhile through the journey he discovers various things about him and his family apart from learning sustainability in life and how he ponders his love for reading.... which finally leads him to a place of belongings without any being to survive with.
You can say this as a Travel Memoir of Rusty with his Friend more.
Happy Reading 📖
The time difference between these two books is quite a lot, for which you have to head towards his Autobiography or another memoir to know why.
This book is roller coaster of valleys, feilds, memories,events and emotions that lets the readers stick to story and left them mesmerized.
I am going everywhere and no one can stop me.
The narration is what makes his books different from others. It is so real and natural that readers thinks that it is his own story.And writing style is so simple yet unique that is equally loveable by all whether a child or adult
The Vagrants of Valley, being the second part is a lot more adventurous and exciting in its own way. Here, Rusty do have an ambition for himself for which he is constantly working on. He has a partner with him to go around. Meanwhile through the journey he discovers various things about him and his family apart from learning sustainability in life and how he ponders his love for reading.... which finally leads him to a place of belongings without any being to survive with.
You can say this as a Travel Memoir of Rusty with his Friend more.
Happy Reading 📖
February 16, 2022
An evergreen classic about friendship and growing up, by a master storyteller. This book catches up with our favourite Rusty as he plunges into an exciting new life, dipping his toes into adulthood. Winding his way back to the city with Kishen, Rusty discovers that his beloved room is no longer his! Undaunted, however and in his trademark style, he forges new homes and new friendships as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that spans the beautiful hillsides of India.
By turns thrilling and nostalgic, this heart-warming sequel is Rusty is at his best as he navigates the tightrope between dreams and reality, all the time maintaining a glorious sense of hope. Striking, evocative, witty and wise-this is an ode to youth and all its complexities, amidst the colours, sights and smells of Bond's India.
Being vagrant and yet alone all the time is the theme of the book. Ruskin has underlined that a person cannot spend life alone, one needs someone for company and haggling. Rusty too realises the void in the loneliness after meeting Mr. Pettigrew and his aunt. It is a great book. Reading Ruskin Bond books is like a treat, his writing style literally treat readers as they are in the book, flowing up and down like characters.
Being vagrant and yet alone all the time is the theme of the book. Ruskin has underlined that a person cannot spend life alone, one needs someone for company and haggling. Rusty too realises the void in the loneliness after meeting Mr. Pettigrew and his aunt. It is a great book. Reading Ruskin Bond books is like a treat, his writing style literally treat readers as they are in the book, flowing up and down like characters.
August 15, 2022
"It's almost as if you don't want to know what happened to Rusty ... after The Room on the Roof... Ruskin has done the near impossible"
This introduction by Tom Alter quite sums up my first thoughts on the book. The Room on the Roof, in leaving you with a sense melancholy mixed with hope, leaves you feeling of the story as a distant event trapped in time - something permanent yet inaccessible. And then Ruskin does his magic and makes the world come alive once more and that inaccessibility barrier is so effortlessly broken!
While the first part was astonishingly well-written for a seventeen year old, this one sees him having matured a great deal since! The kind of observations on life he makes at twenty-one, I'm overjoyed when I'm able to grasp those nuances of life at twenty-eight!
'Because we have no money. You can't have both time and money'
'Weren't there any permanent flesh and blood companions to be found outside the conventions of marriage and business?'
Mr. Bond is a master at narrating the painful struggles of a lonely boy in a manner not too gloomy or hopeless. That wisdom of an old man in teens-twenties - maybe that comes from being a 'vagrant in the valley'.
A deserving sequel to his masterpiece - can't wait to read all of the Rusty tales now!
This introduction by Tom Alter quite sums up my first thoughts on the book. The Room on the Roof, in leaving you with a sense melancholy mixed with hope, leaves you feeling of the story as a distant event trapped in time - something permanent yet inaccessible. And then Ruskin does his magic and makes the world come alive once more and that inaccessibility barrier is so effortlessly broken!
While the first part was astonishingly well-written for a seventeen year old, this one sees him having matured a great deal since! The kind of observations on life he makes at twenty-one, I'm overjoyed when I'm able to grasp those nuances of life at twenty-eight!
'Because we have no money. You can't have both time and money'
'Weren't there any permanent flesh and blood companions to be found outside the conventions of marriage and business?'
Mr. Bond is a master at narrating the painful struggles of a lonely boy in a manner not too gloomy or hopeless. That wisdom of an old man in teens-twenties - maybe that comes from being a 'vagrant in the valley'.
A deserving sequel to his masterpiece - can't wait to read all of the Rusty tales now!
March 14, 2023
Vagrants in the Valley, the latest offering from the master storyteller Ruskin Bond, is a heart-warming sequel to the book, Room on the Roof from the beloved Rusty series. In this book, we catch up with Rusty as he journeys back to the city with his friend Kishen, only to find that his beloved room is no longer his.
Undaunted, Rusty sets out on a journey of self-discovery that takes him through the beautiful hillsides of India. Along the way, he forges new homes and friendships, all the while maintaining a glorious sense of hope as he navigates the tightrope between dreams and reality.
Bond's evocative prose captures the sights, smells, and colors of India, and Rusty's trademark wit and wisdom shine through as he tackles the complexities of growing up. This book is by turns thrilling and nostalgic, and fans of the Rusty series will be delighted to see their favorite character back in action.
Overall, Vagrants in the Valley is a must-read for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, evocative writing, and the beauty of India. Bond's latest book is a true delight, and Rusty's adventures will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.
Undaunted, Rusty sets out on a journey of self-discovery that takes him through the beautiful hillsides of India. Along the way, he forges new homes and friendships, all the while maintaining a glorious sense of hope as he navigates the tightrope between dreams and reality.
Bond's evocative prose captures the sights, smells, and colors of India, and Rusty's trademark wit and wisdom shine through as he tackles the complexities of growing up. This book is by turns thrilling and nostalgic, and fans of the Rusty series will be delighted to see their favorite character back in action.
Overall, Vagrants in the Valley is a must-read for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, evocative writing, and the beauty of India. Bond's latest book is a true delight, and Rusty's adventures will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.
January 21, 2024
Definitely nowhere close to the level of 'The Room on the Roof'. It was something different and close to hearts of many individuals which this book fails to touch. Time period between the publication of these 2 books is clearly visible in the story telling as it feels quite rushed at many points. In fact, it looked more of like a forced sequel. He could have done better by doing what he is so good at - Presenting even a simple moment beautifully in a great elaborated way, passing on the emotions, feels, surroundings and a bit emotions to his readers which was something I found missing at certain points in this novel.
March 25, 2020
This book is a dilemma in its own. Sometimes you feel , the writing is done, in a manner, to make you feel restless and imposes the solitude of the character on you and at the same time , the thrill of an adventure , the enigma of a saunter through a jungle.And the bravado of youth. Yet in the end , the loneliness last longer than the memory an adventure. It makes you feel lonely, odd , incomplete, and wanting for more. This cocktail of emotion runs deep inside and give this story a flavour of its own.
May 2, 2020
This sequel to The Room on The Roof takes time to get you to like it. For one, there are no affable friends like Somi, Ranbir, etc. who brought Rusty out of his loneliness and introduced him to the joys of the Bazaar. However, we do have an interesting range of characters, including Kishen who's drastically different from the earlier book.
There's a lot of moving around and less of Dehra, but you see Rusty becoming a man each day in the book, and that's something.
There's a lot of moving around and less of Dehra, but you see Rusty becoming a man each day in the book, and that's something.
March 26, 2020
This book is one of the Ruskin bond’s classic. This book is the second part of the novel ‘The Room On the Roof’. You will love reading about the little adventures of Rusty. The story flows so smooth and the journey will make you fall in love with this book. Check this article about 40 Best Ruskin Bond Books!! https://dailybugle.in/ruskin-bond-boo...
March 25, 2021
This book is as good as the former part. The reader embarks on the journey with Rusty and Kishen back to Dehra. Rusty gets a taste of a Vagrant's life. Mr. Bond describes every emotion and aspect with complete detail.
The Reader truly gets a good flavor of Vagrant life. While reading the book we too become Vagrant and cherish each detail.
The Reader truly gets a good flavor of Vagrant life. While reading the book we too become Vagrant and cherish each detail.
May 9, 2021
Though not as satisfying as The Room on the Roof, Vagrants in the Valley sees Ruskin Bond in fine literary form.
The novel contains many interesting characters who come and go from Rusty’s life. Kudos to Bond sahib for perfectly capturing the innocence, exuberance, confusion and spirit for adventure that is a part and parcel of adolescent life.
The novel contains many interesting characters who come and go from Rusty’s life. Kudos to Bond sahib for perfectly capturing the innocence, exuberance, confusion and spirit for adventure that is a part and parcel of adolescent life.
June 30, 2021
This book is incredibly good. I loved devouring each and every page of it. Rusty's journey just becomes more and more interesting from its prequel title. And his ability to make friends and be enchanted to him by them with his humanity, caring characteristics is a rarity to find now a days, a spellbounding story to be known. I wish all the best for the life that lies ahead for rusty.
September 22, 2018
A sequel to 'A Room on the Roof', the story follows Rusty's adventures and the new people and old friends he meets during his travels. Though not quite hitting the peak notes of its predecessor, the book retains the inimitable Ruskin Bond flavor and is another quick read.
September 4, 2020
Sequel to "The room on the roof" this book follows the wandering of Rusty and uncertainties he faces as an adolescent while trying to figure out what to make of his life that lays ahead,
beautiful and quick read
beautiful and quick read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews