WHILE THE BIRDS STILL SING BY RUSKIN BOND with Illustrations by Prenita Dutt

While the Birds Still Sing by Ruskin Bond is non-fiction and it has a collection of Ruskin Bond's insights and writings on nature. In this book, Ruskin Bond talks about different elements of nature and urges the reader to connect with the nature. This book is both factual and philosophical. This book has chapters dedicated to - Mountains, trees, birds, insects, plants & flowers and rains. 

Ruskin Bond talks about different kinds of  trees, plants, birds etc. and there is a lot to learn from this book in terms of the information it shares. The descriptions are vivid and even indulgent. Ruskin Bond's love for nature is known to all and this love gets reflected in his fiction writings too.  The comfort and serenity that nature provides is simply unparalleled and this book attempts to capture that magic.

With the advent and advancement of technology, people have lost touch and connection with nature and in turn with themselves as well. This book comes as a wake up call for the reader to stop obsessing over their notifications and and instead start paying attention to the joys and enchantments that the nature has to offer. Reading this book made me long for a trip to the mountains. Also, solitude does not seem half as bad if it spent marvelling at the beauty of the nature.

My favourite chapters were the ones about the mountains and the rains. I love both these things and reading about them always makes me very happy. I have always been an admirer of Ruskin Bond's writing and he is one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint either. This is a slow read. In terms of pace, this book is slower than his fiction books and for me it was 'one chapter at a time' experience rather than something to be read in a single sitting.

The illustrations by Prenita Dutt are stunning. Reading this book encompassed two experiences for me - reading Ruskin Bond's words and admiring Prenita Dutt's artwork. Both go perfectly together and these illustrations are indispensable as far as this book is concerned. I enjoyed looking at them.

To read and appreciate this book, one must be a nature lover. It's only when you feel deeply moved by nature yourself that you can find utmost delight in reading a book that celebrates nature in all it's glory. A good can be read in any season but for me, this book is a monsoon read, preferably read in the mountains with a steaming cup of tea. What an experience that would be. Well, a girl can dream.

My Rating - 5 stars

Get this book here.