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Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Memoir, Essays, Autobiography, Non-Fiction, Journal, Indian Literature
Book Review:
Ruskin Bond's ''The Lamp Is Lit'' is a warm, gentle, and utterly charming journey into the heart and mind of a storytelling legend. Unlike a formal autobiography, this book feels like sitting by a fireside with Bond himself as he flips through old journals, sharing memories, anecdotes, and reflections.
The collection is beautifully varied, moving from the practical struggles of a young writer trying to make his mark to lyrical observations of a spider building its web outside his window. Bond's voice is consistent throughout: wise, self-effacing, humorous, and deeply connected to the people and landscapes of India, especially the hills of Mussoorie. His descriptions are never grandiose but are instead precise and evocative, finding immense beauty in the ordinary.
For fans of Bond's fiction, this book is a treasure trove, revealing the real-life experiences and keen observation that fuel his stories. For new readers, it is the perfect introduction to his worldview—one of resilience, simplicity, and profound appreciation for life's small wonders. The title itself is a metaphor for the sustaining light of creativity and purpose. ''The Lamp Is Lit'' is not a dramatic page-turner, but a soothing, insightful, and deeply satisfying read that illuminates the quiet, steadfast flame of a writer's life. It is, as promised, a heart-warming and fascinating glimpse into the life of a true literary gentle