Ruskin
Bond can never let you down. He tops my chart as my most favourite writer.
Tales of Fosterganj is his latest bestseller. Set in a fictional hamlet near
Mussoorie, this book reads like you are in a holiday in a bizarre place yet
very happy. Bond has once again shown his creative brilliance in
creating a host of characters who are quirky in their own supernatural way yet
few characteristics lend association with the real world.
The
story chronicles the adventure of a of writer from Delhi, who while exploring
the beauty and serenity of Mussoorie passes through the quaint hamlet of
Fosterganj and after liking the calmness of the place, he decides to spend some
time here while working on his next book project. He finds himself a small
place to stay which is not a very luxurious one, yet takes it up for the magnificent
bathroom view. Slowly during his solitary walks he gets to know people living
in Fosterganj and that each one has a story to tell.
He
comes across Mr. Foster, a drunkard who always has sorry stories to rope in
money from people to fulfill his alcoholic needs. Hassan, a hardworking baker,
who rents out his place to the writer. Vishaal, a bank manager, who resides in
a place considered to be haunted by the denizens of Fosterganj. A mother and
son living in an old haunted palace; a pick-pocket who is trying to make it big
but too bogged down by the habit of his picking pockets. Being part of their
lives, the writer discover new stories and explores lot more being part of the
unusual adventures which the people of Fosterganj get into; such as close encounters
with a leopard, a night spent in a disheveled haunted palace only to add to his
bizarre adventure list. Then, going after monster lizards and getting trapped
in the horrors of an unpredicted earthquake.
Another attraction point of this book is its jacket with the beautiful illustration of Fosterganj. I was more attracted by this colourful cover even before peeking into the book.This book is timeless, witty and charming.The beauty of this book is in its
simplicity and once, you are done reading it, you would surely want to take the
next bus in search of such a place. Who knows you might get lucky in finding
your own Fosterganj.
Publisher
: Aleph Book Company
Genre
: Fiction
