BOOK REVIEW OF ANOTHER DAY IN LANDOUR : LOOKING OUT OF MY WINDOW

 

In Another Day in Landour, Looking Out from My Window, Ruskin Bond reflects on the realities of ageing, the quiet act of observation, and the value of ordinary moments. As he notes, when advancing years limit one’s ability to move about freely, the window becomes both a literal and symbolic connection to the outside world. For Bond, looking out each day is not merely a habit but a practice of finding meaning—even in gloomier times, there is always something to notice, some thread of positivity to hold on to.

Bond admits that he is philosophical at times, but not spiritual. His reflections remain grounded in life as it is lived—sometimes joyful, sometimes painful, but always honest. He writes openly of the discomforts of age: gout, tooth loss, eye problems, fungal infections. These troubles interrupt his days, yet he finds ways to endure them through reading, writing, and observing the world around him.

Family plays an important role in these writings. He warmly appreciates Beena, Shrishti, Siddharth, and Gautam, acknowledging their presence in his daily life. His musings also stretch outward, to the natural world and its challenges, human suffering, and environmental concerns—especially the damage caused by plastic pollution. These reflections reveal not only a personal record but also a thoughtful engagement with the future of the planet.

Literature, naturally, runs through the book like a familiar companion. Bond recalls other writers and their themes, paying attention to the way rivers, detectives, and other motifs have shaped storytelling. His own long-standing affection for railway stations resurfaces, highlighting their significance both in his personal memories and in his fiction. Interspersed are poems and limericks, lightening the tone while reinforcing his enduring love for words.

The book is richly textured with personal detail. The sound of rain on a tin roof, water dripping into a study-bedroom, the comfort of simple breakfasts, Beena’s fasting, or even his fondness for vodka—all find their way into the narrative. His bond with readers is celebrated through anecdotes of fan letters, house visits, birthday gatherings, book launches, and interviews, which underscore his lasting connection with his audience.

Structurally, the work draws from three broad phases of his life while weaving in journal entries that occasionally acknowledge global events. Childhood memories resurface, creating a bridge between past and present, while long drives with Siddharth bring in another layer of personal warmth.

At its core, Another Day in Landour emphasizes two essential qualities: patience and adjustment. For Bond, these are the keys to living meaningfully in the face of age and limitation. His writing reminds us that while pain and loss are inevitable, they need not diminish the richness of life.

With simplicity, candour, and quiet wisdom, Ruskin Bond offers readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant journal. Not spiritual but gently philosophical, the book reaffirms the enduring power of observation, literature, and memory to sustain a meaningful life.