The Trees of Dehra by Ruskin Bond: Book Review

 “The seed, the stem, the leaves, the flower, the fruit! Can there be a greater miracle?”

Got up early today, and, pulling up a chair in my balcony, I flipped through this volume, in what, to me, was a perfect Sunday morning.

‘The Trees of Dehra’ is a refreshing take on trees. I expected an encyclopedia of sorts but was pleasantly surprised to discover short essays, stories, poems and even character sketches of trees, all sprinkled with bits and pieces of information.

Bond, in talking of trees, lets them assume a character of their own. A naturalist at heart, he talks of trees as great friends, who have, in his conversing with them, also had their turn in conversing with him.

In speaking of Sal, Pine, Coconut, Deodar and the Weeping Willows, Bond leads us through a detailed and enjoyable excursion through the forests of India, sharing their own little secrets and stories of their residents, both terrestrial and aerial.

The fresh green print of the book was an innovation I really enjoyed!

Although the stories are woven around myriad characters, the centre stage throughout belongs to Bond’s beloved trees.

The book is quirked up in the right places with lively illustrations and pretty quotes. This book promises us something different and delivers it too with its thoughtfully envisioned reading experience.

Once you read ‘The Trees of Dehra’, you can never look at trees the same way you did before. Bond makes us look at these taken-for-granted angels with renewed awe and understanding.

Reading this book, I was filled with more love and gratitude for my favourite tree, the Ashoka outside my balcony, the one tree which has been my bestie forever for a long time!

Which tree’s your bestie?

Happy Reading!!