Book: First Loves, Last Loves
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Anthology/Short Stories
Publisher: Rupa Publication
Pages: 120
First Loves, Last Loves by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 12 stories(actually 11, read the review ahead to know why 😉) that have love as a key theme in them. The love that comes from the various aspects of life, and something that stays for long for someone, and while for some, let’s just say trial and error. And these stories by Mr. Bond beautifully expresses these emotions.
This collection has some wonderful characters that we come across in Mr. Bond’s work frequently, especially Binya and Sushila, and that’s a delight. There are times when I get fed up with romance novels because of their predictability or writing or monotonous narrative, Mr. Bond’s stories, characters and writing remind me again and again how simple it is and it’s us that doesn’t see it.
This collection, as usual, is a collection that reminds us why Mr. Bond is so loved and cherished. It’s the simplicity and calmness in his words that always strikes. Though I have read a few of the stories from this collection earlier in some other books, It’s always tempting for a re-read.
Also, I know that many of the same stories by Mr. Bond are published under different names in different books, having the same story twice in only one book under different names was a blunder that happened here. “The Girls On The Train” and “The Eyes Have It” are the same stories under different names here, and though it is one of my favourite stories by Mr. Bond, I would have liked to read some other one!
Also, the title talks about last loves as well and the book cover makes it more relevant but the stories here do not offer much about last loves, and I would have loved to see that. Imagine Ruskin Bond talking about love with the characters from late adulthood! That’s something that I would love to read and thus the book left me with the need for more.
Overall, this is a collection that re-affirms my interest and love for love stories. So if you are looking forward to reading some stories that can make you fall in love with love, read this one.
Rating: 4/5
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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This post is dedicated to the letter L for the word “Love” in the title.
Jainand Gurjar 
Is age catching up with Mr Bond so that he forgets which of his stories were published earlier? It’s funny you get the same story under a different title in another anthology.
But Mr Bond is an amazing writer.
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