ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli in 1934. He grew up in different parts of India, namely Jamnagar, Dehradun, New Delhi, and Shimla. Bond wrote his first book, The Room on the Roof, at the age of seventeen. The book got him the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. He has authored many novellas, essays, short stories, and children’s books.
Ruskin Bond received many awards in recognition of his contribution to children’s literature, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and the Delhi government’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bond was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1999, and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
SYNOPSIS
Crazy Times with Uncle Ken is a hilarious tale of the adventures of Uncle Ken. In this endearing and funny tale, Ruskin Bond presents the routine events of his life with his uncle Ken. The author recollects, in a joyful and lively manner, the misadventures of his eccentric relative, Uncle Ken. The short, 157-page book is an easy read for readers of all age groups. It consists of twelve short stories, each dealing with different instances in the author’s life.
Uncle Ken is his parents’ only son. He is pampered by his parents and four sisters, one of whom is the author’s mother. He was expelled from two schools for his misadventures. Later, he failed to get admission to other schools. He educated himself with some help from his father. When his parents urged him to look for a job, Uncle Ken went over to his sisters’ and enjoyed their hospitality for several weeks.
Uncle Ken always had grandiose plans, which never took off and invariably landed him in the soup. Ruskin bond relates the incident when Uncle Ken, while working as a tour guide, lost his way in the valleys. There, he was haunted by a mysterious ghost, stung by wasps, and chased away by angry farmers. The author presents these episodes in such a delightful manner that it becomes hard to contain your laughter.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT CRAZY TIMES WITH UNCLE KEN
Simply put, everything. For starters, the simple language is ideal for young readers. The heart-warming, hilarious short stories, the relaxed tone, and the beautiful narration all make for a wonderful reading experience. Crazy Times with Uncle Ken is one of those books that can cheer even a crying man up and make him laugh his heart out.
WHAT WE DID NOT LIKE ABOUT CRAZY TIMES WITH UNCLE KEN
The illustrations from Bombay Design House are quite alluring. Including more pictures would have endeared the book even further to young readers and children.
QUOTES
In a world that has no time for losers, to be a survivor is something of an achievement.
CONCLUSION
Crazy times with Uncle Ken is an outright children’s classic. It is sure to stir your childhood memories and take you on a nostalgic adventure. Parents can also use the book as a launch pad for inculcating a healthy reading habit in their young ones.
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