Panther's Moon - Book Review

This book by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 10 short stories for children, some of which have appeared in few books also.  Mr. Bond, being a resident of Mussorie, is known to write stories that capture the picturesque beauty of the hills or the plains.  This book which deals mainly with the animals covers the flora and fauna, along with other rare breeds of animals in great detail.

The tone of Narration varies according to the story.  Sometimes it’s a monologue and sometimes a narration.  However, it is, the story telling is impeccable, even if it’s in an animal’s point of view.  Indeed, his serene, picture perfect hill town surroundings are vividly described in each chapter.

As usual a mundane day is turned into the most eventful day in the stories.  His words bring forth an visual that is appalling and nerve racking as the story unfolds explaining the events that will mark the day.  It was also his narration that shows us just how impossible and hard the life of people living in the hills is.  One interesting thing to be noted is how the author has taken a keen interest on every animal and bird around him, noticing the tiniest detail and tying it in the story he builds around the animal.

The author through his stories showcases that both animals and humans must keep to their boundaries.  Any other way is only disturbing the nature’s balance.  And all the stories underline and educate the readers of this importance.  The author narrates the hunting of the prey by ferocious predators as if he had been on a hunting expedition himself.  The whole incident keeps us mesmerised with bated breath to know if the prey was safe or not.

I especially like the chapter of “A crow for all seasons”.  It was really funny and the way the author chooses to tell his story is fresh and imaginative.  Then there was “Eyes of the cat”, which I had to read it again to check if I indeed caught the crux.  I wouldn’t say it as paranormal but it definitely was vindictive and vendetta.  This will make a good read for the middle grade kids.