Old Times’ Sake – By Ruskin Bond (Published by Rupa Publications India)

Wrap yourself in the warm, comforting embrace of yesterday and rediscover the sweet, enduring magic of an era long gone. Published by Rupa Publications India, Old Times’ Sake is a beautifully curated collection of essays, personal reflections, and poignant short stories from India’s master storyteller, Padma Bhushan awardee Ruskin Bond. Writing with his characteristic gentleness, humor, and unparalleled observational grace, Bond serves as the ultimate literary companion for anyone who finds comfort in the rich tapestry of memory.

There is a unique quality to the past that makes us want to reach backward and hold onto it as if it were a physical, tangible object—the fierce innocence of a mid-century childhood, the uncomplicated joys of a slower, simpler life, and the deep roots of lifelong friendships. Sketics might argue that this longing is merely the product of looking backward through rose-tinted glasses, but Bond challenges this cynical modern view. As he brilliantly reminds us: “All this is pure nostalgia, of course, but why be ashamed of it? Nostalgia is simply an attempt to try and preserve that which was good in the past… The past has served us: why not serve the past in this way?”

Old Times’ Sake is explicitly crafted for the unapologetic nostalgia nuts. Moving through quiet Himalayan valleys, sleepy colonial towns, and historic railway stations, Bond brings the old-world charm of pre-digital India back into sharp, vibrant focus. From the bitter sting of early losses to the quiet, lasting triumphs of human love and companionship, these stories capture the foundational moments that shape our lives. Told in his inimitable, conversational style, this anthology reads less like a book and more like an intimate evening spent sharing memories with a cherished old friend over a warm cup of tea.

Perfect for dedicated collectors of Indian literature, readers who appreciate slow-paced, atmospheric prose, and anyone looking for a literary escape from the frantic chaos of contemporary life, this timeless treasury offers: