It was a simpler life in the 1960’s. There was no television or hectic activity and families still took long, leisurely summer vacations in hill stations like Mussoorie. An army band played in the evenings at the Band Stand near the Library. Miss Mussoorie contests were the highlight of the season. People took long walks in the glorious sunshine and socialised with their friends on the Mall Road as the sun set over Vincent Hill. The schools were thriving, and summer visitors looked forward to their annual fetes.
These stories are based on the experiences of an extended family during their summer holidays in Mussoorie in the 1960s seen through the eyes of children. So, dear reader, enjoy the gentle charms of a forgotten time and the innocence of childhood as you turn the pages of this little book.
I published my first book, Journey to the Hills and other Stories, in 2012. The stories were written over a period of 8 years when I was still working full time. They were loosely based on our experiences as children during our summer holidays in Mussoorie in the 1960’s. I published them by myself as an experiment on Amazon and Pothi.
I have been astonished and warmed by the response. It’s as if the book has touched a chord in many people who remember their holidays with their extended family with nostalgia and affection. The response has encouraged me enough to revise and expand the book and get it published again. I hope that existing readers will be motivated to pick up the book again and that new ones will be found who are equally nostalgic for the ‘good old days’.
Gone but never forgotten.
You can buy the book from Amazon Just click on the link.
Praise for Journey to the Hills and Other Stories
Journey of a Masterpiece “…The charm lies in your lucid writing, non-complex plots but the way you wield your pen is worthy of praise. While reading this I feel as if I’m traveling to and in Mussoorie along with Babaji, Dadiji and all. Simple writing filled with sweet humour. Being simple is difficult and this book boasts of simplicity…” Manish Pandey
Puts you in the Scene “…Test Cricket was still played at Green Park’s Modi Stadium in Kanpur where Bhatnagar grew up and he writes vividly about the home and streets in Kanpur and its languid pace in the summer (when historically only mad dogs and Englishmen would step out). Summer meant trips to Nainital or Mussoorie and Bhatnagar describes Mussoorie so vividly that you feel like you are actually there with his family…” Californian
A Relaxing Read “…In writing this tale, Divyaroop is also able to bring out the strong bonding between members of extended families of cousins, uncles, grandparents etc, typical and unique to the Indian family concept…” Ravi. Pisharody
Tales to Relish and Enjoy “…What is really remarkable about the stories is the gentleness with which the author treats each of the characters in the book. The author paints a beautiful picture of a bygone era when hill stations were full of interesting characters and were really used as ‘summer head quarters’ by the affluent families…” Ambi Parameswaran
Beautiful depiction of Hills & life in North India in 1960–70s “…This book is not about giving any gyan or some funda message, and I like that. There seems to be masti and innocence in the air, some interesting family interactions and living lives of solid middle class values. Very nice piece of work. Hope you continue to write with the flair that you have...” Shekhar Srivastava
Nostalgia Personified “…Excellent compilation of stories - you will live the experience even if you have never travelled to this beautiful part of India…” Rahul Sandil
Feedback “…The clarity, imagination, avoidance of all clichés - and much more, persuade me that you simply MUST publish some more.This is simply the most absorbing, unusual, and (for me) amusing, insight into Indian family life in the foothills and below…Your characters are memorable, so true to life… It is a sophisticated ‘children’s book’ on one level… But it also entertains and informs the adult in me: there seems no straining after plot, no melodrama. Children and adults are painted with real insight and fond knowledge. Everyone is rounded, even minor characters. The portraits of Babaji and Dadiji are stunning, and I feel as if I have been welcomed into their holiday home! Far more than a polite chat over tea...The finest portrait of all, perhaps, is Mussoorie itself: I loved all the intimate, sensitively-drawn, details, period atmosphere and while reading and hours afterwards it is no exaggeration to say you transported me there… Robin Alexander
Memories “…Read the book today. Amazing. I am from Lucknow, now in Delhi for many years. Our grandfather used to take the entire clan to Mussoorie most of the summer holidays. The description of the train travel(throwing coins in Gangaji, food spreads kularh chai... repacking of holdalls etc and emotions related to same are so personal yet universal) and Mussoorie brought back old memories. Looks your grandfather was in some way exactly like my grandfather, may be both had similar upbringing. I miss him and wonder why I could not give the same tributes to him. The book is simply superb…” Bindu Saxena
Feedback “…The author really captures the joys, excitements and anxieties of a family group of children (siblings, cousins) of a certain age (say, 8 to 14 years), the dual view of adults (parents, schoolteachers) seen both as formidable, even scary people, but (sometimes seen only in retrospect) with integrity and golden hearts…” Rishiyur Nikhil
Feedback “…If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would - it was amazing. In fact, just thinking about it tonight brought tears to my eyes. (Good tears) I have never read a book like this and become one with the family in the book - I did with this one. In fact, it made me realize even more how important family is and how we need to cherish every moment…” Lara Polk
Charming, nostalgic and heartwarming
I’d read the original edition and it was a superlative read, especially for anyone that has an interest in the Hill Stations of India. There’s a rich cultural fusion of both geography and time and Bhatnagar writes with a languid fluency that is honest and charming. The new edition has been expanded with delightful illustrations and is now on Kindle. Highly recommended!!! M.Pant
You can buy the book from Amazon Just click on the link.
These stories are based on the experiences of an extended family during their summer holidays in Mussoorie in the 1960s seen through the eyes of children. So, dear reader, enjoy the gentle charms of a forgotten time and the innocence of childhood as you turn the pages of this little book.
I published my first book, Journey to the Hills and other Stories, in 2012. The stories were written over a period of 8 years when I was still working full time. They were loosely based on our experiences as children during our summer holidays in Mussoorie in the 1960’s. I published them by myself as an experiment on Amazon and Pothi.
I have been astonished and warmed by the response. It’s as if the book has touched a chord in many people who remember their holidays with their extended family with nostalgia and affection. The response has encouraged me enough to revise and expand the book and get it published again. I hope that existing readers will be motivated to pick up the book again and that new ones will be found who are equally nostalgic for the ‘good old days’.
Gone but never forgotten.
You can buy the book from Amazon Just click on the link.
Praise for Journey to the Hills and Other StoriesJourney of a Masterpiece “…The charm lies in your lucid writing, non-complex plots but the way you wield your pen is worthy of praise. While reading this I feel as if I’m traveling to and in Mussoorie along with Babaji, Dadiji and all. Simple writing filled with sweet humour. Being simple is difficult and this book boasts of simplicity…” Manish Pandey
Puts you in the Scene “…Test Cricket was still played at Green Park’s Modi Stadium in Kanpur where Bhatnagar grew up and he writes vividly about the home and streets in Kanpur and its languid pace in the summer (when historically only mad dogs and Englishmen would step out). Summer meant trips to Nainital or Mussoorie and Bhatnagar describes Mussoorie so vividly that you feel like you are actually there with his family…” Californian
A Relaxing Read “…In writing this tale, Divyaroop is also able to bring out the strong bonding between members of extended families of cousins, uncles, grandparents etc, typical and unique to the Indian family concept…” Ravi. Pisharody
Tales to Relish and Enjoy “…What is really remarkable about the stories is the gentleness with which the author treats each of the characters in the book. The author paints a beautiful picture of a bygone era when hill stations were full of interesting characters and were really used as ‘summer head quarters’ by the affluent families…” Ambi Parameswaran
Beautiful depiction of Hills & life in North India in 1960–70s “…This book is not about giving any gyan or some funda message, and I like that. There seems to be masti and innocence in the air, some interesting family interactions and living lives of solid middle class values. Very nice piece of work. Hope you continue to write with the flair that you have...” Shekhar Srivastava
Nostalgia Personified “…Excellent compilation of stories - you will live the experience even if you have never travelled to this beautiful part of India…” Rahul Sandil
Feedback “…The clarity, imagination, avoidance of all clichés - and much more, persuade me that you simply MUST publish some more.This is simply the most absorbing, unusual, and (for me) amusing, insight into Indian family life in the foothills and below…Your characters are memorable, so true to life… It is a sophisticated ‘children’s book’ on one level… But it also entertains and informs the adult in me: there seems no straining after plot, no melodrama. Children and adults are painted with real insight and fond knowledge. Everyone is rounded, even minor characters. The portraits of Babaji and Dadiji are stunning, and I feel as if I have been welcomed into their holiday home! Far more than a polite chat over tea...The finest portrait of all, perhaps, is Mussoorie itself: I loved all the intimate, sensitively-drawn, details, period atmosphere and while reading and hours afterwards it is no exaggeration to say you transported me there… Robin Alexander
Memories “…Read the book today. Amazing. I am from Lucknow, now in Delhi for many years. Our grandfather used to take the entire clan to Mussoorie most of the summer holidays. The description of the train travel(throwing coins in Gangaji, food spreads kularh chai... repacking of holdalls etc and emotions related to same are so personal yet universal) and Mussoorie brought back old memories. Looks your grandfather was in some way exactly like my grandfather, may be both had similar upbringing. I miss him and wonder why I could not give the same tributes to him. The book is simply superb…” Bindu Saxena
Feedback “…The author really captures the joys, excitements and anxieties of a family group of children (siblings, cousins) of a certain age (say, 8 to 14 years), the dual view of adults (parents, schoolteachers) seen both as formidable, even scary people, but (sometimes seen only in retrospect) with integrity and golden hearts…” Rishiyur Nikhil
Feedback “…If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would - it was amazing. In fact, just thinking about it tonight brought tears to my eyes. (Good tears) I have never read a book like this and become one with the family in the book - I did with this one. In fact, it made me realize even more how important family is and how we need to cherish every moment…” Lara Polk
Charming, nostalgic and heartwarming
I’d read the original edition and it was a superlative read, especially for anyone that has an interest in the Hill Stations of India. There’s a rich cultural fusion of both geography and time and Bhatnagar writes with a languid fluency that is honest and charming. The new edition has been expanded with delightful illustrations and is now on Kindle. Highly recommended!!! M.Pant
You can buy the book from Amazon Just click on the link.
