Book Review: Umbrella or Olive Branch?
The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond is a children’s fiction book that explores the importance of being kind, even when it is inconvenient to oneself. The Blue Umbrella is set in India in a small village in the mountains. The story follows a young girl named Binya as she faces challenges brought to her in the form of a dainty and blue umbrella.
Binya is around 10 years old when the story begins. Binya, her mother, and brother Biju live in a part of the Himalayan mountains called Garhwal, where they live off of the land by farming and owning cows. One day, as Binya is calling for the cows, she comes across a group of picnickers. Binya was fixated on a bright blue and flowerlike umbrella that lay next to the plains people. They noticed Binya immediately, and one of the young women desperately wanted the lucky leopard’s claw around her neck. After much bartering, Binya went home with the beautiful umbrella and a smile on her face. Although Binya has not much practical use for the umbrella, it is a commodity she carries around with her everywhere. Everyone in her village admires and desires her pretty umbrella. One day, the rich shop owner of the village, Ram Bharosa, sets his eyes on the umbrella, and he knows then that he wants it for himself. He is the wealthiest man, so why would not he have the most extravagant umbrella? Why does it belong to Binya? However, as much as he begs and barters, Binya insists it is not for sale. Thus, the ominous cloud of jealousy is cast over Ram Bharosa. Ram Bharosa continues to offer Binya and Biju credit at his store in hopes of acquiring the umbrella, but it is all in vain. The umbrella is special to Binya, and she goes as far as to climb a down a cliff to save it. She loves it and even uses it in the rain. Shortly after, Ram Bharosa hires a boy from the village over, Rajaram, to help in his store. After Rajaram hears the old man complain of the absence of this umbrella in his life, he makes a deal with him to steal it for three rupees. How far will Ram Bharosa go to have the umbrella, and how far will Binya go to save it?
As I was reading The Blue Umbrella I found myself wondering just that: how far would they go just to have this umbrella? This seemingly useless umbrella is the cause of much jealousy and happiness throughout the story. I find the book to be not only entertaining, but I loved the simplicity of the sweet story about the character of a seemingly unmemorable girl called Binya. The innocence and plainness of her are quite captivating. Binya knew right from wrong even when others did not, and therefore I felt she is a protagonist the reader can truly enjoy and side with.
Ruskin Bond intends for the novel to capture how ordinary characters show heroism and how other characters can reinvent themselves for the better good. He describes the book as just short and humorous. (Bond Inside-Cover). I agree with Bond that the novela does show how a person can be redeemed; however, I had difficulty in seeing how Binya was heroic. It is true that she saved the umbrella, more than once, and eventually made a sacrifice in the end of a novel. Yet, I do not think I would go so far as to say she showed extraordinary valliance. To me, the story gave a beautiful example of a simple kindness that a girl shared, and how the gift can be shared. Never once as I was reading the novel did I think of Binya as a true heroine, as the author intends. This is not to say that the story did not show a protagonist with bravery and humanity, because it did. The humorous tone that Bond includes makes the story all the more enjoyable to me, and it surely will be loved by children as well. Although I never audibly laughed, some of the scenes with the miserable shopkeeper I felt may get a giggle from a child reading the novel.
The Blue Umbrella, although published in 1980, still remains relevant today due to its relatable themes. The issues of material beauty and possessions were raised in the novel. The entire story, (including the title), is focused on a mostly useless yet pretty object. As I was first reading the novel, I thought that this may give children the wrong idea about what is important in life. By the end of the novel, it was clear to me that the umbrella was not the message of the story but rather the vessel through which the story of selfless acts was told. This made me wonder if young and impressionable children who read the book will understand the purpose of the blue umbrella in the novel? The lack of an explicit message makes me wonder if, because the focus for most of the novel is on the novelty of the umbrella, children will grasp the hidden meaning from the end of the novel?
In contemporary children’s novels books, such as Wonder by R.J. Palaceo and Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan, many of the themes about superficiality are blatant and obvious for children to understand. In Wonder, Palacio makes it clear to the readers that outward appearances are unimportant and in Amina’s Voice, Khan proves that we all deserve to be treated equally, no matter our religion, culture, or appearance. Although the messages of kindness and selflessness are displayed in The Blue Umbrella, I wonder if Ruskin Bond displays the message clearly enough for children to understand?
Overall, I found the story quite delightful. I loved reading the effortless story Bond tells through the admirable and lovable characters. The uncomplicated way of life the people of Garhwal live contributes to the simplistic adventures Binya goes through. It is important not to focus so greatly on superficial ideas, but rather focus on friendship, kindness, and forgiveness. Through Binya and Ram Bharosa’s interactions and eventual friendship, Bond shows morality through a clear lens.
Work Cited:
Bond, Ruskin. The Blue Umbrella. Rupa Publications, 1992.