This is perhaps the first book review that I am writing. And aptly, just like my book reviewing experience, which is still in its infancy, I chose a children's book for review. When my good friend Rajesh lent me his copy of "Wind in the Willows" he told me that I will enjoy reading the book not just because it has been written so well but also because it is allegorical. And how right he was!
You know how some books leave that lingering feeling of joy and sadness after you have read them. You feel sad because a wonderful story has come to an end and there are no more pages to turn. And you have read everything there was in the book, including foreword and afterword. This book was such. Kenneth Grahame takes you in a world far away from ours where there is no deceit, cunningness, rivalry etc. The inhabitants of the riverside - Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toady - live in harmony devoid of all negative things in life. It is a tale of all the adventures (and misadventures) they have. In my opinion this is by no means a book for kids. Kenneth's narration is bejeweled with fine language constructs that only a grown-up would relish. Kenneth paints such a beautiful picture of the riverside, the woods and the day-to-day lives of the forest dwellers that it makes you yearn to find such a place.
I read this edition of the book. While there might be many other editions with more beautiful illustrations I liked this edition because its afterword by David Stuart Davies gives you a peek into the life of Kenneth Grahame, which probably influenced him to write such a wonderful tale.
So go ahead and read the book :).
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