Rusty Goes to London is the fourth book in Puffin’s new series of the complete escapades of Rusty; this is the first time that all the Rusty stories are available in chronological order.
In his early twenties now, Rusty finally severs ties with Dehra and books a passage to England, with the dream of writing and selling his novel abroad. First in his aunt’s house in Jersey, and then in rented lodgings in London, he works as a clerk by day and writes away in the evenings. Eventually the novel is finished and Rusty even finds a publisher. But this, he discovers, does not mean that his book will see the light of day soon …
While in London, Rusty has myriad adventures, each more incredible than the last. Strolling down Baker Street, he runs into Sherlock Holmes, who gives him a few lessons in investigative techniques. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, he is accosted by Rudyard Kipling. And then, of course, there is the strange incident at the Chinese quarter, the Calypso Christmas in his lodgings, and the story of the Vietnamese girl Vu-Phuong.
After three years abroad, however, Rusty realizes that he wants to make India his permanent home; all he really needs is a room of his own to live and write in, as the vibrant world that he has known and loved all along unfolds outside. Returning to Dehra, he renews some acquaintances and makes a few new ones, and settles into his role as full-time author.
Full of interesting stories and memorable characters, Rusty Goes to London is a book that will delight all of Ruskin Bond’s young fans
