A home in Himalayas: Called by the Hills by Anuradha Roy

–A heartfelt review of a book that captures the quiet magic of mountain life

My rating ^{(* have a look at my rating scale here)}: 5/5

“The mountains in this book don’t stand still—they breathe, endure, and remember.”

If you long for the three “S”s in life—silence, solitude, and a slower pace—then Called by the Hills by Anuradha Roy is a must-read.

🌿A Journey Into the Himalayas

This 171-page long memoir, a journey of Anuradha Roy from fortuitous discovery of the place that she made home in Ranikhet – a quiet hamlet – in the Himalayan hills. What unfolds is not just a story of relocation, but a deeply personal narrative about creating a sanctuary in the hills.

 She shares her experiences of trying to grow her personal paradise, her dream garden. The challenges she faced whether from ‘Ama’ (grandmother in Kumaoni language) her housekeeper (whom she calls “The Ancient” and devotes an entire chapter to), or from the garden itself, which she describes as having a mind of its own.

🐾 Love, Loss, and Companionship

A dog lover, Anuradha dedicates the book to “Jerry”, whom she calls her “magic dog”. The reason why she calls Jerry ‘magical’ is revealed in the chapter “About the dogs”. I could deeply feel the tragic loss of Jerry in “The Wounded Mountain”—it felt as though I had lost one of my own.

“The Wounded Mountain” also reflects on the anthropogenic changes that have driven the mountains from divine to devastated. The resulting climate crisis and the consequent impact on the native flora and fauna are overwhelming. The human urge to exploit the fragile Himalayan ecology, coupled with indifference, is truly heartbreaking.

✨ Writing Style and Visual Beauty

This isn’t just a book you read—it’s one you experience.

One word that stayed with me throughout the book is beautiful. What is beautiful piece of writing—and what exquisite artwork accompanies it! One can feel the cool, soothing atmosphere of Himalayas with every turn of page. The book leaves behind a lingering longing to escape to the mountains, especially for those who crave solitude in the hills.

🎁 A Special Edition Worth Mentioning

My copy, purchased from Amazon, was a limited edition that included six beautiful full-colour notecards created by the author. It felt like owning a small piece of Anuradha’s Garden and Himalayas.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves the Himalayas and dreams of settling amidst nature—surrounded by a garden in bloom and the companionship of lively dogs.