"One of the most fascinating, gently humorous and eye-opening books on the city. Filled with wonderful narratives on the city that might have been. A beautifully crafted treasure trove. " 

Sunhil Sippy

“It is by far the most beautiful book I own.”​

Surabhi Ojha

“Since Bombay's very inception, its diverse inhabitants have been united in a singular belief: that the place could do with a little improvement. In his painstakingly researched, engagingly presented Bombay Imagined, Robert Stephens excavates visions of the City Unrealised. This is more than just a prospectus of plans and projects that failed to reach fruition (in some cases, thankfully so). It is also a loving tribute to the eccentrics and altruists, hucksters and geniuses who have called Bombay home. I read and re-read it with awe and enjoyment.”  

Naresh Fernandes, author of City Adrift: A Short Biography of Bombay 

“Sit back with Bombay Imagined: An Illustrated History of the Unbuilt City, and time-travel through its spotlight on 200 unrealised plans and dreams to many Bombays — parallel, phantom cities and histories — that just might have been! It tells a great story of ideas on reclamation, housing, sanitation, reuse, architecture and more, that have championed an almost impossible city for the last 350 years. With painstaking, original research animated with archival images and digital artwork or ‘speculations’, Bombay Imagined is thoughtfully, creatively constructed, accessible and exciting. Written with brevity, humour, even fun, it left me amused, amazed and inspired. Trust me, this is a Bombay book for everyone!”

Alisha Sadikot, founder of The Inheritage Project ​

"I love people who make books. I am impressed by people who complete book projects. I am simply in awe of people who complete books as ambitious as this one."

Sanne van der Kaaij-Gandhi

"The book is more than what I imagined it to be. Truly incredible work."

Ashwin Mallya

"As a compulsive reader, I’ve appreciated English Classic Literature more than architectural texts. Architectural texts are informative and intriguing, but they can be lengthy and difficult to retain (in memory). I’ve only read a few pages of ‘Bombay Imagined’ and I’m already excited to finish it. The writing style is timeless and has an anecdotal background. It is almost as if the book translates Bombay’s urbanscape into figurative poetry of a collective history. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book! Hope you write more of these. " 

Arushi Bhargava

"What a wonderful book you have written/made/conceived! It is endlessly immersive and I keep making connections to the city as it is. This book will be an essential part of the canon of writings on Bombay's Urbanism, and I am so thankful for that."

Mustansir Dalvi

"The sheer weight of the book, the beautiful illustrations, volumes of untold history….possibly the most deeply researched book I have read in years."

Tushar Kanade