A baby boy (Ashton) was born to 2 English parents living in India in the 19th century. The mother dies from lack of medical care after childbirth and then he loses his father to Cholera. His nurse maid escapes with him and goes to Delhi to return him to his family because of his father's dying wish, but when they arrive in Delhi, the Indian Rebellion is in full force and she finds his relatives all murdered. Then she travels to a small village away from the political upheaval and passes the boy off as an Indian to protect his life. This is fantastic writing which has pulled me in to the story and I feel like I am there traipsing through the Indian country side.
Ashtons life takes him to extremely different societies such as living in an Indian palace and upper class England where he is educated in proper Victorian English schools. Ashton returns to the land he loves (India) after his British schooling is over and travels all over India as a British officer and falls in love with an Indian girl (Anjuli). Family connections, traditions and society are all conspired to keep the 2 young lovers apart.
I was rarely bored reading this 1,000 page doorstopper; however I enjoyed the first 700 pages more that were focused on the lives and intrigues surrounding Ash and Anjuli. This is truly a fascinating book that gives a good feel for life in 19th century India for both the people of India and the British officers sent to rule the land and impose their laws and way of life on a completely difference culture.
Ashtons life takes him to extremely different societies such as living in an Indian palace and upper class England where he is educated in proper Victorian English schools. Ashton returns to the land he loves (India) after his British schooling is over and travels all over India as a British officer and falls in love with an Indian girl (Anjuli). Family connections, traditions and society are all conspired to keep the 2 young lovers apart.
I was rarely bored reading this 1,000 page doorstopper; however I enjoyed the first 700 pages more that were focused on the lives and intrigues surrounding Ash and Anjuli. This is truly a fascinating book that gives a good feel for life in 19th century India for both the people of India and the British officers sent to rule the land and impose their laws and way of life on a completely difference culture.
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