This is a sweeping epic of India during the British empire-days. It is also a love, story an adventure story and a war story. It is about Ashton/Ashok a boy whose parents die in India during the mutiny and he is raised by an Indian woman. As a child, before he discovers he is English he meets Anjuli, a Princess. Ash returns to India as a British officer and encounters Anjuli again and they fall in love. War with the Afgans breaks out so there is alot of action. There is never a dull moment.
A classic tale of the British Raj in India that spans decades. A baby boy is born to an English couple in India. As the Sepoy Mutiny rages across India, the boy is given to the care of an Indian nurse, who raises him as her own child to protect him. The boy grows into his early teens believing he is Indian and becomes involved in mystery and murder in a small kingdom. Fleeing with his "mother" for his life, he discovers he is English. Years later, after returning from England as a officer in the British Indian Army, he confronts his two identities and must choose his destiny. This decision become dangerous when he again meets those he knew as a child - especially her!
A search for identity, a war story, a love story, and a story of the British Raj with its benefits and imperfections. Something for everyone.
Made into a TV series that was almost as wonderful to watch as the book was to read.
If you loved reading Kipling's "Kim" as a child, I guarantee you will love reading this book as an adult.
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.
Excellent book, one of my all time favorties. I still remember the characters after reading it over 25 year ago.
Fantastic, historical fiction/sweeping epic saga of the first order. One of the classics of early historical fiction.
A book on India. I love this one.
Excellent read. Great entertainment
Star-crossed lovers story-set in India around 1850s with an English military officer and an Indian princess. Lots of history and background details. Over 1180 pages long complete with a glossary. Great read for winter nights!
A saga in every sense of the word. You will come away with a greater undertanding of the culture of India and a little more knowledgeable about England and her tie to the country.
