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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
When this book is good, it is *so* good. On the edge of your seat, unputdownable good. The middle of this book literally raised my hair!
But it's a long one. I skimmed the last quarter because the author just seems to give up. She switches subjects from India to Afghanistan, from suttee to a massacre in a British Mission. The tone of the book changes for the worse and I was bored of the detailed descriptions of the location. I understand that Kaye is drawing on the experiences of her grandfather, to whom the events happened, but I think she found it a bit more interesting than I did.
But it's a long one. I skimmed the last quarter because the author just seems to give up. She switches subjects from India to Afghanistan, from suttee to a massacre in a British Mission. The tone of the book changes for the worse and I was bored of the detailed descriptions of the location. I understand that Kaye is drawing on the experiences of her grandfather, to whom the events happened, but I think she found it a bit more interesting than I did.
An amazing saga of an Indian boy raised by an English father, the conflicts and perspective this brings to his life in Britain-controlled India.
Okay this book is 49 hours on audio and when I got to the end thought "What? That's IT?" It felt a little abrupt. You would think at that point I'd be like "WRAP IT UP, KAYE" but I was left wanting more. In a good way.
I remember liking this a lot...but I can't remember any details about it. I recall I was working at Waldensbooks that summer and this was one of my favorites of my reading list. Jade Moon was another winner in that stack.
adventurous
emotional
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved this. It's written by someone who knew and loved India, and the wealth of detail comes across throughout the book. The prickly leading character, Ash, a maverick Indian Army officer in Victorian times, is intriguing, the character development is good, and the story of the romance, the intrigue, the perils and deaths are all excellently handled. I just wish she had written more novels. I've read this one several times now and it's still capable of being an absorbing and enjoyable read.
It has been about 18 years since I last read this book, but remains one of my favorites for the epic story-line and lush settings. An impressionable moment of my naive youth? Read it and decide for yourself!
One of my favorite books ever. M.M. Kaye provides a great story within a detailed historical context. The author's love of India and her people is clear in every word and detail she writes.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No