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The Twentieth Wife
by Indu Sundaresan
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9780743428187 
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Only 2 left in stock at $6.95!
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses — a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, The Twentieth Wife sweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman — a legend in her own time — who was all but lost to history until now.
Review:
"First-time novelist Sundaresan writes in the great tradition of the Indian epic, an art she carries forward with grace and brilliance....This is a remarkably readable book despite the historical basis, with which many readers will not be familiar." Michelle Reale, Library Journal
Review:
"More than just a love story, this novel offers a kaleidoscope of India's history and culture....Through the intelligent and perceptive Mehrunnisa, Sundaresan conducts a symphony of textures." Elsa Gaztambide, Booklist
Review:
"Despite its descriptive strengths, however, the work doesn't quite convince as creative fiction. So much plot is squeezed into the novel that there's little time for character development Mehrunnisa and Jahangir are wooden and one-dimensional creations, and matters aren't helped by the often stilted prose. Regardless of the wealth of edifying historical detail, this tale of palace intrigue is less than intriguing." Publishers Weekly
Review:
"[A] fascinating novel about a fascinating time...characters that...move with grace and panache across the brilliant stage she has reconstructed." Chitra Divakaruni, author of The Mistress of Spices and The Unknown Errors of Our Lives
Synopsis:
Based on the life of an actual empress of the Mughal empire, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built, "The Twentieth Wife" blends historical reality with the rich imaginings of a fairy tale, providing a fascinating portrait of one woman's defiant life behind the veil.
About the Author
Indu Sundaresan, born and raised in India, came to the United States for graduate school. The Twentieth Wife is her first novel. She continues Mehrunnisa's tale in The Feast of Roses, forthcoming from Atria Books. She lives in Bellevue, Washington.
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
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missjolieann, May 9, 2007 (view all comments by missjolieann)
I loved this book! Sundaresan does a lovely job bringing her characters to life with beauty and detail. I knew nothing of the history of India and really enjoyed the fictional telling of this story. I highly recommend this enjoyable easy read to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
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noneko, August 28, 2006 (view all comments by noneko)
"Based on the life of an actual empress of the Mughal empire, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built, "The Twentieth Wife" blends historical reality with the rich imaginings of a fairy tale, providing a fascinating portrait of one woman's defiant life behind the veil."
I would caution readers that this synopsis is not correct. The Taj Mahal was built for the wife of the son of Jahangir, who happened to be Nur Jahan's neice. Just wanted to make that clear.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but I felt that it was more summer reading. There isn't much meaningful about it, but then again, there doesn't need to be. It's a love story, pure and simple, and it's a very good one at that.
View all 2 comments
Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9780743428187
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Washington Square Press
- Subject:
- General
- Subject:
- History
- Subject:
- Action & Adventure
- Subject:
- Historical - General
- Subject:
- Sagas
- Subject:
- Empresses
- Subject:
- General Fiction
- Subject:
- General Fiction
- Copyright:
- 2003
- Edition Description:
- B102
- Publication Date:
- February 2003
- Binding:
- Paperback
- Grade Level:
- General/trade
- Language:
- English
- Illustrations:
- Y
- Pages:
- 416
- Dimensions:
- 8.38x5.26x1.07 in. .78 lbs.
