Synopses & Reviews
Already an international bestseller, A Kingdom Divided continues the epic story of the Moghuls, one of the most magnificent and violent dynasties in world history.
India, 1530. Humayun, the newly crowned second Moghul emperor, is a fortunate man. His father, Babur, has left him wealth, glory, and an empire that stretches a thousand miles south of the Khyber Pass; he must now build on his legacy, and make the Moghuls worthy of their legendary forebear, Tamburlaine.
But, unbeknownst to him, Humayun is already in grave danger. His half brothers are plotting against him; they doubt that he has the strength, the will, the brutality needed to command the Moghul armies and lead them to still-greater glories. Soon Humayun will be locked in a terrible battle: not only for his crown, not only for his life, but for the existence of the very empire itself.
Review
International Praise for
A Kingdom Divided: "The whole life and times of the Mughal dynasty are brought to life in vivid imagery."--
Historical Novel Review “There are few books in India in the genre of readable, popular historical fiction and the series is a most welcome addition. The books take familiar historical figures from musty history books and place them in the settings of thrilling adventure stories.”--Daily Times India
“Rutherford very deftly recreates the life and times of the second Moghul Emperor who ruled present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India. . . . Like the first book, this one also reflects Rutherfords amazing talent for recreating history as fiction.”--The Sunday Tribune (India)
"Beautifully captures the vast panorama of Hindustan in the early sixteenth century. . . One can almost hear the boom of cannon and screams of fallen soldiers.”--Deccan Chronicle
“If youre looking for adventure this summer, head straight to your nearest book store… because the mighty Moghul is on the rampage!”--Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
“A roaring landslide of an historical epic full of the red-hot heat of battle and the blackout of treachery, with a cast of characters to die for.”--The Northern Echo (UK)
"This book has everything: a flawed yet heroic leader, love, jealousy and treachery. It is a perfect summer read - fast-paced and completely absorbing."--City AM
Review
Praise for
A Kingdom Divided "A perfect summer read--fast paced and completely absorbing" --
City A.M. (UK)
"A roaring landslide of an historical epic full of the red-hot heat of battle and the blackout of treachery, with a cast of characters to die for." --The Northern Echo (UK)
"The hand-to-hand combat pulsates with heroic vigor and plentiful gore, sure to entertain fans, and the climax paves the way for the next epic entry." --Publishers Weekly
"Literally packed with the stuff of lengend--bloody battles, brutal killings, and treachery--this is a turbulent and timeless story told with gripping reality and epic scope." --Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
Synopsis
Already an international bestseller,
A Kingdom Divided continues the epic story of one of the most magnificent and violent dynasties in history. The newly-crowned Emperor Humayun has inherited wealth, glory and an empire. But, unbeknownst to him, he is already in danger. His brothers are plotting against him. Soon he will be locked in a terrible battle for the existence of the very empire itself.
Packed with breath-taking bloodshed and treachery, A Kingdom Divided will enthrall fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, and Wilbur Smith.
Synopsis
Already an international bestseller, A Kingdom Divided continues the epic story of the Moghuls, one of the most magnificent and violent dynasties in world history.
India, 1530. Humayun, the newly crowned second Moghul emperor, is a fortunate man. His father has left him wealth, glory, and an empire that stretches a thousand miles south of the Khyber Pass. But, unbeknownst to him, his half-brothers are plotting against him. They doubt that he has the strength, the will, the brutality needed to command the Moghul armies and lead them to still-greater glories. Soon Humayun will be locked in a terrible battle: not only for his crown, not only for his life, but for the existence of the very empire itself.
About the Author
ALEX RUTHERFORD is the pen name for Diana and Michael Preston, whose nonfiction has been awarded the
Los Angeles Times Science and Technology Prize and been praised worldwide. They are also authors of
Raiders from the North, the first book in the Empire of the Moghul series. They live in London.
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions1. Soon after the establishment of the Moghul Empire, in the Europe of the day ‘Moghul became a synonym for immense wealth. In the 1920s it was applied to the powerful, opulent film magnates of Hollywood and also to major industrialists. If we know the name ‘Moghul so well, why dont most of us know much about the history behind it? Who were the Moghuls and why did they matter?
2. What makes Humayun persist in his quest to recover his empire? How much is down to:
a. a wish to live up to the expectations of his father Babur, the first Moghul emperor?
b. his own character?
c. a sense of destiny?
3. What effect does telling the story through a single point of view - Humayuns - have? How might our perceptions be altered if we had multiple points of view?
4. Humayun believed in astrology and in messages from the stars as well as being a student of astronomy. How did these interests affect his actions and the course of his life?
5. Humayuns marriage to Hamida was a pivotal event in his life. What do you think of their relationship? What was her impact on his story?
6. In addition to Hamida, Khanzada and Gulbadan were strong influences on Humayun. To what effect? What if anything does the book tell us of the role of women in Moghul society at this time?
7. Humayuns father Babur made him promise as he lay dying to do nothing against his half-brothers however much they might deserve it. Humayun struggled valiantly to keep the promise. Would he have been a better ruler if a less likeable character if he had ignored it?
8. This is the second book in a series about a ruling dynasty. In Moghul times dynasties were bolstered by the concept of hereditary rule. In the UK we still have an hereditary monarchy and political dynasties persist in modern societies (e.g. the Nehru/Gandhi dynasty in India, the Bhuttos in Pakistan, the Bushes and the Kennedys in the United States) Why? How might it feel to be the child of a dynasty?
9. How does Humayun change through the book and why?
10. Humayun became addicted to opium and alcohol for part of his life. Do you think there is such a thing as an addictive personality and if so was Humayun one and in what way?
11. What might be the main difficulties when writing an historical novel and looking at the sources?
a. getting beneath the skin of the main characters using the available material which might be scanty and having to imagine their thoughts and feelings etc.?
b. deciding what events to include and which to exclude?
c. deciding the kind of dialogue? (Alex does not use archaic language but also tries to avoid anything too modern in terms of similes, metaphors and modes of expression.)
d. having to immerse oneself in the culture of the time and working out how far to judge motivation and character against that background rather than that of today?
e. While knowing the historical ending, avoiding this foreknowledge dominating the action and dissipating the tension?
14. Alex Rutherford is the pen name for a husband and wife. What might the difficulties be in writing with someone else and in particular ones partner in life as well as in work?