I knew for my two week trip through Rajasthan that the perfect book to read would be The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan. I had already read this book while living in India–and the sequel too, The Feast of Roses. Both are so beautiful depicting the life of Mehrunnisa and the love story–no triumph might be a better word–she experienced with the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. All the descriptions of life in the harem, behind those intricate laced walls, depict women as quite powerful, especially Mehrunnisa. She set her sights on her conquest and didn’t stop until him and her goal were captured. Mehrunnisa was the the last empress of the Mughal Empire, and she was Jahangir’s last and twentieth wife. For an exciting, political, cultural, and romantic story that transports the reader to a sultry and mysterious place and enchanting time in Indian history both of Sundarresan’s books, The Twentieth Wife and The Feast of Roses, are definitely worth reading. I love them both and feel like a MaharAnnie myself while reading them–especially while traveling through magical Rajasthan where all the history happened.
How do you choose books for when you travel? Can you recommend a book to me?
*This post has been linked up to #iwillwearwhatilike.
Thanks. I’m going to reserve it from my library.
Oh good! You’ll love it–I think. It really takes you back in time and to a really grand time in history. Let me know what you think, K? A x
Sounds good, will download a sample. Recommendation from me: Burial Rites, Hannah Kent. It’s a novel based òn the last execution in Iceland of a woman found guilty of murder. Very powerful piece of writing.
-Gail
Ooooh! Thanks for the recommendation! I get kind of scared. Is it too scary for me? Sound very interesting though…. Will order it for our library. Thanks Gail! A x
those books look very evocative, perfect to read meanwhile visiting India!. I like to read something related to the places I’m visiting, it adds an interesting perspective!. I read Jan Neruda’s “Tales of the Little Quarter” before visiting Prague, and it was like walking into XIX century!
besos & libros
Oooh! I love Prague. Prague has some history in my husband and my coutrship….! I will definitely be adding this title to our library. Thanks! A x