Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Currently reading - Shalimar by Rebecca Ryman

Earlier this year, I read Olivia and Jai by Rebecca Ryman. It was a book that had been recommended to me as being good for anyone who enjoyed reading historical fiction set in India, particularly during the days of the English Raj. I really enjoyed the book but was disappointed to find that the sequel, Veil of Illusion, was not available through my Inter Library Loan system. I have been told though that the sequel is disappointing compared to the first one though, so maybe it wasn't a bad thing that I couldn't get it.

What was available through ILL was Rebecca Ryman's only other book - Shalimar. Once again, we visit the exotic locales of India, and I have to say I am enjoying it very much, particularly the interactions between the two main characters, Emma and Damian.

Set in the late nineteenth century in the remote northern outreaches of the British Indian empire, Shalimar is an epic love story that unfolds among the lush Kashmir mountains and the intrigue of the Great Game - the diplomatic and military struggle between Britain and other nations for control of lucrative trade and territory.

Emma Wyncliffe is a disaffected, twenty-three-year-old British woman living with her family in Dehli. She is fiercely independent, willful, and intelligent. But it is not until her younger brother, a soldier in the Northern forces, suffers heavy gambling debts, that Emma is forced into a marriage to Damien Granville, a man with dangerous secrets who is rumored to be a spy.

It is Emma's search for the truth, and love, that drives the narrative of this grand novel set along India's fabled Silk Road -- the trade route between the West and China.

Readers of historical fiction will be captivated by this sweeping tale of love, strength, and deception.

Some time ago Alex compiled a list of books with this fabulous setting which included this book. You can find Alex's post Why I Love Historical Fiction Set in India by clicking on the link.

14 comments:

  1. I've been wanting to read the books Alex mentioned in that post since she posted it but I still haven't... I hope you like that one. I only have Zemindar on my TBR pile...

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    1. I want to get to Zemindar eventually too.

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  2. This book sounds wonderful....I love India as a setting (Zemindar is one of my top favorite books of all time!). Thank you for the book spotlight.

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    1. Welcome! There are some great books with an Indian setting.

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  3. Perhaps you can help Joanne. I found Zeminder
    at a used bookstore and snapped it up for $1 as I have heard so many wonderful comments about it.
    I have tried to read it numerous times and never seem to get past the part where they arrive in India. I love the fact that it's told in the first person, and the boat trip over
    is wonderful, but after that I lose interest. I keep saying to myself "What is the matter with me? Everyone loves this book." Any suggestions?

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    1. Hi -I'll try to help, but I don't think you should feel guilty if you don't like the book as much as everyone else. We are all different as to what entertains us in books, and Zemindar may not interest you for different reasons. Is there too much historical detail, or maybe the plot does not move quickly enough? I happen to like big, sweeping, richly detailed novels with historical settings, while others may like something that has less details and more action. I admit there is a lot of attention to the cultural and political aspects of the times, and that may not be interesting to some. Also, the hero and heroine of the story are not "beautiful" and they have a more platonic relationship -- there is no sizzling chemistry. So I say if you've given it your best effort and it just doesn't hold your interest, you can at least say you tried it and just wasn't what you were expecting. There are so many good books out there to explore. Good luck!

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  4. I also fall into the Alex category and thank you for the post. The author is new to me and I am definitely going to look out for her books.

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    1. Mystica, I hope you can find this one and Olivia and Jai in particular!

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  5. This one sounds like it would be right down my alley!

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  6. Thanks for your reply Joanne. The more I think of it you're right. The political details were definitely what discouraged me. I was surprised to discover I visit your blog frequently and we have similar favorites. I tried e-mailing you, but it wouldn't go through. Anyway, here's another book to add to your TBR pile if you haven't discovered it already - Phillipa Gregory's "A Respectable Trade". It's not about
    India but the slave trade in the 1700's. IMO it's her best but is largely neglected.
    My TBR pile is totally out of control so I figure why shouldn't everyone else's be the same?!

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation....I'll look it up on Goodreads. Happy reading!

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    2. Love that this conversation happened on the blog!

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  7. This sounds EXACTLY like my type of book! (I love exotic locales!) I'm going to keep my eye out for it. Thanks for the great review :)

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    1. Libby, I hope you enjoy it if you do manage to track it down!

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