An epic novel in both its depth (people, places, events) and its length-almost 800 pages (every one of which I read avidly).
From England to India in the mid eighteen hundreds:
"Through this book we travel with Laura, Emily and Charles during their sea voyage to India, as they adjust to Indian life staying with various relatives as they work their way into India and then, as they meet Oliver Erskine and then stay with him in his estate, we watch the flowering romance between Mr Erskine and Laura. This is described beautifully and the failings of the two main characters, as well as their good points, are shown to us. As India descends into turmoil we travel with the small group of people to Lucknow where they are beseiged, fight, suffer deprivations and illness, bereavement, all portrayed brilliantly".
Credit is owed to a UK reader who posted on Amazon- a better description than I can! Hard to find a way to summarize what will catch somebody's interest when there are 800 pages of story!
From England to India in the mid eighteen hundreds:
"Through this book we travel with Laura, Emily and Charles during their sea voyage to India, as they adjust to Indian life staying with various relatives as they work their way into India and then, as they meet Oliver Erskine and then stay with him in his estate, we watch the flowering romance between Mr Erskine and Laura. This is described beautifully and the failings of the two main characters, as well as their good points, are shown to us. As India descends into turmoil we travel with the small group of people to Lucknow where they are beseiged, fight, suffer deprivations and illness, bereavement, all portrayed brilliantly".
Credit is owed to a UK reader who posted on Amazon- a better description than I can! Hard to find a way to summarize what will catch somebody's interest when there are 800 pages of story!
I've read this book over and over again and each time I find something new. Ms. Fitzgerald brings you into her world with such descriptive writing. The story is exciting, sad and joyful all at the same time. Zemindar is one of my five all time favorites. What a wonderful reading experience.
A magnificient love story unfolds against a backdrop of exotic splendor and stirring deeds as young Englishwoman Laura Hewitt journeys to the East to the fabled fiefdom of the Zemindar, Guardian of the Earth. He is Oliver Erskine, herditary ruler of his private kingdom, commander of his own native army - and brother of the man she loves. Subject of Britain's Queen, but also a son of India, he walks the tightrope between treason to the Crown and betrayal of his own beloved land, A world both beautiful and dangerous, lit with splendor and torn by dispair. Challenged by Erskine to plumb to India's intermost secrets, Laura's quest puts her in thrall to Zemindar himself, arrogant and demanding, lustful and compassionate, tender and persuasive. He infuriates her, invades her soul-and claims her as his own, forcing her to confront her own divided loyalties, her own mutinous heart.
I read the book about three times! Loved it.
A magnificient love story unfolds against a backdrop of exotic splendor and stirring deeds as young Englishwoman Laura Hewitt journeys to the East -- and to teh fabled fiefdom of the Zemindar, Guardian of the Earth. He is Oliver Erskin, herditary ruler of his private kingdom, commander of his own native army - and brother of the man she loves. Subject of Britain's Queen, but also a son of India, he walks the tightrope between treason to the Crown and betrayak if his own beloved land. Challenging Laura to discover "the real India" he guides her through a world both beautiful and dangerous, lit with splendor and torn with despair.
I loved this book! I'd not known about it and it was mentioned as an 'all time classic' on the PBS Historical Fiction forum, so I ordered it. Very similar to MM Kaye's 'The Far Pavilions', only better, I think. Less romance, more history and reality. It focuses on the year, 1857, during which the Sepoy Rebellion took place in India and one Englishwoman's struggle not just to survive it, but to learn to love India despite her survival experience. It doesn't hurt that she's fallen for a native-born Englishman who is very much of the country, who provides the strong counterpoint to the traditional English colonization viewpoint. Long but very very worth it!
