As I mentioned a week or so ago, I have joined Laura at a Circle of Pine Trees in the Year in Books challenge which you can find here. Basically we have to choose a book at the beginning of the month (a bit late in posting mine I'm afraid) and post about our choice and maybe write a little about last month's book. So - my choice for February is
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson, published in 2008
As I said before, as much as I love them, I'm trying to wean myself off historical novels, so this fits the criteria - well almost. Set in Autumn 1928, three young women are on their way to India, each with a new life in mind.
Rose, a beautiful but naive bride-to-be, is anxious about leaving her family and marrying a man she hardly knows.
Victoria her bridesmaid couldn't be happier to get away from her overbearing mother and determined to find her own husband.
Viva, their inexperienced chaperone is in search of the India of her childhood, ghosts from the past, and freedom.
Each of them has their own reason for leaving their homeland, but the hopes and secrets they carry can do little to prepare them for what lies ahead in India.
I chose this book as I was drawn to its location in India. We travelled to there five years ago for a ten day tour - known as the Golden Triangle where we visited Delhi, Jaipur and Agra (including the Taj Mahal)
At the end of the holiday we chose to tag on another five days to stay at the hill station of Simla, a beautiful old colonial town set high up in the foothills of the Himalayas which was once the official summer retreat for the British Raj.
It was wonderful - the people, the culture, the history and the magnificent landscapes.
Anyway - I digress
So you can see where I'm coming from with this book - I'm hoping to re-kindle some of the sights, sounds and smells of a fantastic trip with the added bonus that Viva herself travels to Simla too.
Anyway, last month's book Dissolution by C J Samson was definitely worth reading. I'm not a lover of crime novels but this had a slightly different edge to it as it was set in the era of the Reformation (which was right up my street so to speak). There are several others in the series which I would love to read - but for the moment will put them on the back burner for another time.
Thank you all for your comments on my last post and hope to catch up with you all very soon.
That sounds like a great book – I’ll make a note of it. My daughter’s husband is a first generation American since his parents are from the state of Kerala, in south India. His parents just went back to their home in December for a two month stay and they invited us, but it is so far. I also have too many books to read right now and still keep buying some when I found good second-hand deals … I just finished reading my 5th book on Russia, have another one almost finished and then can start reading on another subject. We have been told to stay indoors as another snow and ice storm is approaching – good time for reading.
ReplyDeleteI joined late as well, Patricia, it doesn't matter when you catch up! It took me ages to get the 'button' onto my blog, and I was bewildered trying to do the actual signing up to begin with. (Technophobe? Moi?!!) But I think on the whole it is going to be A Good Thing. Very interesting to see the choices other people make, and why. ANd don't worry, I am behind both blogging AND reading and commenting! it takes us like that now and then...... Lx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I had that book somewhere but I dont remember anything much about it now. I have never been to India but my eldest son has several times and loves it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very interesting story, and I love the cover of the book - speaking as someone who has been known to choose a book based on the cover!! xx
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful - I have fancied going to India ever since I watched the film The Exotic Marigold Hotel or whatever it was called but I think the heat would put me off. Your book choice sounds very interesting - another for my 'to be read' list.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a good book. Your trip to India must have been amazing. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy that book. I really like to learn about Indian culture. I would love to visit someday too, yours sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds very interesting, P, and your photos of India are beautiful. I have never been there, but would love to see those places, having become intrigued by the British Raj when watching Jewel in the Crown years ago. The book challenge looks good and I'm off to check it out. I'm also behind in reading and writing blogs - life gets hectic!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely book, so very interesting- I would love to go to India, It is definitely on my wish list:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book Patricia, I'll try to find through my library catalogue.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to go to India, these photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds so intetresting Patricia and just my "cup of tea" so I've been to the Library and
ReplyDeletegot a copy to read for my March book. I look forward to reading your review. If you like this
type of story have you read any of Noel Barber, as they are so similar. The first one is Tanamera.
luv
irene
xxxx
Hi Patricia - hope all's well down your way and the weather isn't causing too much havoc? Just to let you know that you've won the little bundle of CK goodies in my giveaway ( http://gillymakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/and-winner-is.html ) Yay! So please will you email me your postal address?
ReplyDeleteYour book choice sounds good - I need to download some new books to take away on my upcoming holiday and this one seems like my kind of read too, so thanks for the recommendation. Have a happy weekend, love Gilly xx
Your book sounds interesting and the potos from your trip are lovely! xx
ReplyDeleteI have read this book it is such a great read , it must be really special for you as you have all those wonderful sights and sounds you have been lucky too see. The book must just come alive for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia! I have missed our visiting each other and hope to be back in the rhythm of blogging once again.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds lovely. I think it must have really come to life in your mind having been to India. Your trip must have been amazing! I do a book challenge now each year through Goodreads.com. It really helps me to achieve more with my reading. This year, I have also decided to pick 4 books written in 1914 to read. I will be starting the first of them soon. I thought it would bring me in mind of a sense of the world 100 years ago.
Hugs from Holland,
Heidi
The book seems a good read and relates to your holiday in India. I'm reading Dilly Court books at the moment. She writes of the hard times in London in the Victorian times. I like her books as they are easy to read. Thank you very much for your lovely comment on my blog........xx
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteIndia is such a magical place, how lovely that you have had the opportunity to travel there and imbibe the atmosphere. No wonder that your book had such appeal. It is wonderful when memories are rekindled through reading.
For our own part, we always regard E M Forster's 'A Passage to India' as a definitive work on capturing the cultural traditions and differences of that most intriguing of countries.
Thank you for your warm welcome back comment. It is very much appreciated.
Having been to the place in which a book is set always adds to the atmosphere and enjoyment I think. I've now made a note of this for my library list, when I can manage to finish the books I already have on loan.
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