THE HEAT OF THE ROMANCE…THE DUST OF ITS ASHES…, August 9, 2002| By | Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) – See all my reviews   |
„This is a well-written book that explores Anglo-Indian relations through the power of romance. Set in two distinct eras, colonial India of the nineteen twenties, during the time of the Raj, and the independent, freewheeling India of the seventies, during the time when India was a mecca for disenfranchised youth, it tells the story of two women.
One story is that of Olivia, the wife of a minor district official in colonial India, who in 1923 caused great scandal by running off with the Nawab, a local Indian prince. Divorced by her husband, Douglas, for this scandalous transgression, Olivia remains in India, while Douglas remarries. The second story is that of the narrator, a descendant of Douglas and his second wife. During the nineteen seventies, fascinated by the story of the now deceased Olivia, she goes to India, visiting those locations where Olivia had lived and those that would have been a part of her existence at the time. As did Olivia, she falls under India’s spell. As did Olivia, she, too, has an Anglo-Indian love affair, and picks up where Olivia left off, giving the reader a powerful sense of de-ja vu.
The book is a beguiling story of two women from two different generations who come under the spell of India. The book is evocative of British colonial India, as well as of India of the nineteen seventies. During both eras, Anglo-Indian relations are pivotal to the budding romances. The book is evocative of the rhythms of Indian life in all its richness and tumultuousness, as well as its lingering poverty and superstitions. It is redolent of a time gone by and hopeful of what is to come. It is also an interesting dichotomy of the good and bad in both cultures, Anglo and Indian, and the influence that both cultures have on these two women, who are so different, yet so alike.
This is a book that whets the appetite, leaving the reader wanting more than the author is prepared to give. It is, nonetheless, a book well worth reading. The book was also made into a Merchant Ivory film starring Julie Christie and Greta Scacchi that is well worth watching. „
Generally I totally agree with this review. I think it’s important to tell something about the plot first, to let the reader know what you’re writing about. In fact, first she describes the Anglo-Indian relations represented by a romance in this novel. Besides she mentions also the 2 women, Olivia and the narrator, who almost live the same biography, separated by 50 years. As she says, both finish in the mountains, what causes a déjà-vu for the reader.
The reviewer adds also that there’s not only the almost identic love story of the 2 women, but that in this novel you lern a lot about Colonial British India in the 1920’s and the 70’s. She mentions also the importance of the relationship between Englishs and Indians, which during the period of 50 years has changed very much.
Furthermore, I accord to the reviewer’s opinion, that the book doesn’t offer all the information you really want to know, but still is worth reading.
The only thing I maybe wouldn’t have added is that also a film was played about this book, because this doesn’t fit into a book review.
But all in all I found it very felicitous.
My new blog focuses on a book called Heat and Dust written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.