Historical novel set around ENGLAND (Birmingham)
GIVEAWAY – 3 top titles to transport you to INDIA
6th February 2022
We are delighted to offer 3 top titles to transport you to India. Novels that will immerse you in the culture and landscape.
The Tainted by Cauvery Madhavan
It’s spring 1920 in the small military town of Nandagiri in southeast India. Colonel Aylmer, commander of the Royal Irish Kildare Rangers, is in charge. A distance away, decently hidden from view, lies the native part of Nandagiri with its heaving bazaar, reeking streets, and brothels. Everyone in Nandagiri knows their place and the part they were born to play–with one exception. The local Anglo-Indians, tainted by their mixed blood, belong nowhere. When news of the Black and Tans’ atrocities back in Ireland reaches the troops, even their priest cannot cool the men’s hot-headed rage. Politics vie with passion as Private Michael Flaherty pays court to Rose, Mrs. Aylmer’s Anglo-Indian maid, but mutiny brings heroism and heartbreak in equal measure. Only the arrival of Colonel Aylmer’s grandson Richard, some 60 years later, will set off the reckoning, when those who were parted will be reunited, and those who were lost will be found again.
The Mission House by Carys Davies
Fleeing the dark undercurrents of contemporary life in Britain, Hilary Byrd takes refuge in Ooty, a hill station in South India. There he finds solace in life’s simple pleasures, travelling by rickshaw around the small town with his driver Jamshed and staying in a mission house beside the local presbytery where the Padre and his adoptive daughter Priscilla have taken Hilary under their wing.
The Padre is concerned for Priscilla’s future, and as Hilary’s friendship with the young woman grows, he begins to wonder whether his purpose lies in this new relationship. But religious tensions are brewing and the mission house may not be the safe haven it seems.
The Mission House boldly and imaginatively explores post-colonial ideas in a world fractured between faith and non-belief, young and old, imperial past and nationalistic present. Tenderly subversive and meticulously crafted, it is is a deeply human fable of the wonders and terrors of connection in a modern world.
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.
Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…
Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.
HOW TO ENTER
- You need to be a member of TripFiction. Simply go to www.tripfiction.com and scroll down to the JOIN NOW tab. And we do check!
- Let’s chat India! What would you like to see on a trip to India? Do you have any favourite must see places? Have you been???
Enter by midnight, 19th February 2022 and the three winners will be chosen at random. Open internationally!
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Sand9 is the winner
I’ve never been to India but I think it would be wonderful to visit the Taj Mahal
What a varied and fascinating country it is. Not been but have read many books set in various eras of that continent.
As a little girl, I have a sketchy memory of an old black and white movie – maybe a scene from The Elephant Boy – of a wide shot across a vacant, paved courtyard looking toward a fort. From that moment, I’ve sought out exotic places such as Zanzibar and Sri Lanka, but not yet India where I would love to explore widely. I can take the first step of a thousand foot journey by reading stories of India before I am able to travel once again (have lived behind a closed border in Western Australia for the past two years and am desperate to travel once more). I would love to win the Indian book package!
I’ve never been but would love to visit an old tea plantation in the hills x
Has to be the Taj Mahal
I would love to see the Ghanges and the Taj Mahal, as well as really embracing the food and culture!
I’d love to visit Kerala
I would love to see the Himalayas, the Gange, markets and experience the hustle and bustle of everyday life
I would love to see the Taj Mahal
No, I’ve never been to India, but would love to visit one day. I ‘d especially like to see the Taj Mahal and the Wind Palace in Jaipur..so many spectacular places in this beautiful Country
i would love to visit Wildlife SOS in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh where they have Elephant conservation & care. Such wonderful work they do for one of natures most beautiful creatures.
I would like to see Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and The Golden City, as I love architecture.
I’ve never been to India but I’d love to visit Kanha National Park to spot some big cats in the wild.
Would love to go if my stomach was up to it! I think it would overwhelm all the senses
looks awesome
I would like to see the wildlife.
Goa and Kerela
Would love to go anywhere in India.
Brilliant culture and people!
The colours of India
Would love to visit Kolkata where our nephew’s wife’s family were from originally. We were unable to attend their Indian wedding ceremonies due to commitments here, but our family who were able to go were made so welcome.
Not been but love to see Taj Mahal one day
Would have to be Mumbai if I was ever lucky enough to go!
The Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, it’s been on my wishlist for years.
Luckily am a regular traveller to India. My 2 favourite places are full of contrasts: Kolkata, location of the infamous ‘black hole’ and stuffed to the gills with Raj-era Victorian architecture: and Ponidcherry, the only French outpost, laid-back and elegant, and close to Auroville set up by The Mother.
India is on my bucket list. I definitely want to see the Taj Mahal. I understand India is a very diverse country and although the major cities are inviting I’d also like to go off the beaten track. I’ve been to Sri – Lanka 3 times, the earliest back in 1980 and loved the village life.
Finally found it.
I’ve been to India for a short period and have seen the Taj Mahal.
I’d like to return to the south – Goa in particular.
Have never visited this wonderfully diverse and colourful country, however I have several Goan friends who make their small corner of the country sound idyllic. They also recommend Mumbai as a good cultural experience and I guess that as a ‘newbie’ traveller, no trip would be complete without getting to see the Taj Mahal!
Would definitely have to pick the coolest time of year (if there really is such a thing) and the least humid, so that walking some of the more well-used trails, wouldn’t be so tiring!
Three lovely books! 🙂
I’ve visited India, spending a few days each in Shimla, Jaipur and Mumbai – I loved all three, such very different places and all fascinating.
Yes, I’ve been to India – wonderful country. Favourite sight was the Taj Mahal. We spent half the time in the nature reserves viewing the animals and birds. Would love to go back one day.
If I were to revisit India, I would like to go back to Cochin, where I spent a very happy 26th birthday, back in 1983!
I would also like to visit Pondicherry (Puducherry), a former French colony, and Ladakh and Sikkim!
Unfortunately, I don’t think my legs are up to trekking now (not that they ever really were!).
I’ve never been but I’m told it’s a country full of beautiful landscapes and larger than life people. I’m fascinated by the rich, vibrant colours of the country. A jewel to behold.
I have never been, I would love to visit Goa though x
Visited Mumbai once for work but would LOVE to do a full tour. The hill stations I’ve read about in novels, the wonderful coasts.
I haven’t been but I would like to see the Amer Fort in Jaipur