Customer Reviews

A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book gives a detailed picture of personal life of Maharani Gayatri Devi. Kind of gave me more thoughts on how the India could have evolved had it been not given to the hands of Nehru(subsequently to Indira Gandhi). The book has details of early childhood, adolecense, after marriage and post independance aspects of the life of Gayatri Devi.

I think the book needs a updated version, with one or 2 chapters dedicated towards her life in 80's and 1990's. This is one of the best auto-biographies I have ever read.

A must read for some one interested in Indian history just before and after independance; also for folks interested in dwelling into royal lifestyles.

A Princess Remembers is a terrific book for anybody who wants to understand India--what it was, what it is, and how it has made the very bumpy journey from then to now. Not only does it give a very good glimpse of the system of Maharahas that once ran the country, but because Gayatri Devi served in the Indian Parliament, it provides a fascinating window on the triumphs and pitfalls of an emerging democracy. The Maharani has lived a life that reaches from the not-so-old days of Purdah--when a princess was not free to show her face in public when men were present--through the jet-set world of a more modern, educated royalty, to the productive (and not-so-productive) era of state and world politics. Her life reflects, from a high mirror, the tremendously complicated life of her beloved state of Jaipur and her country, and as such, it definitely deserves to be read. But her story also explains much for those of us who have traveled to India and marveled at the forts and the grand palace hotels, and even, perhaps, met scions of the old ruling families. The picture of India that a traveler forms is not truly coherent without literature about the Maharajas. This book provides a rare, personal, readable, non-scholarly source, a vital piece of the enormously complex puzzle that is today's India.

Susan O'Neill, author, Don't Mean Nothing: Short Stories of Vietnam

This story is enjoyable because it's her real life and it opens up a priveledged world most of us never get to see. It's pleasure reading and it's escape reading. There is nothing ground breaking or earth shattering here but maybe that's the point. It's an open look at a life that didn't turn out exactly as expected but was lived with joy and appreciation. You get to experience her grace and her zest. I liked it, I've even kept my copy but I doubt I'll be pulling it out to read again any time soon.

I read this book while on the road in India. It was a wonderful find and a great companion on those long road trips between cities. Jaipur is a marvelous city. Of course it has changed, as have many of the great cities in India. I was able to get a glimpse of the beauty that was before the great shift in politics changed the look of India forever. Historic accounts were told simplistically with a perspective and emotion not found in ordinary text books. I thank the Maharani for her wonderful images and delightful accounts.

I read this book over a span of 2 days, which leads me to conclude that the prose and sequencing are comparable to any best seller fiction. For a person born in independet India, it was fascinating to read about the jet setting lifestyles of the royals 80 years ago. The author has a selective memory and chooses to speak about the non-controversial aspects of royal living, which was immensely enjoyable. However I wish she had devoted some more pages on the cultural differences between Cooch Behar & Jaipur, for instance what language did she use to communicate with her husband , his other wives....english?? How did she adjust to the lifestyle in post independence India.

This is a beautifully written story about the life and tremendous achievements of an Indian Princess. She writes about her ambitions and how she manages to achieve them......as well as details probably the most romantic love story in the history of the Indian princely families.

This book isn't easy to find but was sent promptly and in great condition even the gold on the pages was intact. I was happy with the experience.

the book arrived in perfect conditions.
I was told delievery would be in a month but got here in 4 days!
Fantastic!

This book arrived quickly and in the condition it was described... very nice and suitable for a gift. Thank you.

A good read especially if you go to India. It came quick from Amazon and at a very reasonable price.