Customer Reviews

Raj: A Novel

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

 

 

I was drawn to this book by the period of time it covered, and because I am very interested in British history. I was further drawn by its historical depth, covering many events that very few Westerners outside of Britain have any knowledge of. I found little bias because it seemed there were two groups of main characters: those who were in support of royal India and those Indians and Angrez (British) who were in support of the Raj.

I somewhat agree with the prevailing criticism that the characterisation is a bit thin, but if you are reading this for its historical significance (as I did) as opposed to its literary worth, then it really shouldn't matter very much.

Overall, it is very well written book that examines the relationship between the maharajahs of royal India and the British Raj through the eyes of an Indian princess. In the vein of Rutherfurd's "Sarum" and "London," but not as broad and long-winded.

I enjoyed reading the "Raj". It is an impressive price of historical fiction that covers a very eventful period of Indian history. Mehta did an execellent job of painting a vivid and entertaining picture of Rajput kingdoms during the British rule in India. I was however, disappointed by the one dimentionality of the characters. The kings by and large seemed to fall into the stereotypical pleasure loving, wealth squandering lot that were obsessed with somehow hanging onto thier thrones. While this may be an accurate description of most of them, it would have been good to depict one or two positive aspects of the royals, if any! Jaya Devi's long suffering Indian princess character also sadly lacked dimentionality and did not evoke much sympathy or respect. I was also a little bit disappointed with the later part of the book that dealt with events leading upto the Indian indenpendence. It seemed a little rushed and I wish the author spent more time in describing the characters of the freedom fighters better. However, given the complexity of highly eventful period with the British, the Indian royalty and the freedom fighters, the author did a good job telling a compelling and educative narrative. On the whole, a recommended read.

This novel reads as a chronicle, not only of Princess Jaya's life, but also of an India in transformation from the late 1800s up through the early years following Independence in 1947.

I enjoyed reading this book and found Princess Jaya to be a remarkable woman. She weathers a lot of trying experiences and shows herself to be resilient.

The only fault I found with the novel, however, was in the sequencing of historical events. For instance, some of what the author stated about the placing of some events during the First World War were not accurate. When I read a historical novel, I get a better appreciation for the novel when the historical events it describes are true and placed in the proper sequences. Perhaps for some other readers, that matters little. But for me, that took away from me giving this novel 5 stars.

An immature attempt at weaving a historical saga with the backdrop of british rule and the indian royal families. The prose is very average , at times worse than the average romance paperbacks. Jaya Devi the heroine is completely uni dimensional, who suffers, sacrifices and succeeds. This book is clearly targetted at the western readers, its descriptions of the zenana, indian customs reminds one of the "cultural inculcation" provided by 5 star hotels in India to the western tourists. Clearly a let down from the author of Karma Cola

This was a fascinating portrait of a fascinating land. I agree with other reviewers that the characterizations were two-dimensional, however, I wasn't drawn in by the characterization of individuals peopling the story, but rather, the characterization of womankind in the period of pre-independence Indian monarchy. For that alone, it was an easy, enjoyable, interesting and worthwhile read.

I have been fortunate enough to travel in India. This book really describes the customes of such fascinating country within a period in which India looks forward to reach its independence. If you have been in India this book will bring to your mind aspects of such country and people that you probably have forgotten and it is deligthfull to remember!!. On the other hand, if you have not been in India, this book will transport you to the exotic places, foods, palaces, customes, saris, women, climate and even the wonderful spice and incence sticks aromas and exotic food flavours that you may experience while visiting such country. If India is indeed an exotic country, this book is exotic enough to make you wish been there.

A very enjoyable and enlightening read. A historical novel with a wealth of detail, capturing the flavour of life during a pivotal time in India's history. Key moments are woven into the story, with careful attention given to the impact on the people and the feelings each event generated. This novel stays well away from the common pitfall of historical novels, that of applying modern morals and ethics to history, this story has an authentic ring throughout. A wonderful introduction to the impact of the British rule and Independence on the Indian life at all levels. It is a novel, not a detailed historical treatise, but it does an excellent job of highlighting areas that might be interesting for further research.

I read this while traveling in India. Being in the country truly brought the book alive as I felt it helped me to not only understand what I was seeing in this vast country of such an extraordinary culture but to "feel" as if I was transported to that time.

The Maharajahs of India have been relegated to a minor footnote in both history and literature. This bestseller attempts to remedy that by telling the story of Jaya Devi, the daughter of the Maharajah of one kingdom who marries the Prince of another. Beautifully descriptive and evocative, the book is nevertheless rather disappointing as it never really gets off the ground. All the characters but Jaya appear flat and one-dimensional and, even more frustrating, Jaya herself never really grows up. We are left with an apology for India's imperial past, one that is lovingly and touchingly told but one that fails to seriously explore the issues. And when time rolls on and the tumult of Indian partition erupts, Jaya and her story fade far into the background. Mehta's narrative stutters through a cursory listing of events with little emotional impact. This Gone with the Wind of India's princely kingdoms could have done with a good editor. I encourage all those interested in India's past to read it, I just decry the lack of better alternatives.

Raj is simply the best novel I have ever read by an Indian writer. Gita is very successful in portraying her intellectual, historical, emotional and fansitical abilities. I love Gita for this novel.