Three Continents [Hardcover]

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1987

A heroine whose passion leads her to a road of self-destruction sets off on an idealistic quest--following a would-be world leader who promises a better future for everyone . . . at a terrible price.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though now widely known for her screenplay of A Room with a View, Jhabvala's literary reputation still rests on her subtle fiction grounded in psychological authenticity. This long novel, set in New York, London and India, is a penetrating psychological study of a young woman generously endowed with breeding and money but starved of self-esteem and purpose. Jhabvala describes the emotional seduction of Harriet Wishwell by the members of a fanatic religious sect, the Fourth World Movement, as well as her physical seduction by one of its leaders. Harriet and her homosexual twin brother Michael are equally drawn to charismatic Crishi, who marries Harriet for the huge inheritance she'll receive on her 21st birthday. Crishi and his cohorts are swindlers and dope pushers, activities they hide behind the movement's pious facade. Jhabvala's evocation of their smarmy appeal is a masterpiece of its kind, as is her portrayal of the restlessness of young people searching for an emotional haven. But Harriet's innocence, credulity and passivity are too broadly drawn; the reader becomes exasperated, wanting to shake sense into her obtuse brain. As Harriet and Michael are used, abused and humiliated, mulcted of their money and their self-respect, the narrative becomes tedious, and the ending is sadly predictable.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Michael and Harriet Wishwell are soulmates as well as twins. Born into wealth and privilege, they are seeking something higher in life. Their youthful idealism leads them to the Rawul, a guru whose Fourth World movement is working for "one world where everyone is united and no more wars." Unbeknownst to them, financial problems have forced the movement to raise capital illegally. Now movement leaders anxiously await the twins' 21st birthday so that they can commandeer the Wishwell inheritance. Harriet's passive acceptance of the situation ultimately causes her to forsake her brother. Set in New York, London, and India, this is a work of passion and obsession by the noted German-Indian novelist and screenwriter. In this ambitious undertaking she effectively evokes the climate of a movement but fails to create sympathetic characters. Kimberly G. Allen, Supreme Court Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (August 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688071848
• ISBN-13: 978-0688071844
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,460,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An assured voice, September 19, 2001

By 

2mille "2mille" (Renton, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Continents (Paperback)

I have now read 2 books by Jhabvala, "Three Continents" and "Heat and Dust." Her relation of details is consistently clear and inviting; almost journalistic in its simplicity. Believe me, I have read a good heap of fiction from and about India, and Jhabvala's precise simplicity and focus on character development (rather than focusing on the reader's understanding of antiquated local customs or Indian mannerisms or terms -- sorry, Paul Scott, but you drove me nuts!) makes her works universal and appealing. Here is a coming-of-age tale, an Indian Peter Pan with a chilling twist: thanks to their involvements with a svengaliesque trio of sophisticated cult leaders, a pair of young, very rich English twins misses their chance to grow up. Jhabvala's mastery of the million and one ways in which one human being can manipulate another had this reader shopping for her cues -- for descriptions of touches, glances, smiles, shadows between the three cult leaders and their captives, young Harriet and Michael. I found myself suffering narrator Harriet's dilemma: am I being teased? Flirted with? Is he sincere? What is really going on in this room? What is this disagreement really about? Also, please don't read the end of this book right before you go to sleep -- because you won't sleep if you do, trust me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling and frightening, October 5, 2001

By 

moonstealer (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Continents (Paperback)

This was the first book I read by this author (although I loved the movie version of her other book "Heat and Dust") and I was impressed by her ability to hold my attention consistently as I read this book. We've all heard about spiritual cults, about the kind of people who lead them and the other kinds of people who fall for them, but this was the first time I got a good idea of what goes on in their heads and the kind of lies people tell others and themselves. I had trouble putting this book down even though I really did not like the main characters at all. I give the book 4 stars because the end left me terribly disappointed but then again, I do not like weak female characters at all, even if I understand how they got to be that way (had bad parents, got spoilt, etc). This book really haunted me and even freaked me out a bit after I put it down so that says a lot for this author being able to touch a chord in my soul. I consider myself an avid, discerning reader so this is not something every author can do.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Like watching a car headed towards a cliff, December 20, 2010

By 

Gigi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Continents (Paperback)

I enjoyed the book for the writing style, level of detail, and ability to hold my interest. Within a short amount of time, the reader can easily guess what will happen. I kept waiting for some sort of twist, but the protagonists never seem to get that they are being drawn into a web of deceit. I never developed any sympathy towards any of the characters. During the last 30 pages or so, I found myself skimming the pages. I wanted to get it over with. Overall, it's an ok book.