Trishankupune recommended The Far Pavilions to me. I enjoy historical fiction and I haven’t read many books about India so The Far Pavilions sounded intriguing. Plus, I had a paperback copy of The Far Pavilions on my shelf for years. M. M. Kaye sets her novel in British Raj in India. She shows the sweep of cultures, religions, beliefs–and the conflicts that result. Kaye lived in India and knows what she’s writing about.
The British military is under stress. Change is in the air. Kaye also presents situations where chaste and religious beliefs separate people who the reader will want to get together. She tells her story through a character who was raised in the Indian culture for his first 11 years. Then, he’s sent back to England for schooling, and returns to serve on the frontier. When he accompanies a wedding party, he discovers his first love. Then things really get complicated!
After I read the novel, I watched The Far Pavilions DVD series (also on my shelf for years). The five-hour series was first broadcast in the States on HBO with Ben Cross, Amy Irving, Christopher Lee, Omar Sharif, and John Gielgud. The mini-series tries to capture the scope of the massive novel, but many of the novel’s subplots never make it on film. The film is a blend adventure, action, and romance. As it tells its story, the film offers a window into aspects of colonial India that I knew nothing about. If you’re a history buff, or want to learn more about India, I highly recommend The Far Pavilions, both the novel and the mini-series. Thanks for the recommendation, Trishankupune! GRADE: A
Have never read the book or seen the series but it looks well worth pursuing.
Patti, THE FAR PAVILIONS is one of those epic novels few seem to be able to write anymore. THE FAR PARVILIONS was an international best seller and the mini-series garnered quite an audience.
I must admit I’ve never read the book but I have seen the mini-series. I thought Amy Irving was odd casting to say the least but she looked great. I’ve never had a lot of success (my fault, undoubtedly) reading these epic books set in India. I did read A PASSAGE TO INDIA years ago but since then I always seem to have trouble getting into big books.
Jeff, Bill Crider isn’t a fan of 1000-page books now, either. I’m with you on Amy Irving. Looked great, but stuck out from the other Indian women in every scene.
I have not read the book but remember quite enjoying the old fashioned feel of the TV show, though it was pretty ‘retro’ even then!
Sergio, you’re right about the mini-series version of THE FAR PAVILIONS being “retro.” It had the look and feel of a 1950s movie.
I read FAR PAVILIONS so many years ago I’ve forgotten when, but sometime prior to 1982. My mother had read it and liked it a lot and she pitched it to me, so I gave it a try. All I remember is that it’s a heavy (hardback) big, thick, long saga of India. I’m glad – though slightly surprised – that you liked it, since it’s as much a romance novel as an historical. Right now I’m done with these thick books for a while. That 2,850 pages of Inheritance Cycle about did me in.
Rick, I know what you mean. I remember reading George R. R. Martin’s A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series–over 3,000 pages. I needed a break from Big Fat Books after that. As you might suspect, I was more interested in the depictions of life in India than the romance, although that was moving.
Thank you George. I am glad you enjoyed it. I was bowled over when I read it for the first time way back in the mid eighties.
Trishankupune, it seems like plenty of people were bowled over by THE FAR PAVILIONS because it became an international best seller. Copies could be found easily here in used bookstores and thrift stores. India is a mysterious country to most Americans who don’t know much about other countries (we’re basically an isolationist country despite all the ill-advised international adventures of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries). I appreciate your recommendation of THE FAR PAVILIONS. I feel I have a better understanding of your country now.
Just thought that I’ll refer an of beat piece of literature that I just finished reading. It’s a book called Atlantic’ by Simon Winchester. Let me know if you’ve got around to reading it.
Trishankupune, I have Simon Winchester’s ATLANTIC on my Read Real Soon stack.
Good to know that you have this on your list. Since the last time we corresponded, I’ve read up on a comparative biography of Hitler and Stalin. The book is named ‘Hitler and Stalin Parallel Lives’ by Allan Bullock. The Hitlerian part of the story is more or less a repeat of Bullock’s ‘Hitler – A Study in Tyranny’. What makes the book truly intriguing is the way it brings out the close similarities in the two men in a lot of things.
Trishankupune, I’ve read HITLER: A STUDY IN TYRANNY. Allan Bullock’s book is fascinating. I’ll find a copy of HITLER & STALIN. You make it sound intriguing!
Pardon me but this is thicker than The Far Pavilions. I am keen to know what you think about The Cairo Trilogy. One more book I had picked up last month was a wonderful description of the First World War as fought by the Ottomans called The Fall of the Ottomans by Eugene Rogan. While it is a description of the war in the Middle East, it also gives a vivid description of the duplicity of the British and the French imperial governments that has led to the chaos and confusion that still exists in that part of the world. It also contains a pretty accurate description of the Armenian genocide.
Trishankupune, I’ll have plenty of time to read in a couple of months when I begin my Retirement. I look forward to reading THE CAIRO TRILOGY. And I think I have a copy of THE FALL OF THE OTTOMANS by Eugene Rogan around here somewhere.
Retirement is a time when one can finally get around doing what one likes to do. I am sure your blog will become more informative and interesting then since you obviously are keenly interested in books. Look forward to your comments on the Ottoman book.