Reviewed by Yvonne B.
I recently finished the novel “The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan. It is the story of Mehrunissa, a commoner, and Salim, the Prince (and later King) of the Mughal empire in India. Set in the 16th and 17th centuries, the characters are real and the events and time line are correct. Some details, however, and the thoughts and feelings of the characters, are added which reflect the author’s interpretation of the information found in her research of the era.
Mehrunissa is intelligent, educated and outspoken. She catches the eye of Prince Salim, who already has several wives, and they fall in love — but only after Mehrunissa is betrothed to another man. Years pass and though apart, their love endures. Mehrunissa manages to survive in an unhappy marriage. Salim covets his father’s position as Emperor and campaigns to assure his ascension to the throne.
I found the book interesting and exciting, as well as easy to follow. There is even a glossary at the end of the book for anyone wanting the translation of the most commonly used Indian words and a list of characters at the front of the book.
I was particularly struck by the author’s desire and ability to shed light on the humanity that survived during a time of power driven treachery and barbarism.
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