Any suggestions particularly those which deal with history of the sub-continent and middle east?
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Any suggestions particularly those which deal with history of the sub-continent and middle east?
I found Amit Ghosh's The Glass Palace quite interesting. I quite liked that it dealt with the presence and machinations of the British on the subcontinent and its aftermath but did not focus on the India/Pakistan angle as is usually the case with novels set on the subcontinent during this era.
The Glass Palace deviates from this and explores the British invasion of Burma and its aftermath as well as the neighbouring countries of India, specifically Bengal, and Malaya. The plot spans from the British invasion of Burma in 1885, through World War II to modern times.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Depends on what your reading it for --- historical facts/or cultural value.
For the latter, I find Khushwant Singh interesting. I loved his Train to Pakistan
Also- there was a book called City of Sin and Splender I can't remember the writer off hand but that was also very culturally rich.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Khushwant Singh's Delhi is a well written novel revolving around different eras in the history of the city. Would like to read something like 'Delhi'.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Have you read his I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale? It’s quite interesting as well. I agree with @~MuNiYa~](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/members/-muniya-.html) about Train to Pakistan.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
I started that novel, but couldn’t complete it. Probably, first few chapters were not attractive.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Also- there was a book called City of Sin and Splender I can't remember the writer off hand but that was also very culturally rich.
I've read this as well. As I recall, the author is Bapsi Sidhwa.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
I've read this as well. As I recall, the author is Bapsi Sidhwa.
Bipsi Sidhwa? She wrote a book on Lahore.. was that a novel?
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Bipsi Sidhwa? She wrote a book on Lahore.. was that a novel?
Yes, it's called City of Sin and Splendour. It's not a novel. I'm not certain how to describe it really. It's a collection of short stories, excerpts from novels and nonfiction compiled together, which discusses and appreciates the city of Lahore and its history.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Yes, it's called City of Sin and Splendour. It's not a novel. I'm not certain how to describe it really. It's a collection of short stories, excerpts from novels and nonfiction compiled together, which discusses and appreciates the city of Lahore and its history.
let me look for a pirated copy :p
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
let me look for a pirated copy :p
It's also not written entirely by her. It's compiled and edited by her and lists her as the editor.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
The lemon tree
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
The lemon tree
what is the historical background of this novel?
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
Sandy Tolan talks about his book The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew and the Heart of the Middle East. The account grew out of a 1998 NPR documentary in which Tolan reported on a friendship between a Palestinian man and an Israeli woman that served as an example of the region’s fragile history
‘The Lemon Tree’ Tells Mideast History Via Friendship : NPR]('The Lemon Tree' Tells Mideast History Via Friendship : NPR)
The author did extensive research to tell this tale and it is quite a heavy read but Def a good one.
Re: Novels based on historical incidents?
sounds interesting.