Book Review: The Twentieth Wife
76
Amazon.com
 | Amazon Price: $6.00 List Price: $16.00 |
About the book (My first hub)
The Twentieth Wife By Indu Sundaresan is my all-time favourite novel! This mesmerizing magnum opus takes readers on a roller coaster ride back to the 16th-17th century India at its height of Mughal monumental magnificence! The author had fashioned this melodramatic recital of clandestine and ardent romance between the dashing Mughal prince Salim, who went down the history lane as one of the most prominent Mughal emperors titled Jahangir, and the gorgeous woman named Mehrunnisa, who embarked upon an odyssey from a court-official's daughter to one of India's most powerful empresses, later known as Nurjahan; and their steady passion being entangled into a web of fate, manipulation, greed, and deceit; and their undying desires to reunite with each other, form the crux of this exotic story. This encyclopedia of intertwined facts and fiction gives readers a peep not only into the grandeur and opulence of the Mughal courts but also the spectacle of Indian culture, the richness of Mughal history and the conglomeration of politics and power.
This rollicking novel is a commanding read for historical-romance fiction aficionados!
My experience as a reader of The Twentieth Wife
A few years ago, while browsing through books in a book-store, the unusual title of this book caught my attention and I eagerly checked out its back-cover. To my excitement, I discovered that its plot is about Mughal romance in late-medieval India. I quickly purchased The Twentieth Wife and started reading it. For the next three days I was totally engrossed in this book. I relished every page of this book and read it five times! The way the author portrayed the characters, venues, emotions, events and consequences are so immaculate and realistic that it is like I am witnessing the real-life drama before me! The author has managed to lift up my imagination by executing this enchanting story in a strongly dramatic and filmi style. This book is not only entertaining but also taught me a great deal about how the Mughals ruled, their empire, their achievements, their traditions and customs; picturisation of India in 16th-17th century; the Indian society's views and status of women in Mughal India. I am still fascinated with Mehrunnisa/Nur Jahan, the main protagonist of this story - she was a strong woman with a modern outlook and managed to break the barriers of rigid Mughal culture; and though her intentions were veiled, it became obvious that she achieved her goal of becoming an empress of India due to her consistent patience and sheer determination! The Twentieth wife tops the list of my most favourite novels. I recommended this book to my friends and relatives. On my recommendation, they either bought the book or borrowed this book from me and they enjoyed and cherished this priceless book as much as I did!
About the author
Indu Sunderesan is a prolific Indian-American author whose literary work has been well received by both readers and literary critics alike. Apart from her brilliant debut novel, The Twentieth Wife, she also wrote The Feast of Roses, the much awaited and equally-well acclaimed sequel to the Twentieth Wife; The Splendour of Silence, In The Covent of Little Flowers and more recently, Shadow Princess to complete the Taj Mahal Trilogy (along with The Twentieth Wife and The Feast of Rose).
To know more of this author and her work, visit her site: www.indusundaresan.com/
Awards and accolades
This debut novel earned several rave reviews from fans and literary critics alike. This novel was hailed by many prestigious publishing houses, renowned authors and the well-known press as one of the most captivating novels ever written by a debutante author. This book by Indu Sundersan won the Washington State award in 2003.
For more related information, visit indusundaresan.com
( C ) Copyrights By Ishwaryaa Dhandapani
 | Amazon Price: $1.09 List Price: $15.00 |
Other books by Indu Sundaresan on Amazon
 | Amazon Price: $1.99 List Price: $15.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.05 List Price: $15.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.69 List Price: $15.00 |
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This sounds like a great book... and I love books that totally engross you to the point that you can read them over and over and still enjoy them. Glad you found a book like this that you love so much. I will definately have to check this book out! :) Thanks for the recommendation!
@ pongogirl2: Thank you for the visit and your encouraging comments. It is a crisply written and racy page turner! Hope you enjoy this book. Take care.
@ Neetaur: Hi. Thank you for visiting again and your encouraging comments. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Take care.
@ Docmo: Hi. Nice to hear that you are interested in reading books. This author wrote engaging historical novels. This book is enrapturing and dramatically entertaining! Hope you enjoy this book. Please let me know after you are done with this book. I have heard of Jhumpa Lahiri and her established work, esp The Namesake. Thank you for the visit and sharing your interesting views. Take care.
Sounds like a great book:) now i'm eager and courious to read it:)
Nice hub...after reading your hub, now I surely want to read this book. Thanks for sharing! :)
@ Nell Rose: Hi. Look like we shared similiar tastes in books. This book is a real page-turner. Full of romance, intrigue and drama! Hope you like this book. Once you finish reading this book, please let me know. Take care.
This is great ishwaryaa, I'm always looking to discover new authors. this is someone I haven't come across before and the book sounds interesting and highly readable. Thanks. Another Indo-american author I truly love is Jhumpa lahiri. She is sensational.
Hi, This sounds like a wonderful book, and its also the type that I like. I am definitely going to give it a read, thanks for Sharing! votes, and shared, nell
@ Global-Chica: Hi. Nice to hear that you had visited Rajasthan and liked Mughal influence on India. I too visited it and it was wonderful. I have not read Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Flourence. I honestly admit that I like light and racy books and The Twentieth Wife falls in this category. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your engaging views and your story about your Indian trip. Once you finish the Twentieth Wife, please let me know. Take care.
@ Peggy W: Hi, thank you for the visit and encouraging comments. I loved this book and decided to share my views regarding this enchanting novel with many fellow-hubbers. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Take care.
Oooh I want to read this book! Ever since I visited Rajasthan two years ago, I've been mesmerized by the Mughal influence on India. I read Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence right after I came back from India. I loved that book! Have you read it?
I am impressed that this was your very first hub. Well done! You have made this book titled The Twentieth Wife intriguing and I am sure more sales have been and will be generated because of your review. I'll add it to my reading list. Voted up, interesting and will SHARE.
@ thumbi7: Thank you for visiting & encouraging comments.
@ thumbi7: This is an amazing book that brought back alive the Mughal era thanks to this author's inimitable story-telling.
Both the author of the book and the back cover are stunningly beautiful.
Must find this book to read
Thanks for SHARING
@Ruchira: Thank u for reading this review. Hope this review is helpful to you.
the review looks good...ishwaryaa22. thanks for enlightening me!
gotta check out this book...thanks!
@ Millionaire Tips: Thank u for visiting. Yes, i read the Feast of Roses and The Shadow Princess in the Taj Mahal Trilogy. They are quite good yet the Twentieth Wife is the best of this trio. Glad this review is helpful to u.
It is an intriguing title, and after reading your review, I must be sure to find this book and red it. Have you read the other books in the trilogy?
@ tarajeyaram: Thank u so much. I am honoured by your encouraging comments. I am sure you enjoy this interesting book as much as I did! Happy Reading and Hubbing!
Ishwaryaa22 - I have to read the book after reading your book review. I got this book as a birthday gift. Thank you for writing such a good review. I have posted this hub on My Favorite Hubs for the Week - Jan 22. Keep writing excellent hubs.
@quildon: Thank u. Good to know that this review is informative to u!
The title of the book really grabbed me. I'd never heard of this book before. Your review has made me want to read it. Nice job!
@ Vinaya Ghimire: Thank u. As you are a reader of Mughal historical fiction, this book will add more to your knowledge of Mughal india and also peak up ur interest with its dramatic storyline and political intrigue. Glad to know that this review is helpful to u.
I have read some fascinating historical fictions about Mughal Empire. But I have not read this book. I hope to read this in near future.
@ Claudia Tello: Thank u. Glad my review is useful to u.
Sounds interesting, I will add the Twentieth Wife to my book list.
@ Deborah Brooks: Thank u
This is awesome thank you for sharing.. I cant wait to read it. You really did a excellent job with this..
Merry Christmas
I voted up and awesome
Thanks ishwaryaa22. I still have a lot to learn. Am just a writer wannabee. Hahaha! Am definitely gonna find that book! Thanks for introducing such lovely piece of artwork to all of us!
@ the singernurse: This Book is written in English. This book is a pageturner and i am sure you'll enjoy this book! Thank u and i am confident that u will be an inspiring & commanding writer! You Already Proved your mettle in your hub 'A walk to Remember'! Way to Go!.
I was intrigued with the title myself. And I don't actually have to research on the plot because I am confident that Indian literature is one-of-a-kind. Is it written in your native language? I hope I can come across such book if it happens to be written in English. Nice hub. You should be a periodic book or literature reviewer and critic!
Am not much of the bookworm but recently, I decided to do book reviews my own way because I would like to document each novel that I finish reading. If you have the time, you could check out my book review blog THE PAPERBACK REVIEWER http://www.thepaperbackreviewer.blogspot.com/ along with its first entry. :)
Keep up the great job!
@dinkan53: thank u.
@dinkan53: thank u.
Never heard about this author and about Twentieth Wife, thanks for introducing the book and the author. Got interested on this book and will try to get it. You got nice writing style and will wait for your future publications. Welcome to Hubpages community, good start, keep going and good luck.
@ premsingh: thank u.
I am very impressed with your writing skills and talent. I rate your debut hub as a good quality hub.
@ glassvisage & wheelinallover: thank u.
Welcome to HubPages! Great information and thank you for sharing your review as well as information about the author. I always think that adds some positive insight for a review.
ishwaryaa22 now I feel I know you. This is what it is about. I also saw that you used keywords and phrases which tied to the subject matter of the book. In my estimation you are going to be a great asset to hub pages. Now I am really looking forward to seeing more of your work.
@ mathira: Thank u
Good hub and made me want to read the novel.
@ wheelinallover: Now i understood your point. Once again thank u for ur helpful tips.
Adding the authors biography was a great touch. My question now is where are you? I still see nothing about you as a person. How do you feel about this book? What point did the author make that touched you as a person? Do you want people following the author or you?
Although I am not a college graduate I have been mentoring college students for years. Every published article, blog, and enzine article let the reader see a little of me as a person or me as a corporate Ceo. People follow me because they feel they know me. This is something you should consider. This is even recommended for business communication which is one of the college courses I mentor.
I like your work. I still would like to see your feelings about what you read.
@ wheelinallover: Thank u for your valuable advice!
Very well written, a little on the short side. If you take a little while to flesh is out with your feelings on the book this will both make it longer and give the readers a little insight as to how you feel about what you read. It has been my experience that "people follow people." What you want the for reader to connect with you as a human being.
I own a corporation, we found that using my photograph and personal information about me as a human being worked better than corporate branding, at least when we started.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
![Contributions of Mughal Empire to Indian Union: [Part-I]](http://s4.hubimg.com/u/5026491_50.jpg "Contributions of Mughal Empire to Indian Union: [Part-I]")
ishwaryaa22 Hub Author 3 weeks ago
@ barbergirl28: Hi, this is a real page-turner that you find yourself continuously reading this engrossing book till the last page! I enjoyed reading this book 5 times! My few relatives and friends liked this book a lot! Please let me know after you bought and read this book. Take care.