The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have long been a fan of M. M. Kaye’s books and had an opportunity to re-read this one, as it recently became available in e-book form. I had forgotten how beautiful a book it is. The author’s experience living in India gives the book a ring of authenticity. The book is a lengthy one and traces each main character’s back story before pulling all of the disparate threads together in one story. And what a story! The main character is Ash Pelhem-Martyn, who is pulled in two directions as a member of the British upper class who grew up thinking he was Indian. The author is knowledgeable about Indian life and customs and interweaves the romance with the British rule in India and Afghanistan. The novel has an epic narrative sweep without the sensationalism that often accompanies those types of novels, and the author’s prose is compelling and readable.
I rarely give 5 stars for a book, but I give that rating to this book without hesitation. If historical fiction is a genre you appreciate, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it now! 🙂