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The Feast of Roses
The Feast of Roses: A Novel | Indu Sundaresan
The love story of Emperor Jahangir and Mehrunnisa, begun in the critically praised debut novel The Twentieth Wife, continues in Indu Sundaresan's The Feast of Roses. This lush new novel tells the story behind one of the great tributes to romantic love and one of the seven wonders of the world -- the Taj Mahal. Mehrunnisa, better known as Empress Nur Jahan, comes into Jahangir's harem as his twentieth and last wife. Almost from the beginning of her royal life she fits none of the established norms of womanhood in seventeenth-century India. Mehrunnisa is the first woman Jahangir marries for love, at the "old" age of thirty-four. He loves her so deeply that he eventually transfers his powers of sovereignty to her. Power and wealth do not come easily to Mehrunnisa -- she has to fight for them. She has a formidable rival in the imperial harem, Empress Jagat Gosini, who has schemed and plotted against Mehrunnisa from early on. Mehrunnisa's problems do not just lie within the harem walls, but at court, too, as she battles powerful ministers for supremacy. These ministers, who have long had Emperor Jahangir's confidence and trust, consider Mehrunnisa a mere woman who cannot have a voice in the outside world. Mehrunnisa combats all of this by forming a junta of sorts with three men she can rely on -- her father, her brother, and Jahangir's son Prince Khurram. She demonstrates great strength of character and cunning to get what she wants, sometimes at a cost of personal sorrow when she almost loses her daughter's love. But she never loses the love of the man who bestows this power upon her -- Emperor Jahangir. The Feast of Roses is a tale of this power and love, the story of power behind a veil.
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Naj
The Feast of Roses: A Novel | Indu Sundaresan
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Such an engrossing read! Everything I loved about The Twentieth Wife was amped up and every complaint was done away with. A rich, vivid, fictionalized account of medieval India; full of political intrigue, power games, betrayals, breaking of gender norms, relentless pursuit of the throne, and a bittersweet ending. A perfect book if you're in the mood for something fun and entertaining, but still with enough substance.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

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Hollie
The Feast of Roses: A Novel | Indu Sundaresan
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#readjanuary another #royals post from another part of the world... this is the story of the love affair between the Emperor Jahangir and his 20th wife Mehrunnisa. She becomes incredibly powerful not only in the harem, but in all of the Mughal Empire, though she rules from behind a veil. This is a historical fiction based on the woman who inspired the Taj Mahal. Gorgeous cover art as well!

RealLifeReading Oh wow this sounds really good! 8y
Hollie @RealLifeReading it has been a long time since I've read it, but I'm wanting to go back and re-read now! 8y
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MeganAnn
The Feast of Roses: A Novel | Indu Sundaresan
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I'm a little behind on #somethingforsept due to being out of town and I couldn't post yesterday when I tried. #Day4 is #pocauthors: missing is The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende because my mom has borrowed it. Thanks Littens for making me realize my shelves need more diversity! I'm going to be more conscious about the choice of books I read in the future as I haven't paid much attention in the past. Suggestions are welcome!

RealLifeReading A book I recently adored was Tayari Jones' Silver Sparrow. Also Jacqueline Woodson's Another Brooklyn was so good. Not sure if you like speculative fiction but I always recommend NK Jemisin's work. 8y
BooksForEmpathy That is a wonderful stack! I loved Rich & Pretty. Take a look at my post for some ideas too - there are some of my favorites in there. Junot Diaz, Amy Tan, and Jhumpa Lahiri have some amazing ones!!! 8y
MeganAnn @RealLifeReading @BooksForEmpathy thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely check all of those those out. 8y
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