Isabel Royston

I thought this novel was absolutely fascinating. The depiction of India in the 1930s, written comtemporaneously, was very interesting. It portrayed an India full of expectation, benefitting from the technology of the West but still coveting its own culture and beliefs. The treatment of the main characters was insightful and given great depth, but with the novel being almost 600 pages long there was ample room to develop their personalities and foibles. Nevertheless, the 'lesser' characters were also well drawn and did not feel like caricatures. I particularly warmed to 'Aunt Phoebe', who exhibited an understanding of human nature which transcended all stereotypes of race and culture. Well worth reading.