Splendor of Silence

by Indu Sundaresan

Book Overview

When Sam Hawthorne, a twenty-five-year-old U.S. Army captain, arrives at the princely state of Rudrakot in May of 1942, it is on a personal quest to find his missing brother. But Sam's mission is soon... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743283686
• ISBN13: 9780743283687
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Wsqp - Washington Square
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A GREAT READ

I highly recommend this book. It is a book that returns to the present occasionally, but not so quickly that you get lost. I TOTALLY loved this book and the characters were so alive. i can only add that I am an avid reader and I would never give a book high ratings, if it did not deserve them. This is a book I will probably read again, and any others that this author writes. Kudos to the author.

One of My All Time Favorite Novels

This book is simply fantastic. I couldn't put it down. Sundaresan is a brilliant novelist, with an eye for observation. Her prose is lush, her analogies wonderful, the story and characters heartbreakingly endearing. It was very well executed, the plot moving seamlessly through different story lines. The reader is taken on a breath taking tour of India, the sights and sounds brought to you in vivid details thanks to Sundaresan's writing. The love story is beautiful, handly delicately yet with passion. I highly recommend this novel, especially for a vacation.

Vivid and captivating

Being a big fan of her two previous books, I was looking forward to Sundaresan's new book. I wasn't disappointed. She is an amazing storyteller. This story takes you to a fictional region of Northwestern India, in May 1942. Sam Hawthorne is a US soldier on mission in Burma, who goes to Rudrakot to search for his missing brother. There he stays at the political agent's house, where he meets Mila. Mila is in love with Jai, the prince of Rudrakot, and is sure to marry him. Sam's presence in Rudrakot does not go unnoticed and causes a stir within the political and military circles, as well as within Mila's house and Mila herself, and it will have repercussions long after the 4 days are over. This whirlwind of a story tackles many topics, all relevant to understand the period and the conflicts within the characters: the effects of the British presence in India, the nationalist movement, politics, racism, young people coming of age, family relations, the social system in India and between Indians/ British, history. Sundaresan does a great job with this story which will stay with you a long time after you finish the last line. Highly recommended.

A Vivid and Fulfilling Read

For avid readers of historical fiction, Indu Sundaresan's latest book is a jewel. With elements of adventure, espionage and romance weaved into the story, you are left wanting more and yet, satisfied with the story's ending. The book paints a vivid picture of a world war two era city in India where an American soldier goes to look for his missing brother and in the course of a few days comes away with much more than he expected and leaves behind consequences that reverberate years after.

Excellent book

The Splendor of Silence was a book that I could not put down and at the same time I did not want to end. Indu Sundaresan weaves historical information into a beautifullly written novel that has you truly caring what happens to the characters. I highly recommend this book along with the Feast of Roses.