Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic historical tale
Review: Looking back to her salad days at Red Fort, Jahanara begins to tell the truth of her lineage to her disbelieving grandchildren. Back in 1632, her father the Emperor of Hindustan Shah Jahan mourned the loss of his beloved soulmate his wife Mumtaz Mahal, one of many spouse in his harem, but to him she was The Wife. He depended on her wisdom in all matters including war and politics. Foreseeing the future, Taj as the Emperor affectionately called her, mentored her wisest daughter Jahanara to replace her as the regal advisor if misfortune should strike her down, which occurs during childbirth.

Jahanara became the grieving Jahan's right hand "man" instead of her brothers. She encourages her father to have the monument to his wife built and becomes the liaison with the architect Isa. As she and Isa fall into a forbidden love, her time at the royal court ends when a brother Aurangzeb violently takes the throne forcing her into exile after a harsh incarnation with her being raped; now years later she tells her story to her descendents.

BENEATH THE MARBLE SKY is a fantastic historical tale that may be the best the genre offered in 2004. In some ways the plot comes across as an autobiographical account because of the technique that John Shors employs, that of Jahanara telling about the events of several decades ago. The story line vividly describes the Indian subcontinent in the seventeenth century where love, intrigue, and betrayal are key elements. Mr. Shors has transported readers to a different time and place as he paints quite a picture to illuminate the events surrounding the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This is an amazing, amazing book! I am astounded that the author is a man, yet he can write so beautifully in a woman's first person. The last time I felt similarly was after I read 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden. Also incredible is the fact that the author does not belong to the culture about which he has written, but he captures the essence, the way of speaking, and emotions remarkably. The writing flows like wine, and the story never falters. I was sorry the book was rapidly ending. How I envy those who will read it for the first time. For the thrill of the first time only comes the first time.
Those who enjoyed this book, or are about to start it, try 'The Twentieth Wife' followed by 'A Feast of Roses', both by Indu Sundaresan. The writing style there is incredible also - they could have all been written by the same person! - and 'Beneath a Marble Sky' is miraculously a sequel to both of those.

Rating:
Summary: unforgettable
Review: Where to start? I loved everything about this novel, from learning about the Taj Mahal to the characters to the descriptions about life in ancient India. This wonderful book will go on vacation with me next summer, and I'm already looking forward to reading it again.