2008 Woodie Awards
'The Twentieth Wife': author's first novel
Ashley Baldon
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Arts&Entertainment
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The Twentieth Wife is a historical fiction based on the story of Mehrunissa, a legend of India. This debut novel of author Indu Sundaresan is full of passion, ambition, determination, and romance.
Mehrunnisa, which means, "Sun of Women," is the daughter of a wealthy and influential Persian courtier who flees to India and comes into the service of the Emperor.
At the tender age of 8, Mehrunnisa befriends the current Empress Ruqayya. In the palaces of the Empress, she first catches a glimpse of the Prince Salim, the future Emperor. Mehrunissa then decides to one day become his wife and Empress.
As a personal friend to the current Empress, Mehrunissa learns about the intrigues of the imperial court and of the power a woman can wield as a harem wife.
In a culture where women are considered less valuable than men, the reader sees through the eyes of Mehrunissa how women behind the veil can wield power to change destinies and to rule an Empire. Sundaresan follows Mehrunissa's vivacious life, Prince Salim's dissatisfied one, and how their destinies are entwined. Prince Salim grows impatient to become Emperor and rebels against his beloved father. Mehrunissa, trapped in an unsatisfying marriage ordered by Salim's father, watches Salim from afar until the day her dream of becoming his wife and Empress materializes.
The Twentieth Wife is rife with political intrigue of how Prince Salim comes to inherit his throne, and later to defend it from his own son, to become Emperor Jahangir, which means "World Conqueror."
Sundaresan's style is provocative and introspective. She breathes life into a legend and brings a light to historical events. The Twentieth Wife is a work of fiction based on reality.
Sundaresan writes about how she came to tell Mehrunissa's story. "I relied on bazarr gossip, the narratives of seventeenth-century travelers to India, the legend of Mehrunissa, and my own imagination," she said.
Sundaresan quotes the historic narratives at the beginning of each chapter showing the reality of her story.
It is gratifying to read a historical fiction based upon a country and culture exotic and faraway. It reminds us that the culture that we live is not the only one in existence. The reader learns to understand and accept other cultures.
By reading literature based on another culture and another style of life, we become more open-minded. We come one step closer to acceptance and tolerance. With these and a little bit of time and hope, we bring the world closer to peace.
Mehrunnisa, which means, "Sun of Women," is the daughter of a wealthy and influential Persian courtier who flees to India and comes into the service of the Emperor.
At the tender age of 8, Mehrunnisa befriends the current Empress Ruqayya. In the palaces of the Empress, she first catches a glimpse of the Prince Salim, the future Emperor. Mehrunissa then decides to one day become his wife and Empress.
As a personal friend to the current Empress, Mehrunissa learns about the intrigues of the imperial court and of the power a woman can wield as a harem wife.
In a culture where women are considered less valuable than men, the reader sees through the eyes of Mehrunissa how women behind the veil can wield power to change destinies and to rule an Empire. Sundaresan follows Mehrunissa's vivacious life, Prince Salim's dissatisfied one, and how their destinies are entwined. Prince Salim grows impatient to become Emperor and rebels against his beloved father. Mehrunissa, trapped in an unsatisfying marriage ordered by Salim's father, watches Salim from afar until the day her dream of becoming his wife and Empress materializes.
The Twentieth Wife is rife with political intrigue of how Prince Salim comes to inherit his throne, and later to defend it from his own son, to become Emperor Jahangir, which means "World Conqueror."
Sundaresan's style is provocative and introspective. She breathes life into a legend and brings a light to historical events. The Twentieth Wife is a work of fiction based on reality.
Sundaresan writes about how she came to tell Mehrunissa's story. "I relied on bazarr gossip, the narratives of seventeenth-century travelers to India, the legend of Mehrunissa, and my own imagination," she said.
Sundaresan quotes the historic narratives at the beginning of each chapter showing the reality of her story.
It is gratifying to read a historical fiction based upon a country and culture exotic and faraway. It reminds us that the culture that we live is not the only one in existence. The reader learns to understand and accept other cultures.
By reading literature based on another culture and another style of life, we become more open-minded. We come one step closer to acceptance and tolerance. With these and a little bit of time and hope, we bring the world closer to peace.