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The Splendor of Silence: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Indu Sundaresan
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $2.25
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 257221
Media: Paperback
Pages: 416
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0743283686
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780743283687
ASIN: 0743283686
Publication Date: September 18, 2007
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Product Description
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 threatened by the unlikeliest of sources -- he falls hopelessly in love with Mila, daughter of the local political agent. And Mila, unexpectedly attracted to Sam, finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.A sweeping and poignant story of forbidden love, The Splendor of Silence opens twenty-one years later with Olivia, Sam's daughter, receiving a trunk of treasures from India, along with an anonymous letter that finally fills the silences of her childhood. She finally learns the heartrending story of her parents' passionate and enduring love affair -- throwing them in the path of racial prejudice, nationalist intrigue, and the explosive circumstances of a country on the brink of independence from British rule.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Vivid and captivating June 15, 2007
Erin Brooks (London)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
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.
strong historical tale September 9, 2006
Harriet Klausner
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In 1942 in the Kingdom of Rudrakot in Northwest India, U.S. Army Captain Sam Hawthorne comes to this desert environs to recuperate from an injury he received while working a rescue behind Japanese lines in Burma. However, to the local desert people, Sam's claims as to why he is here seem odd. Truthfully, Sam is an espionage agent of the recently formed OSS, but his secret assignment is personal. His brother Mike vanished while voluntarily serving with the Rudrakot Rifles in an independence from the Britain movement.
Though he knows better, Sam cannot resist a tryst with Mila, engaged to a prince and the daughter of the kingdom's Indian political agent, who took the American into his home. He learns that his brother is a prisoner at a detention center and that Mila's brother Ashok has joined a group planning to assassinate the British representative in Rudrakot. If he stops the plot, he loses his chance to free his sibling.
Though the myriad of subplots can become difficult to follow though needed to emphasize the complexity of India in WW II, Indu Sundaresan provides historical fans with A FEAST OF ROSES as the deep look at Rudrakot enables readers to understand the war effort vs. the quest for independence. The story line is character driven by the locals who bring to vivid life the time and place. Sam is an interesting protagonist as he knows better, but cannot resist the lure of Mila. Fans will appreciate this strong historical tale.
Harriet Klausner
 Good, but not better than Indu Sundaresan's previous books January 3, 2007
Shareen Joshi (New Haven, CT United States)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book is decent, but definitely pales in comparison to either "The Twentieth Wife", or "A Feast of Roses", both of which are among my favourite books ever. While the book is written well and eventually captivates a reader, the plot takes a while to unfold, and at times seems a little dull. Sundaresan however, still strikes me as a wonderful author and I look forward to reading her books for years to come!
Captivating story! January 9, 2007
Future Author (CA, USA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The captivating story is excellently narrated with so much ease by the author! I could not keep aside the book until I finished it. It's long since I have read such an intriguing historical novel based in India.
Excellent book October 16, 2006
Happy Reader
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
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