Julia Gregson
Author of East of the Sun
About the Author
Image credit: Julia Gregson
Works by Julia Gregson
Viaggio di nozze in India 1 copy
Güneşin Doğusu 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Gregson, Julia
- Birthdate
- 1947
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- model
journalist
novelist - Short biography
- Julia Gregson worked as a model for Hardie Amies before becoming a journalist. As foreign correspondent in the United Kindom, Australia, and the United States of America, she was posted to Vietnam and India, and then worked for Rolling Stone in New York, She has interviewed Muhammad Ali, Buzz Aldrin, Ronnie Biggs and Hollywood royalty. Her short-stories have been published in collections and magazines and read on the radio. Married with one daughter and four step-children, she lives in Monmouthshire, Wales with two Welsh cobs, a Shetland and two dogs.
- Nationality
- UK
- Places of residence
- Newport, Wales, UK
Monmouthshire, Wales, UK - Associated Place (for map)
- Wales, UK
Members
Reviews
Twenty-five-year-old Viva Holloway was orphaned in India at a young age and sent to live with relatives in England. Now she has received the news that an old trunk belonging to her parents is waiting for her in Simla, and she knows that she needs to retrieve this piece of her past. To acquire enough money for her passage to India, she agrees to chaperone three young charges: Rose Wetherby, a beautiful young girl traveling to India to marry her fiancé, whom she hardly knows; Victoria show more “Tor” Sowerby, Rose’s best friend who is determined to find true love; and Guy Glover, a sullen and mentally unbalanced 16-year-old whose surly demeanor might indicate a more dangerous purpose. The novel follows all these characters into India, where they encounter a country on the brink of tremendous change and must also deal with significant changes within themselves.
This book was an interesting immersion into 1920s India, a time and place I know very little about. One thing that really impressed me was the way in which the book touches on political events through the eyes of three young women whose primary concerns are much more personal. A lot of historical novels have characters who are hyper-aware of the political situations around them, which makes them seem like manufactured mouthpieces for a political agenda rather than realistic people of the period; but this book definitely avoids that pitfall. The book also creates a real sense of atmosphere, describing the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of India. I found the main characters flawed but sympathetic, especially Tor, and it was easy to care about what happened to them. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who are interested in exploring another culture. show less
This book was an interesting immersion into 1920s India, a time and place I know very little about. One thing that really impressed me was the way in which the book touches on political events through the eyes of three young women whose primary concerns are much more personal. A lot of historical novels have characters who are hyper-aware of the political situations around them, which makes them seem like manufactured mouthpieces for a political agenda rather than realistic people of the period; but this book definitely avoids that pitfall. The book also creates a real sense of atmosphere, describing the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of India. I found the main characters flawed but sympathetic, especially Tor, and it was easy to care about what happened to them. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who are interested in exploring another culture. show less
This post-WWII novel--straight from the cutout rack at the local Dollar Tree--was an extremely pleasant surprise. Loved it. An interesting and conflicting vibe drives the story set in a newly independent India--an upper-caste family who loves all things British...until a British wife marries their beloved son and begins work as (horror of horrors!) a midwife. Throw in an Indian expat mother in law who hates all things Indian--the mix is engaging and intriguing.
A beautifully written and evocative perspective of the British Empire in the 1920s. Three women join the 'Fishing Fleet' of English girls looking for a husband in India: Rose, already promised to a soldier she met briefly at a party at home; Tor, packed off by her mother out of desperation; and Viva, sent to chaperone them on the voyage over. Julia Gregson presents them as distinctly individual characters with their own thoughts and voices, leaving behind the familiar and comfortable for new show more experiences abroad.
Viva is the lynchpin holding the story together, learning about her shattered childhood in India, but she can be far too prickly and introspective for the reader to bond with; naive Rose and ebullient Tor are not as enigmatic, but act and speak naturally. All three, however, portray the changing femininity of the era, from Rose's timid child bride to Viva's proud self-sufficiency.
India is the main focus and appeal of this novel - as with Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children', the sights, smells and oppressive heat of the country leap off the page. There is a superficial beauty in the blue skies and magnificent flowers, as shown on the cover, but neither does Gregson shy away from the darker truth - extreme poverty, religious and racial tension, and the simmering violence waiting to boil over. Speaking through the bohemian and rather politically correct Viva, the colonial past is occasionally tempered with modern liberality, but the author's presentation of history is to be applauded.
A sensual and instructive journey, albeit with a safe destination (everybody gets their Happy Ever After). Enjoyable. show less
Viva is the lynchpin holding the story together, learning about her shattered childhood in India, but she can be far too prickly and introspective for the reader to bond with; naive Rose and ebullient Tor are not as enigmatic, but act and speak naturally. All three, however, portray the changing femininity of the era, from Rose's timid child bride to Viva's proud self-sufficiency.
India is the main focus and appeal of this novel - as with Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children', the sights, smells and oppressive heat of the country leap off the page. There is a superficial beauty in the blue skies and magnificent flowers, as shown on the cover, but neither does Gregson shy away from the darker truth - extreme poverty, religious and racial tension, and the simmering violence waiting to boil over. Speaking through the bohemian and rather politically correct Viva, the colonial past is occasionally tempered with modern liberality, but the author's presentation of history is to be applauded.
A sensual and instructive journey, albeit with a safe destination (everybody gets their Happy Ever After). Enjoyable. show less
A compelling tale set in England but mostly in India after partition and independence. Anglo-Indian nurse Kit Smallwood falls in love with and marries Indian doctor Anto Threkkeden, and they travel to Anto’s homeland, Kerala, to begin a new life there together - Anto as a doctor and Kit to help start up the Moonstone Home, a charity hospital for women. As with all good intentions, things do not always go smoothly and Kit finds herself in persistent danger and under constant show more disapproval.
This is a very insightful read and extremely vividly told. The descriptions of India and its customs are depicted so evocatively and realistically, I could picture it all quite clearly in my mind - I almost felt I was there! It highlights the prejudices and attitudes towards women, plus the many traditions in such a culture. The subject of midwifery is touched upon quite significantly and is interestingly illustrated. There are some complex and fascinating characters who add to the richness of the story. It’s a slow burner but it’s quite easy to get lost within the engaging and colourful narrative.
An absorbing tale about mixed race love, loyalty, courage to do what is right, determination and the importance of family. I very much enjoyed it. show less
This is a very insightful read and extremely vividly told. The descriptions of India and its customs are depicted so evocatively and realistically, I could picture it all quite clearly in my mind - I almost felt I was there! It highlights the prejudices and attitudes towards women, plus the many traditions in such a culture. The subject of midwifery is touched upon quite significantly and is interestingly illustrated. There are some complex and fascinating characters who add to the richness of the story. It’s a slow burner but it’s quite easy to get lost within the engaging and colourful narrative.
An absorbing tale about mixed race love, loyalty, courage to do what is right, determination and the importance of family. I very much enjoyed it. show less
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- Works
- 7
- Also by
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- #16,586
- Rating
- 3.6
- Reviews
- 104
- ISBNs
- 88
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