July Group Read: The Raj Quartet #3 - Towers of Silence

The Towers of Silence by Paul Scott is the third book of the critically acclaimed Raj Quartet which documents events happening during WWII as India begins stepping up its demands for independence.

The story consists of descriptions of events from the viewpoint of all sides.

Thanks for setting up the thread, Jean. I have the book home from the library and will probably start it later today.

I read the first two in 2011, and did not want to reread them, so we'll see how I pick up in media res.

I've completed The Towers of Silence and now I am looking forward to seeing how the author is going to conclude this saga.

I've finished The Towers of Silence. It seemed far sadder than the earlier books, but then none of them were gay and happy. Perhaps it is because it is told from Bobbie's point of view?

I think I'm going to have to read the next then read Staying On as well.

I'm amazed how different Scott's way of telling a story is from the norm, and how compelling it is exactly because of that.

I thought this book was probably the weakest of the quartet, and think it could have been shorter...but yes, for me it encapsulated the sadness of the years and the sadness of those English who had loved India but knew they had to give it up one way or another (with Barbie leaving it by her descent into madness.) The title, with its association with death, is an appropriate one.

I wish I could remember more details from the first book. Now that they are discussing the two attacks, all I remember is that things were a lot more complicated than the newspaper reports lead you to believe.

Finished. I'm not sure what I think.