A Singular Hostage

I LOVED this book. It is one I have returned to again and again when there is nothing compelling on the book shelf. It functions as a satisfying romance with none of the artificial silliness of the 'romance formula', but offers a breathtaking tour through a very real part of history, the (dare we say 'foolish'?) smug superiority of the British in 19th century India, and a vivid and respectful introduction to Islam and Sufi mysticism as well. Mariana Givens is the awkward, unsophisticated heroine, sent to India to find a husband, but never able to suppress either her unladylike interest in military matters or her wide smile. Her interest in 'native' customs horrifies her betters, but of course appeals to the reader hugely. The 'hostage' show more she rescues, the child Saboor, is a compelling little character, and the incipient romance with Hassan Ali Khan was utterly fascinating. (Horror: romance with a 'native.' Romance with a native Muslim who believes women should be veiled and sheltered!)

I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series ("A Beggar at the Gate") to see where THAT would go, and still feel that the single brief scene of their one night together was more moving and more profound than the endless pages of biological detail so common in romance novels today.

How I wish we could all approach new and different cultures with Mariana's openness. How I wish that U.S. foreign policy had some of Mariana's understanding of and respect for 'other' ways of life. Bravo to Thalassa Ali for opening western eyes to an historical understanding of Pakistan, neatly couched in a compelling and appealing story. show less

In the beginning, I was totally drawn into Mariana's story and had high hopes about this novel. The hints of tragedy in her past, her love of India and her sense of adventure make Mariana a very sympathetic heroine; I for one hoped that she was going to find happiness with Harry Fitzgerald, the one suitor who seemed to understand her. The desciption of life in India, the glimpses into the walled compounds of women, and the mystical undercurrent to Indian life added immeasurably to the narrative, until about two-thirds of the way through when the book suddenly took a turn into the absurd. Mariana's inexplicable decision to thrust herself into an untenable situation coupled with her subsequent inability to explain her way out struck me as show more ridiculous. From the scene in the Maharajah's Citadel to the very end of the book, I was exasperated with Mariana and with the novel itself. The ending was rushed and left everything unresolved, a decision that makes slightly more sense now that I see there are two more installments to the story, but still weakens the quality of the book. I'm just happy to be finished with Mariana and will certainly not be picking up volumes 2 and 3 of this epic. show less

A young Englishwoman, shipped off to British India to find a suitable husband among Queen Victoria's military community, becomes entangled with local politics when she is thrust into the position of rescuer and guardian of a young child being held political hostage by the Maharaja of Punjab.

The descriptions of life in northern India (now Pakistan) during the early years of Queen Victoria's reign, is suitably colorful, but the action borders on the melodramatic, with many hair-raising escapades, a forced wedding, an escape from the seraglio, an is-it-or-isn't-it romance, and an ending that just kind of dribbles off without a clear resolution.

Ali, American-born and married to a Pakistani, manages (barely) to stay out of bodice-ripper show more territory, mostly by keeping everyone chaste. But her heroine is cut from the traditional cloth -- an independent, unconventional, headstrong maiden whose curiosity about the exotic locale leads her, step by step, into deeper intrigue and danger.

It's not a bad read, but don't expect much more than light entertainment here. show less

This is a entertaining novel of Victorian India. The main character, Mariana Givens, is not an ideal candidate for marriage in her native land, where she studies military history with her father. But in India she might find a suitable husband among the British officers who are preparing to invade Afghanistan. What she finds is a love of languages and an introduction into Islamic mysticism when she becomes responsible for Saboor, a child with unusual powers who finds himself alone in the home of the one-eyed Maharajah Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Punjab.

I had very mixed feelings about this book. Set in India in 1838, telling the story of Mariana, a young English girl sent to India to find a husband,. She ends up travelling as a translator for Lord Auckland’s delegation to sign a treaty with the Maharajah of the Punjab. She eventually becomes mixed up in political affairs as she rescues a baby from the Maharajah in order to return him to his family. The baby was being held as a hostage to ensure his family toed the line. The Maharajah looked upon this baby as a good luck charm and wanted to keep him close. Unfortunately, this did not keep the baby safe from his jealous wives and courtiers.

At this point in the story, I found the book changing from a work of historical fiction into the show more realms of a comic fairy tale. The story now becomes one of rescuing this young woman from the evil clutches of the old, one-eyed ruler by the stalwart, handsome father of the baby. Mariana herself complicates matters by her inept handling of the situation.

I found parts this story quite unbelievable and rather disjointed. It made more sense to me when I found out that this is the first part of a trilogy, so I assume the ragged ends will eventually be mended and the story will come together. The writing seemed rather simple and the characters a little flat, although Mariana herself, I found to be engaging although not the sharpest knife in the drawer. The baby, Saboor, I found downright odd. I may continue with the second book at some point, but it’s definitely not a “must” read. show less

In the days of the British Raj it was common for young English women to be sent to India in order to find a husband. So it was with Mariana Givens. However, this unconventional young woman finds herself involved in the rescue of a young boy who has been held hostage by a maharaja who believes him to be a sort of good-luck talisman.

This was a very pleasurable read.

I got a few chapters in but it is not my cup of tea. Mariana Givens feels like a 21st century girl in the 19th century and the writing was not that fabulous so I'm putting this and it's sequal back into the BookCrossing to release piles.