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Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal - John Shors
Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal
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2.00 15
In 1632, the Emperor of Hindustan, Shah Jahan, overwhelmed with grief over the death of his beloved wife, Mumatz Mahal, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum to symbolize the greatness of their love. The story surrounding the construction of the Taj Mahal occurs, however, against a scrim... show more
In 1632, the Emperor of Hindustan, Shah Jahan, overwhelmed with grief over the death of his beloved wife, Mumatz Mahal, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum to symbolize the greatness of their love. The story surrounding the construction of the Taj Mahal occurs, however, against a scrim of fratricidal war, murderous rebellion, unimaginable wealth, and, not least of all, religious fundamentalism ruthlessly opposing tolerance and coexistence between the disparate peoples in the empire. At that time, Hindustan comprised all of modern Pakistan and Kashmir, most of eastern Afghanistan, and two-thirds of the Indian subcontinent (roughly north of Bombay to the Himalayas). Beneath a Marble Sky, narrated by Princess Jahanara, eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, recounts their story, and her own as well, a parallel tale of forbidden love enduring censure and extreme deprivations. Beneath a Marble Sky brims with action and intrigue befitting an epic era when, alongside continuous war, architecture and its attendant arts reached a pinnacle of perfection. In a splendid debut, John Shors has crafted an immensely readable and well-researched historical novel of surprisingly contemporary relevance.
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Format: hardcover
ISBN: 9780929701714 (0929701712)
Publisher: McPherson & Company
Pages no: 324
Edition language: English
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Community Reviews
EpicFehlReader
EpicFehlReader rated it
I've been enamored with the story of the Taj Mahal since I was a little girl, but then what bookish, introverted girl hasn't at some point in their life. It's a gorgeous story of love that lives beyond death, and it's true to boot! I sometimes hear Mumtaz and her man, Shah Jahan, compared to King Ar...
Thewanderingjew
Thewanderingjew rated it
4.0 Beneath a Marble Sky: A Love Story
The story takes place in 17th century India, during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan, which was followed by the reign of his son Aurangjab, (then called Alamgir) who imprisons his own father when he falls ill. This, then, is the story of the construction of the mausoleum known as the Taj Mahal, b...
susanw610
susanw610 rated it
I love historical novels and really looked forward to reading this book but I was ready to put it down half way through. I found the characters boring and unbelievable and didn't care what happened to them. Very disappointed so I crossed John Shors off of my list of authors to read. There are too ma...
Strange Words
Strange Words rated it
This book had me sobbing on the floor in the very best of ways. Jahanara is one of the strongest female characters I've encountered in fiction, and her story is so incredibly moving. I can't wait to read more from this author, and I recommend this book to everyone.
Telynor's Library, and then some
Telynor's Library, and then some rated it
3.0
One of the most excruciatingly bad novels that I have ever tried to wade through. Finally gave up about half-way through, and added it to the DNF pile.
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