The book’s cover depicting a dusky nude woman may mislead you into thinking the book is about dancing girls and prostitutes in the city of Palaces. Once you get past it, however, you will be captivated by a story that has unexpected twists and turns.

Sujata Massey’s ‘City of Palaces’ is an engaging book which I read from cover to cover in ONE sitting. Something that I hadn’t done for a long while. It was a lovely feeling to stay up way after midnight reading – taking me back to my carefree college days when I could indulge in such luxuries.

Romance in pre-independent India

For fear of spoiling the story, I will not talk about the plot apart from the fact that the heroine or narrator has an almost chameleon-like ability to survive the curve balls thrown at her. While at some level, the storyline is predictable (no I didn’t flip through the pages to find out how it progresses) it holds your interest.

Massey has a delightful turn of phrase and brings to life a romantic, sordid and very real pre-independence India. Her well-developed characters pop out of the pages luring you into their world be it a cyclone, a boarding school or a salon.

Kamala, the protagonist, is strong, gutsy and fearless. Orphaned in a cyclone, she comes across people who sometimes help and sometimes don’t, but with her quick thinking, she gets out of difficult situations. Despite the injustice meted out to her she doesn’t let bitterness and resentment colour her response and carries on stoically.

So if you are looking for an interesting read this weekend, go for ‘City of Palaces’ and find out if Kamala’s story has a happy ending.

Ciao,