An Unholy Drought by Madhulika Liddle is primarily a story recounted by the elderly narrator, Nadeem, about the lives of his ancestors in Delhi as the historic city witnesses significant political change: the fall of the Delhi Sultanate and the rise of the Mughal Empire.

This is historical fiction at its best. Ms. Liddle breathes life into the varied, well-written characters in this splendid family saga spanning generations. The descriptions of Delhi, the food, the culture, traditions, architecture, and the history are vivid, and I felt as if I was transported to that era. However, the best part of the book is that despite mainly focusing on Delhi, it never compromises on the characters. The descriptions and history never interfere with the characters and their development, which enriches the reading experience.

All the characters are relatable and well-etched, and the women are the best. Most of the women are strong-willed, admirable, and worth rooting for, be it Aabida, who, despite her husband’s failings, single-handedly establishes the brocade business, Shahana, who, despite her husband’s orientation and her shy nature, battles great adversities to keep her family together, Zarina, a talented naqshband who is not afraid to pursue her career in an era where women aren’t encouraged to work. And to lend variety, there is a relatively weaker character like Ismat, who is a bitchy, jealous woman.

The men might seem weaker in comparison, what with their bad decisions, but I could still relate to every one of them. I could understand the rationale behind their choices, and I wanted them to find happiness in life. None of them were unlikable.

The plot is also beautifully constructed, with the characters’ fortunes intertwining with the changes in royalty and empires. Moreover, despite the book being set in olden times, Ms. Liddle has implemented diversity in the narrative by including an LGBTQ character. Although this is a serious story for the most part, I liked how Ms. Liddle has added some light humor in the book, especially during some of the interactions between Nadeem and his grandson.

The language, as expected from Ms. Liddle, is impeccably flawless. It is simple and lucid, with the right amount of ornamentation and flair at the appropriate places. And if aspiring writers need to learn how to use punctuation in dialogue, they should refer to Ms. Liddle’s books. She is undoubtedly one of the best writers in India.

An Unholy Drought is the second novel in the Delhi Quartet series, and I liked it even more than The Garden of Heaven, which was brilliant, too. This novel is a must-read for historical fiction lovers, and I highly recommend it to general fiction readers as well.

4.6 stars from my side.