The Far Pavillions Volume One

by M.M. Kaye

We all remember certain rare long novels we hated to see come to an end; it was almost like breaking up with someone we love. You will feel that way about THE FAR PAVILIONS. From the foothills of the towering Himalayas, through the palaces of old India, across the bone strewn passes of the Khyber, to the final cataclysmic scene in the ancient "Land of Cain," M.M. Kaye weaves a vast, rich and vibrant tapestry of love and war that ranks with the great panoramic sagas of modern fiction. Spanning twenty-five of the 19th century's most turbulent years, it is a mesmerizing story of hatred and bitter combat; of courage, cowardice and human sacrifice; of the star-crossed wedding of East and West; and above all it is a tale of love. It is the story of Ash, an Englishman who is raised as a Hindu in the shadow of the Himalayas; of Juli, an Indian princess who must choose between the heritage of her people and the man she loves; of families and friends, allies and adversaries working out their destinies while an ancient civilization rushes toward its fate. But always, from first to last, it tells of a love transcending time and place and dominating the sweep of events. THE FAR PAVILIONS is a monumental achievement, a passionate and triumphant story that excites us, fills us with joy, moves us to tears, and helps us remember just what it is we want most from a novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, India, Classics, Historical, Indian Literature, Romance, Suspense

567 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

M. M. Kaye (Mary Margaret) was born in India and spent her early childhood and much of her early-married life there. Her family ties with the country are strong: her grandfather, father, brother and husband all served the British Raj. After India's independence, her husband, Major-General Goff Hamilton of Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (the famous Indian Army regiment featured in The Far Pavilions), joined the British Army and for the next nineteen years M. M. Kaye followed the drum to Kenya, Zanzibar, Egypt, Cyprus and Germany.
M. M. Kaye won worldwide fame for The Far Pavilions, which became a worldwide best-seller on publication in 1978. This was followed by Shadow of the Moon and Trade Wind. She also wrote and illustrated The Ordinary Princess, a children's book and authored a dozen detective novels, including Death in Kashmir and Death in Zanzibar. Her autobiography has been published in three volumes, collectively entitled Share of Summer: The Sun in the Morning, Golden Afternoon, and Enchanted Evening. In March 2003, M. M. Kaye was awarded the Colonel James Tod International Award by the Maharana Mewar Foundation of Udaipur, Rajasthan, for her "contribution of permanent value reflecting the spirit and values of Mewar".

Reviews

[Olga Kowalska (WielkiBuk) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikt już dzisiaj nie pisze monumentalnych powieści przesyconych historią i namiętnością, które łączą w sobie prawdziwe fakty i fikcję literacką. Dlatego też warto powracać do takich książkowych klasyków jak „Dalekie pawilony”, zanurzać się w ten pieczołowicie odmalowany krajobraz orientalnych krain, zapamiętanych jak z innej rzeczywistości, innego świata. Indie Mary Margaret Kaye to dalekie wspomnienie czasów skomplikowanych, pełnych konfliktów etnicznych, spisków, wojen, a to wszystko pośród nieznanych zapachów, barwnych jak motyle tkanin, piasku, który zapamięta przelaną krew na zawsze. Sięgając po „Dalekie pawilony” czytelnik przypomni sobie wielkie, legendarne opowieści, poczuje na własnej skórze siłę pieczołowicie dopracowanej literatury, zachłyśnie się emocjami, które same w sobie są już zamierzchłym snem. Dla takich historii – warto czytać!

[Queen KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always and forever one of my favorite books. The adventure continues in Volume 2 ❤️

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 1 is a very good story of Ash’s childhood through his early career with the guides, to the love story with his childhood playmate, but oh boy is it padded.

[Becky Wolsk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the atmosphere of this book throughout volume 1, but ultimately didn't care enough about the characters' future and British Indian-Afghani struggles to want to read all of volume 2. Volume 2 begins with chapter 33, and when I read this, I was reading an edition that had both volumes, so I actually read the story through chapter 48. I mention this because if you are reading this mostly for the Ash-Anjuli plot, then I recommend reading this book up until the end of chapter 48. That seems like a better place to stop then chapter 32 (which is the official vol 1 ending), since chapter 49 will mark a dividing line between the love story focus and a subsequent military campaign focus.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1 of Far Pavillions I loved. I couldn't put it down toward the end and stayed up way too late several nights reading. Part 2 was good, the focus was off the love story though and much more about the army and Ash's role as a spy. It was much slower. I liked reading it, but I didn't feel compelled to read it. Sometimes a few weeks would go by before I read some more. Hence why it took me 7 months to read it! I still think the Far Pavillions are great books, but just don't expect part 2 to be as compelling.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of my favorite books of all time. its a slow moving story that is well developed. all about a great love story in India when the British were ruling... love it. the dvd doesn't do it justice although it tries!

[Lightly79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a bit to get use to the slow pace. Liked the epic scope of the book with good character development and an interesting plot.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reminded of the books of Anya Seton's while reading Unaccustomed Earth. I loved them when I read them over forty years ago.

[Kris Gernes]

One of my favorites. It gives insight into the ongoing conflicts in Afghsnistan and Pakistan.

[Weronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Przeczytanie tej książki zajęło mi trochę czasu , jednak po przeczytaniu cieszę się że jest drugi tom ponieważ nie chciałabym się już rozstawać z tą historią. Opowieść ma 780 stron, jednak nie jest w żadnym stopniu nudna. Ciągle się coś dzieje; rozterki miłosne, intrygi, zagrożenia, śmierci również jest sporo. Książka daje mało okazji do wytchnienia- a po niej dzieją się rzeczy jeszcze bardziej wywrotowe. Namacalny jest wręcz klimat Indii i wielkiej Brytanii w czasach wiktoriańskich. Z książki można się sporo dowiedzieć, ale również troszkę się zapoznać z językiem i kulturą Indii. Autorka nie boi się zapoznawać nas z tym językiem dodając małe wstępny z nim. Minusem jednak było dla mnie na początku zbyt mała ilość przypisów. Potem jednak jakoś to zrozumiałam. Jest to jedna z najlepszych książek jakie w życiu przeczytałam. Język, klimat, akcja, miłość, intrygi- czego potrzebuje jeszcze dobra książka? Zapewne jakiegoś głębszego przekazu - to również można tutaj znaleść. Dużo mi ta książka dała do myślenia i zmieniła w pewien sposób mnie, jako osobę.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first couple hundred pages. But then the story started to drag on and on and I found myself reading it less and less. Not sure if I'll read the 2nd volume.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

(+) wciągająca fabuła
(-) czasami bezsensowne decyzje bohaterów i ich przydługie przemyślenia

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I not under the same title?

Somehow, I am/was quite attracted to the culture in India.. So, this is also one of the book I like

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

#list-Wanna read again

[Stephi K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is out of print and I couldn't borrow it from the library. A friend lent it to me after her husband bought it in a used book store. One of the most intense books I've ever read: portraying a "suttee", where the wife of a Rana immolates herself on a funeral pyre, violent warfare in Afganistan, violent regime changes in India. It made me see a world I've never seen and it was startlingly relevant to today, despite being set in the 1870's. Worth my time, even though it took me months (Both volumes are over 1100 pgs.).

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, sweeping saga of love and relationships.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very looonnngggg book, but beautiful and an amazing saga story to dig into.....

[Kyaw Thu]

this book is very good and we needed knowledge