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In a Far Country
Pree Fincastle, daughter of impoverished British missionaries in India, is left alone and destitute when tragedy strikes. Turned away by the Church, she embarks on a journey in search of Kai, the son of her mother’s ayah, and the only person she can trust. But Kai is not the man Pree thought he was, and the secrets he holds will unlock the door to another world, another time – and, shockingly, another life.Haunting, powerful, and heartbreaking, In a Far Country tells of an enthralling journey. From the whispering Ravi River to the bustling Grand Trunk Road, from the cantonments of Lahore to the bazaars of Peshawar, this is a breathtaking story of penury and prostitution, of tragedy and bloodshed, of secrets and love. But ultimately it is a story of hope; a story that, once read, will never be forgotten.
644 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Linda Holeman
27 books241 followersLinda Holeman is the author of fourteen books of fiction. Her work includes two adult collections of literary short stories, Flying to Yellow and Devil’s Darning Needle, as well as the historic novels The Linnet Bird, The Moonlit Cage, In a Far Country, The Saffron Gate, The Lost Souls of Angelkov, and The Devil on Her Tongue. Her young adult body of work consists of a collection of short stories, Saying Good-Bye, which was re-released as Toxic Love, and four novels: Promise Song, Mercy’s Birds, Raspberry House Blues, and Search of the Moon King’s Daughter. She has also written a first-chapter book, Frankie on the Run, illustrated by Heather Collins. To date, Linda’s work has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Greek, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Hungarian, soon to be published in Croatian, Italian, Czech and Slovakian.
As well as being published in many journals and periodicals, her work has been widely anthologized in Canada – most noticeably in The Journey Prize Anthology – and abroad. Linda has also acted as guest editor for a young adult issue of Prairie Fire Magazine, for which was she awarded the Vicky Metcalf Short Story Editor Award. She has been the recipient of many honours and awards for her young adult work.
Linda has been a member of the Manitoba Artists in the Schools Program and CANSCAIP, toured with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, acted as a mentor in the Manitoba Writers’ Guild Mentor Program, taught creative writing through the University of Winnipeg’s Continuing Education, served on many juries, including the Governor-General’s Award for Children’s Literature, and created and facilitated numerous writing workshops on many aspects of the writing process to both students and adults nationally and internationally. She held a nine-month term as Writer-in-Residence at the Millennium Library in Winnipeg, and served on the editorial advisory board for Turnstone Press and on the board of the Manitoba Writers Guild. She is a member of The Writers Union of Canada.
Linda holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg, a BEd in Early Childhood Education and MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Manitoba.
She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Source: http://www.lindaholeman.com/
As well as being published in many journals and periodicals, her work has been widely anthologized in Canada – most noticeably in The Journey Prize Anthology – and abroad. Linda has also acted as guest editor for a young adult issue of Prairie Fire Magazine, for which was she awarded the Vicky Metcalf Short Story Editor Award. She has been the recipient of many honours and awards for her young adult work.
Linda has been a member of the Manitoba Artists in the Schools Program and CANSCAIP, toured with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, acted as a mentor in the Manitoba Writers’ Guild Mentor Program, taught creative writing through the University of Winnipeg’s Continuing Education, served on many juries, including the Governor-General’s Award for Children’s Literature, and created and facilitated numerous writing workshops on many aspects of the writing process to both students and adults nationally and internationally. She held a nine-month term as Writer-in-Residence at the Millennium Library in Winnipeg, and served on the editorial advisory board for Turnstone Press and on the board of the Manitoba Writers Guild. She is a member of The Writers Union of Canada.
Linda holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg, a BEd in Early Childhood Education and MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Manitoba.
She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Source: http://www.lindaholeman.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 27, 2010
Linda Holeman really deserves to be better known. Her books seem to be difficult to find outside the UK and Canada which is sad because she's such a good writer. Last year I read The Moonlit Cage and enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to read another of her historical fiction novels. In a Far Country is part of a trilogy with The Linnet Bird and The Moonlit Cage, but they are all stand-alone books and can be read in any order.
In a Far Country is set in British-ruled India in the late 19th century and tells the story of Pree Fincastle, the daughter of two British missionaries living on an isolated mission near Lahore. Left alone and penniless after her parents' tragic deaths, Pree sets off to look for her childhood friend, Kai, the only person she can turn to for help.
I found this book difficult to get into at first. Holeman spent a lot of time setting the scene and introducing us to Pree and her parents, so that the story didn't really begin until around 150 pages into the book. From this point onwards, though, the pace picked up and I was hooked. I really liked the character of Pree. Since the book is told in the first person from her point of view, we get to experience all her emotions as she grows up at the lonely, impoverished mission house and as her life is turned upside down by the deaths of her parents.
The only criticism I have of both this book and The Moonlit Cage is that I just don't feel enough connection to the male characters. I think Linda Holeman writes female characters much better than she does male. I found that Kai remained cold and aloof throughout the entire book and considering Pree loved and trusted him enough to turn to him when she was in trouble, I didn't feel much warmth, passion or humour coming from him at all. This was almost exactly the same reaction I had to David Ingram in The Moonlit Cage.
However, one of Holeman's strengths is in her wonderfully evocative and colourful descriptions of the places she's writing about. She chooses just the right words to convey the sights, sounds and smells of India. If you had never read a book set in India before, this would probably be a good introduction.
Despite the length of this book, it was surprisingly quick to read. Recommended if you're looking for a big, heartbreaking historical fiction novel to lose yourself in for a few days.
http://shereadsnovels.wordpress.com
In a Far Country is set in British-ruled India in the late 19th century and tells the story of Pree Fincastle, the daughter of two British missionaries living on an isolated mission near Lahore. Left alone and penniless after her parents' tragic deaths, Pree sets off to look for her childhood friend, Kai, the only person she can turn to for help.
I found this book difficult to get into at first. Holeman spent a lot of time setting the scene and introducing us to Pree and her parents, so that the story didn't really begin until around 150 pages into the book. From this point onwards, though, the pace picked up and I was hooked. I really liked the character of Pree. Since the book is told in the first person from her point of view, we get to experience all her emotions as she grows up at the lonely, impoverished mission house and as her life is turned upside down by the deaths of her parents.
The only criticism I have of both this book and The Moonlit Cage is that I just don't feel enough connection to the male characters. I think Linda Holeman writes female characters much better than she does male. I found that Kai remained cold and aloof throughout the entire book and considering Pree loved and trusted him enough to turn to him when she was in trouble, I didn't feel much warmth, passion or humour coming from him at all. This was almost exactly the same reaction I had to David Ingram in The Moonlit Cage.
However, one of Holeman's strengths is in her wonderfully evocative and colourful descriptions of the places she's writing about. She chooses just the right words to convey the sights, sounds and smells of India. If you had never read a book set in India before, this would probably be a good introduction.
Despite the length of this book, it was surprisingly quick to read. Recommended if you're looking for a big, heartbreaking historical fiction novel to lose yourself in for a few days.
http://shereadsnovels.wordpress.com
March 16, 2011
I've loved Linda Holeman's writing since I first picked up The Linnet Bird at the local half price bookstore when I was in college. Her books are so rich with action, mystery, romance and cultural diversity. It's sometimes hard to believe she is from Canada and not India, Afghanistan or some other far off country. The reader can easily get lost in a world that is vastly unlike anything they have ever known.
The vivid, colourful and natural way Linda Holeman writes leaves the reader engrossed in her sometimes dark, disheartening and depressing tales. She makes-real all the wonderful and disturbing sights, smells and sounds of colonial India.
In a Far Country was an absolute page turner from start to finish. I was amazed at how spellbound I was even in the first 200 pages when nothing overly dramatic was happening. It was the third book in her “India Trilogy.” It isn’t a traditional trilogy where the story is broken into three parts; there are just characters and events here and there that pull the three stand alone stories together.
I'll be reading The Saffron Gate next but if she doesn't come out with a new book soon I'll have to hunt down her YA books. I'm amazed Linda Holeman isn't more popular than she is.
The vivid, colourful and natural way Linda Holeman writes leaves the reader engrossed in her sometimes dark, disheartening and depressing tales. She makes-real all the wonderful and disturbing sights, smells and sounds of colonial India.
In a Far Country was an absolute page turner from start to finish. I was amazed at how spellbound I was even in the first 200 pages when nothing overly dramatic was happening. It was the third book in her “India Trilogy.” It isn’t a traditional trilogy where the story is broken into three parts; there are just characters and events here and there that pull the three stand alone stories together.
I'll be reading The Saffron Gate next but if she doesn't come out with a new book soon I'll have to hunt down her YA books. I'm amazed Linda Holeman isn't more popular than she is.
January 14, 2015
I wanted to like this book than I did. I liked the author's writing voice but I felt the story really dragged and some of the descriptions were just overkill bogging the story down without moving the plot along. There's giving the setting flavour and then there's describing every beam in a house ala Charles Dickens style and I felt that with this story. Also, I found the ending a huge disappointment. Pree has all these horrible things happen to her, has brief moments with the man she loves Kai who is devoted to fighting for his country, so much so that he fakes his death so he can be free of her so he can be free to fight on. Uh. No. So not okay. Then when she finally is reunited with her father, they have their confrontation but I didn't see her as ever really forgiving him for letting her be raised by other people and deciding to have a relationship with him. Her 'happy' ending is a husband and children who she refers to in one line of narrative but that we never meet. I felt after such a long journey of heartache, the reader deserved the pay off seeing Pree fall in love with someone new and building a family of her own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2021
Linda Holeman is one of my favorite authors. I have read every one of her books I can get my hands on. Her novels are fine pieces of art painted with the vivid colors of the East, wonderful historical details, deftly drawn characters and riveting storylines. Absolutely loved, loved, loved this novel!!
March 22, 2018
Loved this book!!!!!
This is my 4th book by Linda Holeman and once again she has drawn me into her story of a strong woman character and her life in an exotic country.
I never know how her storyline is going to go and that is what draws me into her books every time. I just have to find out how her characters will end up. A bittersweet ending and HIGHLY recommended.
This is my 4th book by Linda Holeman and once again she has drawn me into her story of a strong woman character and her life in an exotic country.
I never know how her storyline is going to go and that is what draws me into her books every time. I just have to find out how her characters will end up. A bittersweet ending and HIGHLY recommended.
December 12, 2018
A great book of tragedy, bloodshed, secrets and love
May 6, 2017
A remarkable journey
A tale of a young girl who grows up in a Christian missionary during some of the most bloody years of the British Raj in India. She refuses to be the daughter her parents wish her to become.
But things are not as they would seem to be to the people who pass by the mission compound. Why is she unable to accept the Christian religion she grows up learning every day? Even she can see her parents are outcasts, but doesn't understand the signs that warn her that a storm is blowing her way. Can she survive the storm when it arrives? She only loves one person, but that person is incapable of helping her. Darkness encompasses her life and struggles to survive. She soon learns to depend on herself and that she is far more capable than she thinks. Will she be able to start a new life?
A tale of a young girl who grows up in a Christian missionary during some of the most bloody years of the British Raj in India. She refuses to be the daughter her parents wish her to become.
But things are not as they would seem to be to the people who pass by the mission compound. Why is she unable to accept the Christian religion she grows up learning every day? Even she can see her parents are outcasts, but doesn't understand the signs that warn her that a storm is blowing her way. Can she survive the storm when it arrives? She only loves one person, but that person is incapable of helping her. Darkness encompasses her life and struggles to survive. She soon learns to depend on herself and that she is far more capable than she thinks. Will she be able to start a new life?
March 3, 2023
ended so abruptly but the first half of the book was an absolute masterpiece
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July 27, 2011This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I am so glad I read it! I don't know a lot about Indian culture, so that by itself made this book really interesting to me.
The first 300 pages or so are just introducing the story. Normally, I can't stand that, but the story was so engaging, I couldn't put it down.
Pree was a really interesting heroine. The things she does, whether they be right or wrong, totally make sense with her personality. Sometimes, I felt like screaming at the book, "Nooo! Don't do it!" But of course she did.
The romance between Kai and Pree was really different, but I liked how it all ended. I think if it were any different, I wouldn't have liked the book as much.
I really liked reading the next twist, and then reading Pree's reaction and what she was going to do about it.
If you can get through the first 300 pages, it's a really great book. 4 stars!
* * * *
The first 300 pages or so are just introducing the story. Normally, I can't stand that, but the story was so engaging, I couldn't put it down.
Pree was a really interesting heroine. The things she does, whether they be right or wrong, totally make sense with her personality. Sometimes, I felt like screaming at the book, "Nooo! Don't do it!" But of course she did.
The romance between Kai and Pree was really different, but I liked how it all ended. I think if it were any different, I wouldn't have liked the book as much.
I really liked reading the next twist, and then reading Pree's reaction and what she was going to do about it.
If you can get through the first 300 pages, it's a really great book. 4 stars!
* * * *
June 5, 2010
"Another completely engrossing and very well written novel from Linda Holeman. She has become one of my most favorite authors. With wonderful, fully developed characters and absorbing storyline, the book is set in India in the late 1800's. Ms. Holeman completely emerses the reader in the sights, sounds and smells of the country. Every book written by Ms. Holeman is an adventure, and I'm always sad when I've come to the end of the journey. I can't wait to read her latest, "The Saffron Gate". Very, very highy recommend."
April 29, 2024
I don't usually go for epic tales or sagas but this one came to me highly recommended by a bookseller and I have to say that she was right. This is the story of a young girl, nicknamed Pree, who grows up as the daughter of failed missionaries in India in the late 19th century. Both parents are flawed and aware of their failings which makes for a miserable home life. They live in obscurity and poverty on the outskirts of a city. This story has mystery, drama, yearning, horror, impossible choices and hopefulness.
November 3, 2008
Ah I am sad it is finished.
This book started a bit slow, but then it really started to gain pace and I enjoyed it.
I was a bit annoyed by her constantly following Kai.
One thing I am very curious about, what kind of genre the books of Lina Holeman are? Are they historical Fiction? or are they more romance books?
I want to know cause I like these kind of books a lot. Cannot wait for her next book,which has the working title of Majorelle Blue. Great canadian author.
This book started a bit slow, but then it really started to gain pace and I enjoyed it.
I was a bit annoyed by her constantly following Kai.
One thing I am very curious about, what kind of genre the books of Lina Holeman are? Are they historical Fiction? or are they more romance books?
I want to know cause I like these kind of books a lot. Cannot wait for her next book,which has the working title of Majorelle Blue. Great canadian author.
January 1, 2020
I felt emotionally involved with the main character,Pree, through most of this book. It takes a really good writer to have me this invested through 1280 pages. I learned alot of India's history with the British and Afganistan Gov't. Linda Holman did the same for "Linette Bird".
Anyone who likes historical fiction would find this one is good one
Anyone who likes historical fiction would find this one is good one
May 27, 2014
I loved reading In A Far Country by Linda Holeman. I would like to read more of her books.
April 19, 2020
I have read a previous novels by this author and she never disappoints.Meticulously researched and character driven this is a lovely book. I highly recommend
December 21, 2024
Even though I despise novels, I embarked on another journey to read Linda Holemann's book. Recently, I started to learn more about India’s history and how the British captured the country, so I thought a historic novel from this time period would be worth to explore. While reading this, I was reminded of why I dislike such books. The characters are portrayed rather poorly. Pree, a teenage girl, is depicted with loud and overwhelming emotions, so much so it’s hard for the reader to actually like the character. It feels like the author relied on clichés to make the characters believable; however, this approach resulted in them being rather dull and shallow.
The plot (if there even was one) was very disappointing. It seemed as though the author was trying too hard to shock the reader with outrageous twists. Additionally, it took a long time—half of the book—for the story to become somewhat interesting. All in all, it was a very disappointing read, and I won’t be picking up another novel for a long time. :)
The plot (if there even was one) was very disappointing. It seemed as though the author was trying too hard to shock the reader with outrageous twists. Additionally, it took a long time—half of the book—for the story to become somewhat interesting. All in all, it was a very disappointing read, and I won’t be picking up another novel for a long time. :)
June 3, 2023
Loved the book - it's a page turner. I'm only giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt the end dragged on too long and I'm not a fan of the strong, silent type of hero (not sure if Kai can really be called the hero, but he was certainly pretty wordless).
The author used the non-communication theme to keep the intensity but at times I felt it was overdone to the point of annoyance. I felt like saying, 'Just spit it out!' And, unless I missed something, I didn't understand the connection between Mr. Ingram/the Afghan and Kai. Ingram was British/Afghani and Kai was convicted for trying to stop British rule. But still, a very enjoyable book.
The author used the non-communication theme to keep the intensity but at times I felt it was overdone to the point of annoyance. I felt like saying, 'Just spit it out!' And, unless I missed something, I didn't understand the connection between Mr. Ingram/the Afghan and Kai. Ingram was British/Afghani and Kai was convicted for trying to stop British rule. But still, a very enjoyable book.
September 25, 2023
Rather too much repetition. It was only in the last few chapters that there was movement within the story. However, an interesting setting as the child of Christian missionaries in India. So I have now a picture of what it may have been like to have been a poor white in British India - not really part of any society.
September 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this book...until the end...it ended so abruptly I reread the last page several times trying to see if I missed something....It feels like an unfinished book...I took one star for the ending, otherwise it was a good read :)
February 18, 2020
Just finished reading In a Far Country. The trials of the female protagonist seem insurmountable at times. NOT the happy ending I expected, but a happy, fulfilling, poignant ending just the same. Set in India, in the late 1800s, it is beautifully written.
August 16, 2021
A journey of a young girl born in India who gets to learn her history and faced with tragedies by all the ones she loved. She desperately tries to finds her way in life and what she wants to do, and I'm glad we get to see her grow.
December 27, 2016
ik werd helemaal meegezogen in de wereld van Pree. ongelofelijk wat sommige mensen meemaken in hun leven en hoe sterk mensen kunnen zijn.
September 20, 2018
I enjoyed this book, beautiful writing.
December 6, 2017
I really enjoyed it. It started a bit slow, but as I became more immersed in it the pace picked up.
September 16, 2020
3.5 stars. F0r some reason even though I liked the story it took me forever to get it finished. Was thick with description and story with lots of twists and turns. The ending was rather abrupt.
March 5, 2021
I really liked it, but towards the end I kind of got a little bit annoyed with how she treated the ladies that were trying to help her. It was a really good read though and I did enjoy it.
June 19, 2021
Loved this book and Love her writing, she takes you to the places with such clear descriptions of people and time. Highly recommend any of Linda Holemans books
November 6, 2021
Loved it! Moving, satisfying, inspiring, and descriptive.
January 15, 2017
I have read all her books,love them...
July 23, 2012
As the daughter of poor medical missionaries in India, Pri Fincastle's life is far from glamorous or easy. There's much to do and she spends her time tending the gardens, learning the languages of the area and helping her parents look after the needs of the villagers who come to the mission for medical relief. There is little occasion for fun or frivolity in her austere upbringing.
As well, the atmosphere at the mission is not a happy one and there is much about her family's strange situation she can't understand. While she recognises her mother's slow descent into madness, it is not until the tragic death of both her parents that she learns part of the dark secret that the mission station holds. That knowledge leads her into even more distressing circumstances and towards the compelling and gripping conclusion.
I can't say this is an enjoyable read--it is often disheartening and depressing--and yet it held me spellbound. Ms. Holeman is an extremely competent writer whose wonderful descriptions bring the hot and sundrenched countryside of India to life. Nevertheless she often has a tendency to be too wordy. A good edit could do wonders for the story as, sometimes in a particularly exciting moment, you just wish she would get to the point.
Just the same, it certainly deserves the four stars I am giving it.
As well, the atmosphere at the mission is not a happy one and there is much about her family's strange situation she can't understand. While she recognises her mother's slow descent into madness, it is not until the tragic death of both her parents that she learns part of the dark secret that the mission station holds. That knowledge leads her into even more distressing circumstances and towards the compelling and gripping conclusion.
I can't say this is an enjoyable read--it is often disheartening and depressing--and yet it held me spellbound. Ms. Holeman is an extremely competent writer whose wonderful descriptions bring the hot and sundrenched countryside of India to life. Nevertheless she often has a tendency to be too wordy. A good edit could do wonders for the story as, sometimes in a particularly exciting moment, you just wish she would get to the point.
Just the same, it certainly deserves the four stars I am giving it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews