A Thread of Light: A heart-wrenching WW2 historical novel of betrayal, sacrifice, and the fight for Indian independence during the Blitz

by Neema Shah

A story of sacrifice and betrayal during the Blitz, A Thread of Light is the stunning second novel by Neema Shah, author of Kololo Hill.

'Not just a story of two very different women trying to survive the Second World War, A Thread of Light brings to life a part of British history that is less well known.' - Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

'With its rich blend of history, culture and intoxicating sensory detail, readers of historical fiction are sure to love it' – Carolyn O'Brien, author of The Song of Peterloo

London, 1941.

As the city thrums with Blitz bombers, lonely air raid warden Ruby is drawn into the unfamiliar world of the India Forum, where a group of Londoners are working tirelessly to free India from British rule.

Ruby has her own secret motives for joining the fight, but when she meets Satyajit, charming, aloof, and potentially dangerous, she finds herself torn between head and heart.

Lawyer Kitty is helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. Having left her family behind in Bombay to marry the man she loves, now she risks losing him as well.

As Kitty and Ruby’s lives collide, the threat of violence closes in. Just how far are they willing to go for the people they love?

Readers are loving A Thread of Light:'An extraordinary novel that captured my heart and mind from the very first page' *****
'This is a fascinating and compelling read' *****
'An unforgettable, heart-wrenching tale of love and sacrifice . . . I cannot recommend this book highly enough' *****
'This book really touched me' *****

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2025

About the author

Neema Shah's novel Kololo Hill was chosen as a 2021 Pick for Foyles, The Daily Mail, The Irish Times and Cosmopolitan.

She was born and raised in London. Her grandparents left India for East Africa in the 1940s. Kololo Hill is inspired by their lives, as well as those who were expelled from Uganda by brutal ruler Idi Amin. Before publication, Kololo Hill won The Literary Consultancy Pen Factor Live, was shortlisted for the Bath Novel Award and First Novel Prize and was longlisted for various other writing awards.

After studying law at university, Neema built a career in marketing, specialising in TV, digital and brand strategy for companies including the BBC. She has always been an avid reader, but rekindled her early love of writing in 2015 while doing a short online course. She also once ran away to join a circus in New York, but that’s a story for another time…

Reviews

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a British-born Indian with Kenyan-born Indian parents, I am always drawn to stories that relate to my home country and the Commonwealth countries, and the premise of this novel really piqued my interest.
I enjoy reading WW2-related stories, but I have never read one that focuses on Indians in Britain. This book shone a light on a part of the war era that I wasn't even aware of.
The story centres around Ruby, an air raid warden, and Kitty, a lawyer. Both have connections to India.
Ruby is half Indian but has never made this public knowledge, and hasn't had to as she favours her English mother in looks, rather than her Indian father.
Hindu Kitty moved to England with her Muslim husband from Bombay after defying her family and marrying out of her religion.
Their stories collide when Ruby finds herself drawn to the India Forum and begins attending meetings where Indians in England are supporting their home country by continuing to campaign for India's independence from the British Empire. Kitty is already a member of the group, however she doesn't trust the stranger in their midst, who doesn't look like them.
I know it is fictional, but it has highlighted a situation that I was unaware of, and I feel compelled to learn more. The occupation of India, and the subsequent independence and partition are such sore topics, right to this day, and the mode of story is just one way to educate those who don't know.
A passionately told story featuring prejudices, love, suspicion, trust, and the questioning of loyalties.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC.

[Klaire Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah is set in London during the Second World War and is told from the points of view of Ruby and Kitty. Ruby works as an air raid warden and Kitty works for the India Forum who are campaigning for independence from the British in India.

It is not an area of history I am overly familiar with and so not sure how historically accurate it may be, however as a novel it is very enjoyable. The characters are well written and feel like they could have been real people. The story its2lf is well paced and I would recommend reading it.

[The Assassin's Quill · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4/5 stars - spoiler free review

This book really caught me off guard in the best way. It’s set during WWII but not in the usual trenches and battlefields kind of way. We follow Ruby, British born, raised in London but with Indian heritage, and Kitty, a woman from India who’s come to London to fight for her country’s independence. Seeing both perspectives side by side was brilliant. Their stories couldn’t be more different, but the way they’re woven together? So good!

The pacing was spot on. Nothing dragged, nothing felt like filler, the whole book just flowed really well.

As someone who’s a British born Indian with Kenyan-born parents, a lot of the topics in this book hit close to home. The constant push and pull of identity, and the pressure to belong to two cultures that often contradict each other, it all felt really familiar.

What really stood out was how the book explored these layered power struggles and the hypocrisy at the heart of them. There’s this massive fight for India’s freedom from British rule, but at the same time, so many people within India, especially women, had so little freedom in their own lives. Arranged marriages within the same religion, being expected to become housewives, having no say in their careers or futures… the irony is hard to miss. And then there’s the internal conflict. Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists. Often at odds, yet uniting against a common enemy. That unity mattered, but it was temporary. Because once the colonisers left, all those divides and restrictions stayed. The book doesn’t shy away from showing how freedom looks different depending on who you are and for some, it’s more of a dream than reality.

And despite the depth of what it tackles, it’s a super readable book. It's thought-provoking without being too heavy. Quietly powerful and one I’ll be thinking about for a while 💛

Thank you to BookBreak at PanMacmillan for gifting me this book. All opinions remain my own.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses on a part of the World War II story I haven't read about in a novel before - those who, whilst in the midst of WWII, continued the campaign for Indian independence from the UK.

Kitty is an Oxford educated barrister who has moved to London with her husband Haseeb to assist in the independence cause, leaving an India where her Hindu family has disowned her for marrying a Muslim man.

Ruby is an air raid warden in the blitz who spends her nights responding to air raids and taking risks she shouldn't. She comes across the India Forum in the course of her duties and is gradually drawn into the cause, especially after meeting the charming Satyajit.

Prejudice in all its forms shapes the lives of the characters. Despite being qualified and experienced (and in possession of a cut glass accent), Kitty cannot practice as a barrister in the UK. Haseeb is being called up to fight for a country that wants him to risk death in its name but won't grant his own country democracy. Ruby aspires to better things but has her own difficult past to contend with.

There are also tensions within the movement itself between those who continue to advocate for peaceful campaigning, and those who believe violence is the only way forward. During the course of the novel both Kitty and Ruby are tested and come more fully into themselves. While there are no easy answers - the book itself being grounded in the real life struggle for Indian independence and results of that - I found the ending satisfying and the book will stay with me for a while.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Girish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neema Shah’s Thread of Light takes on a refreshingly different canvas—Indians in the UK during the Second World War, caught between the urgency of the fight against fascism and the quieter, persistent struggle for India’s independence. The perspective, particularly through two strong women at the center—Ruby and Kitty—feels fresh and overdue in historical fiction.

The novel alternates between their voices, but the narrative never quite makes their relationship feel organic. Instead of two threads weaving into a strong fabric, the strands remain parallel—interesting on their own, but never forming the closeness I kept expecting. I did not understand Ruby's initial positioning and how it helped her character arc.

Aspects like arguing for Indians not fighting for the British in the war or supporting the Nazis Germany were interesting as a reader. Also, I did not know much about the Bengal man-made draught caused to deter Japanese forces from marching in through the east!

Characters like Satyajit stretch believability with their unguarded trust, especially in the charged political and personal climate the book is set in. His choices, particularly towards the end, did not seem logical —settling for something smaller, safer, and far less glorious. The India Forum cause, too, seemed diluted by the finish, losing the urgency and fire it began with.

That said, Shah succeeds in shining a light on a rarely explored time and place, and on the overlooked Indian presence in wartime Britain. For that reason alone, the book deserves attention.

[tejal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was pitched incorrectly, I was expecting more of a romance focused novel based off the blurb but this was more of a political novel exploring what it was like to live in wartime Britain as an British Asian fighting for India's freedom. That's not a bad thing per se, it's just not what I was expecting.

For the most part, I found the political themes too heavy and not organic enough - parts of the novel felt like a treatise about what the British did to India which I appreciate is important to highlight but it didn't feel natural. I like that the book showcased the struggles of South Asians and the challenges of being forced to assimilate, I found that quite relatable.

The writing was strong, the prose was enjoyable to read but the characters fell flat for me. I also felt that the plot meandered and the ending wasn't conclusive.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read about identity, particularly if you were part of the British Empire, even if you had the British nationality. Not everyone was considered British... In the case of this novel, being Indian shows different variations of the concept of identity. Not only for the Indians among themselves (and that was particularly interesting!), but also for the British people at large as well as the law.....
With the Second World War as the background in London, I was surprised to learn that many efforts were being done towards the independence of India at that time. This novel shows all kinds of means striving to gind a way to Independence whether they were pacifist or violent according to the individual. I found this fascinating ! I felt though that a date of year at the beginning of each chapter would have given a better idea of what happened.
A great read that brings the reader to reflect. I highly recommend it.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 ⭐️ Unfortunately, I could not connect with this story. The premise was very strong, and the description had a lot of potential. I will say that the writer was appropriately expressive, and the details did not lack when it came to depictions. I am a big WW2, and historical fiction reader, and was disappointed that this was not how I thought the story would progress. It was more leaning towards shedding light on the Indian and Kenyan-born British population, their cultural differences and the tribulations that they faced as Muslims in the time period they were in. I cannot in good conscious give this book a good rating - as it failed to deliver on what it was advertising (IMO).

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this free eARC and the opportunity to review this book honestly.

[Silverboggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this London based WWII story with an unusual perspective. It focuses around fictional members of the India Forum in London and their endlessly patient fight for independence for India- trying to persuade the right hearts and minds that Britain needed to release its hold on their country. The narrative is told through two strong female perspectives- both part of the India Forum and independence fight and both characters with interesting back stories and reasons for their involvement. The reader sees a spectrum of approaches to the task of gaining independence through their eyes.

Engaging read, and I would highly recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah is not your typical World War 2 set historical fiction, instead it looks at that era from the perspective of two women involved in the struggle for Indian independence from British colonisation. The book is set in London in 1941, and centres on the stories of two women, Ruby and Kitty. Ruby is an air raid warden who spends her nights looking for survivors (and occasionally anything worth stealing ) in the bombed out city while Kitty is a frustrated lawyer who longs to be able to work more and is desperate to help Indian citizens fight forced conscription into the British army, a fight that becomes even more personal when her own husband is called up for service. At first it seems the two women have little in common and in fact Kitty is surprised and suspicious about Ruby's attendance at the India forum. Ruby is hiding a secret however and between that and her growing attraction to the mysterious and dangerous Satyajit, she finds herself drawn into the fight.
I enjoyed the fresh perspective on this time period and reading this book has inspired me to seek out more information about the struggle for Indian Independence but I cannot help but feel like there was something lacking in the book overall. I think the characters, particularly Kitty needed more development, there was a stronger focus on educating the reader about the history than having them be compelled by the characters or the storytelling. The historical detail is interesting and I thought the depiction of the racism experienced by the characters was really well done, using the different backgrounds of the characters very cleverly.
Overall I found the book interesting and would recommend it to those looking for something a little different in the genre.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

Set in World War II London, this book not only shines light on the impact of war but also on an incredibly important and overlooked part of history, the Indian Independence movement. A Thread of Light is narrated through two points of view, Ruby and Kitty, and explores the struggles of fighting for India’s independence, challenges tied to stereotypes and prejudice, and the impact of the war.

Through Ruby’s POV of her work as an air raid warden, we are given a glimpse of the atrocities caused by the Blitz bombers and the effects this has on her mentally. Kitty and Ruby's POV's connect when Ruby, driven by curiosity, joins the Indian Forum, where Kitty volunteers.

This book approaches the racism and prejudice of skin colour. Kitty has faced constant judgment for being Indian in London, even resorting to dressing up in expensive clothes to secure a home by avoiding stereotypes. This book vividly highlights the challenges Indians faced in London during this time, even for those like Kitty, who were articulate and well-educated. Ruby, who does not share her father's darker complexion, initially chooses to keep this hidden from everyone she knows. However, she gradually embraces her identity and takes pride in fighting for India's independence.

This book captures the emotions and thoughts of the desperation of wanting freedom, how people approach it in different ways and how they can become dangerous and desperate. A lot of this book is inspired by or based on real events and people, it has taught me so much and I am very grateful to have been given the chance to read this early. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in this part of history.

[Nimrit Rajasansi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1941 in London and the city is constantly being blitzed by the Germans in the war that the Brits thought would be over in a matter of months.

As London burns, Air Raid Warden Ruby finds herself drawn to the India Forum, which is in her patch, and gets entangled in the fight for Indian Independence. Intrigued by the mysterious freedom fighter Satyajit, she find herself in some potentially dangerous situations.

On the other hand, some are taking a more formal and legal route to freedom, like Kitty, who is a highly trained lawyer in India, but has found herself doing clerk work in England. Her fight consists of helping Indian men avoid conscription into a war that is not theirs. Kitty has already sacrificed her family due to her inconvenient mixed marriage and struggles with what the conscription could mean for her own husband.

As Kitty and Ruby's lives start entangling at the India Forum, they both have to decide what is the best way to fight for Independence when the world is distracted with a war.

Wow! What a second novel from Neema, always highlighting the untold stories. This is the first time I have ever read or seen the South Asian experience in WWII, as most British schools don't teach us that Indians, and many other colonised countries were forced to fight in a European World War.

This was a great insight into how many Indians had a split view on how to fight for Independence, whether peacefully or provocatively. This novel shone a light into the unknown dynamics of the relationship between the Brits and Indians.

I felt like I had learnt so much more than I knew around the Indian experience of WWII as I have only known the British version. I encourage you all to read this story to see another side, as this was only one step towards Indian Independence which finally happened in 1947.

Overall an important and impactful story that taught me so much. I really want to thank neema for sending me an early copy to review.

Favourite quote(s):
"When people heard Papa had only one daughter, they would commiserate. Smiles fading, muttering that 'God blesses us in different ways.' Her father had had no choice; he had been forced to become liberal whether he liked it or not".

[Paterson Loarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like most about A Thread of Light is the creative way author Neema Shah has used tiny details of everyday life. Her painstaking research brings to life a tumultuous period which was at risk of being forgotten. Food, clothes, travel, education, sport – every aspect of the experiences of Indians living abroad during the struggle for independence is explored.
The story is told from the points of view of two young women living in London at the height of WW2. Indian national Kitty has taken refuge in London with her Muslim husband Haseeb, after being rejected by her Hindu family because of their inter-faith marriage. She is an Oxford educated barrister, but due to misogyny and racism she is unable to land a job which is appropriate to her ability level. Ruby, a working-class air raid warden who is the daughter of an Indian father and White English mother, is keen to explore her Indian heritage. Both women must face enormous challenges. Ruby courageously faces the horrors of the Blitz while trying to cope with a family bereavement and hiding a dark secret. Kitty’s biggest problem is loneliness. She has one female English friend from university who invites her to parties, but this only makes her feel like the token foreigner.
Kitty and Ruby meet at the India Forum, an organisation set up by expatriate Indians to promote the cause of Indian independence. Unfortunately, no two members of the Forum agree on how to achieve this objective. The women are not drawn to each other and have only minimal contact, until Ruby’s attraction to the brooding Satyajit begins to affect the group and the cause they share.
I recommend A Thread of Light for its original and illuminating view of a small but meaningful chunk of colonial history.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an emotive and intriguing historical fiction that follows two women during the height of the Blitz. Ruby is an air raid warden. After years of hiding her Indian heritage, she is drawn into the movement to free India from British rule, and meets the fierce Jit. Kitty left India with her husband, after their families rejected their marriage. Finding herself alone and mistrusted in England, she joins the campaign for a Free India, desperately trying to convince her colleagues that the country shouldn’t be split down religious lines. As the war rages on, the women are thrown together and find themselves facing the devastation of both countries.

This was a brilliant read - the blurred lines between the Second World War and the fight for a free India made for a compelling read, beautifully illustrating the characters’ conflicted status - looked down on by many, and seen as ‘different’, but still expected to fight for ‘their’ country and do their bit. The build up to Partition is fascinating, and a reminder that world peace wasn’t the outcome of the War. It’s a mindful read at the 80th anniversary of the conflict, and a window into a lesser-known story of those who ‘did their bit’. I really enjoyed it, and I also learned a lot. Kitty and Ruby were both strong, interesting characters. If you’re into history, this is absolutely one for your TBR!

[Haxxunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitious historical thriller with British Indian heroines
—
A historical novel set during WWII but in London, and with a focus on the Indian independence movement? Sign me up! Unable to practice as a lawyer, Hindu Kitty focuses her energy on her colleagues at the India Forum while supporting her Muslim husband in his work. Half-Indian Ruby is an air raid warden who takes her position seriously but who finds her curiosity piqued when she attends a meeting at the India Forum and becomes embroiled with the multitude of characters there, trying to find common ground in their mutual fight for Indian independence. As the two women become more and more entwined in the political danger of the cause, the added turmoil around the war and the intrusion of government agents builds the tension, until violence is inevitable.

Shah makes a great attempt at highlighting a lesser-known strand of WWII history but the book has to do a lot of work with few foundations: a relatively unknown perspective on British India before partition is juxtaposed with the Home Front and the Blitz, and then also has to give us the context of Kitty’s psychological journey from India to London, and also Ruby’s story of her hidden Indian heritage. It’s a lot and perhaps might have benefited from a more expansive novel that wasn’t so centred on London; but the story rollicks along, more thriller than saga.

[Joy Bosworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thread of  Light by Nerma Shah is a fascinating  book.

Here in the UK we are aware of the Raj and of Partition but not with the depth and detail  of someone who lived through the events leading up to it.


Keerthanaben is a modern, educated woman who leaves her family and settles in London at the time of the blitz because  she loves a man her family  find unacceptable.


She is an Oxford-educated barrister who becomes Kitty who is consigned to making tea for Free India meetings.


On the surface she has little in common with Ruby a grasping ARP warden but the war pulls them both in to  tragedies and tumult and much heart searching.


Should a man who came to the UK to fight for Indian Independence  be expected to be compelled fight for the alien country?


Meanwhile  as the war progresses it becomes  apparent that before long many Indians will die of starvation as rice is seized from those who most need it.


Kitty develops a dual identity as a cultivated lady in her fox fur or a sari wearing protester. Ruby also has a dual role to play. Both are likeable characters and draw the reader into their lives.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thread of light by Neema Shah is set WW2 in London. The two main character Ruby and Kitty. They are both of Indian descent. Ruby is an Air raid warden and has seen many fatalities during that time and Kitty works at the Indian Forum where they are campaigning for Independence from the British in India. This is where they both meet. Kitty is also a Lawyer but cannot practice in London and lives with her Muslim Husband Haseeb. Who is just been conscripted to fight for the British even though they can’t get their own independence. They left India because they were ostracized because Kitty is Hindu.
Although I enjoyed this historical WW2 novel which shows the different aspect of the lives in that time. I felt that it was bogged down with too much Politics and Conscription of Asian people and the independence of India at that time. I was expecting a more lighted hearted read due to being a historical novel, and this was far from it. Sorry, a got a bit too heavy for me personally towards the later quarter of the book and I started skipping paragraphs. 3.5 stars from me.

[Heather Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical novel centred around two individuals - Ruby mixed heritage - lonely in London working as an air raid warden and Kitty - from India educated at Oxford and estranged from her family because of marrying a Muslim for love.

It’s 1941 and London is suffering through the Blitz. Kitty is based at the India Forum - a body advocating Indian independence. Here she meets Ruby who is drawn to the organisation as a relief from her loneliness and a means to understand more about her heritage. She meets Satyajit - a radical - and finds herself torn between her heart and her head.

Kitty also faces a dilemma - she defends Indians called up for conscription but her own husband is determined to serve. She is also concerned about the radical activities of individuals like Satyajit and the possible implications on the work of the Forum.

Both are tested and made to question their loyalties and commitments.

I knew very little about the political situation in India at this time - it was interesting to learn more and understand the impact on Indians living in England.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

London 1941. As the city thrums with Blitz bombers, lonely air raid warden, Ruby is drawn into the unfamiliar world of the India Forum, where a group of Londoners are working tirelessly to free India from British rule. Ruby has her own secret motives for joining the fight, but when she meets Sahyajit, charming, aloof, and potentially dangerous, she finds herself torn between head and heart. Lawyer Kitty is helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. Having left her family behind in Bombay to marry the man she loves, now she risks losing him as well. As Kitty and Ruby lives collide, the threat of violence closes in. Just how far is they willing to go for the people they love.

Set in London during WWII. Ruby is an air raid warden, Kitty wrote for the India Forum, This is an interesting and informative read. I haven't read about India's fight for independence before. The story od told from Ruby and Kitty's perspectives. The women cone from different backgrounds. The pace is steady.

Published 10th July 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMacmillan #Picador and the author #NeemaShah for my ARC of #AThreadOfLight in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about this side of world war 2, it’s one that I haven’t seen told before on screen or paper.

Both Kitty and Ruby came from different backgrounds, but both were struggling with the lives they were living in London. They were tested throughout the book and really had strong development.

The tensions within the Indian Forum were high and you never really knew how certain bits would be played out. The book especially in the last third got a lot more emotional, which I wasn’t expecting but also considering the first chapter I kind of was (I know a weird situation to be in)

The pacing was even, but I did feel like it lost me a bit in the middle and at times it did feel like the story wasn’t going anywhere.

The ending felt very open ended with no straight answer which I did feel fitted the book with the fight still carrying on for Ruby and Kitty, whilst still giving them the closure they deserve.

Thank you bookbreak and panmacmillian for gifting me a copy of this arc for a review

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking .. I love it when I learn something from a novel!

Whilst London is in the throes of the Blitz, there are a group of people who get together on a regular basis with freedom for India as their purpose. Kitty is a lawyer who is involved helping young Indian men resist conscription while her husband fights for this new country, having left their own behind along with parents who disapprove of their marriage. Ruby has only just begun attending meetings. She has reasons of her own for being there, but that's where she meets Satyajit who is both attractive and dangerous. As Kitty and Ruby's lives collide, the threat of danger closes in - how far will things go?

I am very fond of reading about domestic life during WWII but, I feel quite ashamed to admit, knew nothing about the fight for India's freedom which took place in this country at the same time. There was so much detail in this novel that it took me longer to read that normal as I absorbed everything that was going on and the implications. Having read and enjoyed Neema Shah's Kololo Hill, I was eager to read her latest and it did not disappoint. While a more serious topic, it was beautifully written and very informative all wrapped in a very readable story.. This is a subject I will, perhaps, pursue in future reading. For me, 4* and my recommendation.

[Sharada Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheds light on one of the rarely known parts of colonial history.

Thanks Pan Macmillan | Picador books and NetGalley for the invite to read this ARC! Sorry for the delay in the review. But what better time to do it, than at the cusp of the 79th Indian Independence Day (15th August).

Synopsis-

London, 1941, is at the mercy of the Blitz. Ruby, a young air raid warden gets acquainted with the India Forum, where local Indians are working tirelessly for a free India. It’s here that Ruby, meets the charismatic Satyajit, who is willing to bend the rules to fight for freedom. Kitty, a lawyer with limited opportunities, is helping Indian men challenge getting conscripted to fight for the British in WWII. With Ruby & Kitty’s paths crossing, how far will they go to achieve their goals?

Review-

It’s the setting and the lesser known history that sets this book apart from all other WWII books. As an Indian myself, I hardly knew that Indians in London were joining hands to support India’s freedom movement, working closely with Indian National Congress.

Through the strong female lead characters of Ruby and Kitty, who were women well ahead of their times, Shah explores a fresh perspective of Britain’s role in WWII and how its repercussions affected thousands of Indians, who were needlessly dragged into saving Britain from Hitler, while their own country was enslaved, oppressed and exploited.

With colonialism raging in India, killing millions and the fight for Swaraj peaking, Satyajit, the rebel and extremist that he is, tackles matters recklessly, the effects of which snowball into Kitty and Ruby’s secret endeavors and aspirations.

I loved that Shah also delves into India’s diversity of religions - how unity would be of utmost importance to self-govern once the colonizers left, but how with talks of India’s partition driven primarily by religion, the repercusssions are far and wide.

#AThreadOfLight is all about the true essence of freedom and what it would mean for a country like India, for bold, courageous women like Kitty and Ruby. Sacrifice, hope, loyalty and betrayal will all play out in the end.

Worth a read!

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARP warden Ruby is the daughter of an Indian father and an English mother. She lives life on the edge, stealing from bomb sites but when she meets the charismatic Jit, she starts to reflect on her life. Kitty was a successful Indian barrister but her decision to marry the man she loves meant she was disowned by her father and now is trying to build a life in London. Both women meet at a group dedicated to fighting for Indian independence but the ongoing war is going to affect them in very different ways.
I was rather surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as it pulls together lots of themes about class and religion as well as the fight for Independence. This is placed in the context of London during the Second World War and so it is a rather rich mix. The story rather drags the reader in and the characterisation is drawn really slowly and carefully so by the end I was invested in Ruby and Kitty. Even the ending is not a 'happy ending' but rather one that makes sense with the storyline.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of WW2 historical fiction and think A Thread of Light is a good and enjoyable read. I liked the two main characters, Kitty and Ruby who are of Indian descent and live in London. The author weaves a good story following the two ladies during war time and the fight for independence for their country and heritage. I felt the first part of the story moved a little to slowly for my liking although it did pick up and soon became an engaging and interesting read. The authors writing is good and very descriptive and I could picture the characters in my mind when reading. I really liked the ending, it gives good closure for both characters as they carry on after end of the war. If you like historical fiction that is just a little bit different I think you'd enjoy this and would recommend it.

3.5 stars

[Patricia Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Thread of Light is an interesting well written book based in London during WW2. It is centered around two women. Ruby, a Londoner born and bred and Kitty an Indian immigrant. Ruby is half Indian but can 'pass' as white so has been encouraged to hide her heritage all her life. Kitty on the other hand is an Oxbridge educated lawyer married to another Indian Oxbridge educated lawyer however she is Hindi and he is Muslim. Both women find their lives frustrating in very different ways and are looking for an outlet which they find in the fight for an Independent India going on in wartime central London. I felt this book was a bit difficult to get to grips with. It was interesting but didn't seem to go anywhere. It just meandered around the houses then ended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Carolyn O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiercely passionate and highly original, Neema Shah’s new book A Thread of Light is aptly named, illuminating as it does a fascinating moment in history too often overlooked: the impact of the Second World War on India’s fight for independence.

The story follows the fortunes of two complex young women: Ruby, an ARP warden and a Londoner, restless and searching for more out of life, and Kitty, a highly educated Indian lawyer, exiled from her beloved homeland for marrying the wrong man. Both women are beautifully drawn, wonderfully flawed and always compelling. Yet it is the turbulent context, the fiery politics of resistance embodied in the charismatic freedom-fighter Satyajit and the vivid portrait of a ravaged London which make this novel so enthralling.

With its rich blend of history, culture and intoxicating sensory detail, readers of historical fiction are sure to love it.

[Luisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy books which shine a light on less familiar aspects of history, and this one succeeds in that respect. It focuses on the end of the British Imperial rule in India and the lives of Indian and biracial people living in London. I found it interesting to consider the differing political viewpoints, and the author skilfully shows that there were many ways to see the problem of how to peacefully end the British administration and give India its rightful independence.
The opening chapter was gripping, and I found the central characters interesting, if sometimes hard to like. I never felt that Ruby’s actions at the start were fully explained or justified, and although she grew as a character I never quite managed to fully sympathise with her.
Overall, I felt this was very well written but I didn’t feel along with the main characters as much as I’d have liked to.

[GemsLiteraryGems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty and Habeeb have left India because her Hindu parents have disowned her for marrying a Muslim man, Ruby is an air raid warden in London and after meeting Satyajit, gets drawn into the activities of the India Forum. The book focuses on the campaign for Indian independence from the UK during WWII and delves into the discrimination that people from commonwealth countries faced despite fighting for Britain.

It's an often difficult topic sensitively handled and despite being fiction, it is very educational if, like me, you don't know much about Indian independence. I enjoyed the way the characters developed throughout, particularly how Kitty got a bit more gumption. A good read but certainly not a light topic!

[R Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book on an important overlooked aspect of British colonial history. It looks at the Indian community in the UK during WW2 and their attitudes towards the independence movement ranging from indifference to a call for direct violent action. The book underlines that British colonial rule could be oppressive and exploitative, a fact conveniently forgotten by many today. At a time when opposition to immigration can be vitriolic in intensity, it is also worth remembering that Britain has always had an immigrant population who have contributed enormously to the culture, security and economy in this country. Again, this book is a cogent reminder of this fact. There are some weighty themes here, wrapped up in a readable, well worked story.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second World War and the Indian independence movement in London during the 1940s.
This fictional account of the Indian Union and its fight for independence emphasises the prejudices against foreign nationals and their skin colour. The author has introduced a number of characters, each of whom has different views on how to achieve peace, but none could foresee the eventual split of India and the movement across the borders of Muslim and Hindi alike.

I found this novel a more informative than an enjoyable read, painting a picture of London under attack from enemy bombs and homeland politics.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.