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The Splendor of Silence
When Sam Hawthorne, a twenty-five-year-old U.S. Army captain, arrives at the princely state of Rudrakot in May of 1942, it is on a personal quest to find his missing brother. But Sam's mission is soon threatened by the unlikeliest of sources -- he falls hopelessly in love with Mila, daughter of the local political agent. And Mila, unexpectedly attracted to Sam, finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and the man she loves. A sweeping and poignant story of forbidden love, The Splendor of Silence opens twenty-one years later with Olivia, Sam's daughter, receiving a trunk of treasures from India, along with an anonymous letter that finally fills the silences of her childhood. She finally learns the heartrending story of her parents' passionate and enduring love affair -- throwing them in the path of racial prejudice, nationalist intrigue, and the explosive circumstances of a country on the brink of independence from British rule.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
52 people are currently reading
1789 people want to read
About the author
Indu Sundaresan
12 books1,069 followersIndu Sundaresan was born in India and grew up on Air Force bases all over the country. Her father, a fighter pilot, was also a storyteller—managing to keep his audiences captive and rapt with his flair for drama and timing. He got this from his father, Indu's grandfather, whose visits were always eagerly awaited. Indu's love of stories comes from both of them, from hearing their stories based on imagination and rich Hindu mythology, and from her father's writings.
After an undergraduate degree in economics from India, Indu came to the U.S. for graduate school at the University of Delaware. But all too soon, the storytelling gene beckoned.
After an undergraduate degree in economics from India, Indu came to the U.S. for graduate school at the University of Delaware. But all too soon, the storytelling gene beckoned.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
November 28, 2015
This was a soppy romance set at the end of the british raj. I never felt connected to the main characters, and the story just seamed to long. On the whole the story was mildly interesting so I give it 3 stars. Also, the book has all the ingredients of an epic romance/blockbuster type movie.
March 9, 2017
At the moment I'm devouring books about India, and this one definitely satisfied. Overall, the time covered in the book is no more than a week (spread over April/May 1942 and April 1963), but the author skilfully packs a lot into such a short amount of time.
Primarily, it is a book about infatuation and obsession. These are things such as money (Ken), lust and sex (Mila, Sam and others), power (Vimal), reputation (Kiran) and human companionship (Jai). The collision of these obsessions drives the events forward in a snowball motion towards the climax of the book.
It's a very delicious book. The attention to detail is superb and doesn't jar at all. Even the constant switching between the events in Burma and those in Rudrakot is done so well that it didn't annoy me - it was like peeling away layers piece by piece until the truth was revealed.
I will say that it was quite a predictable plot in many ways, though there were some surprises (I won't mention which).
The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that I'm not a fan of "omniscient" narrative - ie where the narrator is clearly part of the story but knows absolutely everything, even the things he shouldn't. I also felt that there was one loose end left untied, and that was how Raman (the father) reacted to all the events. His character is wonderfully fleshed out in the beginning of the the book, but by the end he is hardly mentioned.
Even so, I enjoyed reading it and I would heartily recommend it.
Primarily, it is a book about infatuation and obsession. These are things such as money (Ken), lust and sex (Mila, Sam and others), power (Vimal), reputation (Kiran) and human companionship (Jai). The collision of these obsessions drives the events forward in a snowball motion towards the climax of the book.
It's a very delicious book. The attention to detail is superb and doesn't jar at all. Even the constant switching between the events in Burma and those in Rudrakot is done so well that it didn't annoy me - it was like peeling away layers piece by piece until the truth was revealed.
I will say that it was quite a predictable plot in many ways, though there were some surprises (I won't mention which).
The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that I'm not a fan of "omniscient" narrative - ie where the narrator is clearly part of the story but knows absolutely everything, even the things he shouldn't. I also felt that there was one loose end left untied, and that was how Raman (the father) reacted to all the events. His character is wonderfully fleshed out in the beginning of the the book, but by the end he is hardly mentioned.
Even so, I enjoyed reading it and I would heartily recommend it.
February 23, 2012
What a satisfying experience to hear this book read by Sneha Mathan on the audio version of this well written book. Since the story takes place in India I appreciated the Indian accent and lilting quality of the the reader's voice. That, coupled, with a well orchestrated, interesting, and well researched story provided the basis for my high opinion.
Every chapter begins with a quote about "The Raj experience" either from a British or Indian perspective. This background information added to the depth of the book by providing information that the reader might not have previously known. It also helped to set the backdrop for the struggles each of the main characters faced.
I hate reviews that give away the story line, and unfortunately, the synopsis of the book, on the back cover, gives most everything away. How I wish that practice would end! That being said, if you like an intricately woven book that challenges your own perceptions about race, caste, history, and life; this book is for you. Just don't read the other reviews that share the plot.
Every chapter begins with a quote about "The Raj experience" either from a British or Indian perspective. This background information added to the depth of the book by providing information that the reader might not have previously known. It also helped to set the backdrop for the struggles each of the main characters faced.
I hate reviews that give away the story line, and unfortunately, the synopsis of the book, on the back cover, gives most everything away. How I wish that practice would end! That being said, if you like an intricately woven book that challenges your own perceptions about race, caste, history, and life; this book is for you. Just don't read the other reviews that share the plot.
February 5, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. The captivating story is excellently narrated with so much ease by the author!
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February 8, 2009The Splendor of Silence, by Indu Sundarisan narrated by Sneha Mathan, produced by Blackstone Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Most of the story of this book took place in 1942 WW II India where the battle between British imperialism and Indian nationalism was beginning to come to the fore, and in fact held more interest for the Indians, at least, than the war with Japan. Sam Hawthorne, an American army captain, comes to India on a secret mission, to find his brother, Mike, who people say has gone AWOL. Mike has gotten himself involved with the nationalist movement and is being held prisoner by some rogue British officers. Sam’s objectives were interrupted when he met and fell in love with Mila, a middle-class Indian girl educated in England. But Mila’s father has arranged a marriage for Mila. So Mila’s and Sam’s love was doomed from the first. This is a story of passions leading to tragedy. It reminds me in many ways of the Raj quartet by Paul Scott, written also about 1942. Very good, and very well narrated.
Most of the story of this book took place in 1942 WW II India where the battle between British imperialism and Indian nationalism was beginning to come to the fore, and in fact held more interest for the Indians, at least, than the war with Japan. Sam Hawthorne, an American army captain, comes to India on a secret mission, to find his brother, Mike, who people say has gone AWOL. Mike has gotten himself involved with the nationalist movement and is being held prisoner by some rogue British officers. Sam’s objectives were interrupted when he met and fell in love with Mila, a middle-class Indian girl educated in England. But Mila’s father has arranged a marriage for Mila. So Mila’s and Sam’s love was doomed from the first. This is a story of passions leading to tragedy. It reminds me in many ways of the Raj quartet by Paul Scott, written also about 1942. Very good, and very well narrated.
February 14, 2008
The ending in this book made me mad (I kind of naively wanted a happy ending) otherwise I would give it four stars. I did appreciate how all the characters came together in the end though. I wasn't too sure why Marianne was given so much attention until the end. I really ended up loving her character.
I loved Sam's character and his devotion to finding his lost brother. And of course I loved Mila and their tragic love story. Why does it have to be tragic? Argh!!
For my conservative type friends, there is brief sexuality in this book. I totally didn't appreciate it but I can skim quicky over gross parts. I guess I'm conservative too.
I loved Sam's character and his devotion to finding his lost brother. And of course I loved Mila and their tragic love story. Why does it have to be tragic? Argh!!
For my conservative type friends, there is brief sexuality in this book. I totally didn't appreciate it but I can skim quicky over gross parts. I guess I'm conservative too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. I read the author's first book, Twentieth Wife, which has a sequel but did not feel compelled enough to read the sequel. I'm glad I read this one though (the author's third). It shows how the author is growing in her writing skills and was just a very nice book to read. I enjoyed it. I can't give it a 5 because there were some things I felt were missing from the story, but overall, it was very enjoyable.
May 24, 2016
Ljubavna priča koja je trajala samo četiri dana promijenila je sve. Na 500 strana Indu je uspjela smjestiti prekrasnu priču, prelijepe opise Indije, njihove običaje i sukobe. Upravo sam završila sa čitanjem a već znam da će mi dugo nedostajati ovi likovi iz knjige.
October 25, 2024
La structure de ce livre est un peu particulière mais je l'ai beaucoup aimé.
July 27, 2011
In 1963 Seattle a grieving daughter opens a mysterious trunk. There she finds buried among silk saris, jewelry, and trinkets, a story. The story she has been waiting all her life to hear. The story of the American father who raised her and the Indian mother she never knew. In the early days of Americas involvement in WWII Captain Sam Hawthorne of the 3rd Burma Rangers embarks on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines to locate a stranded American missionary and escort her through the jungles of Burma to the relative safety of India. Sam arrives in India exahusted and injured but he has another mission; to find his brother, an enlistee with the British Rudrakot Rifles, who has been missing for over 2 months. We soon learn that "Captain Hawthorne" is an officer of the fledgling OSS and plans to use the skills he's learned in the OSS to discover the fate of his brother. He has just 4 days in Rudrakot to accomplish his goal but finds himself drawn into the lives of his hosts family and falling desperately in love with Mila, the daughter of the Indian political agent with whom he is staying. Although the consumation of thier love is a foregone conclusion, after all we meet their daughter in the opening passages, the author so expertly builds the sexual tension between them that it is nearly unbearable. Sam and Mila are like two halves of the same coin, both torn between their feelings and desires, and their familial obligations. The story of their growing love is set against the backdrop of the casual cruelty and bigotry of the British Raj, the growing nationalistic movement for India's independence, and Sam's increasing fear for his brother who he now believes is a prisoner in the nearby Field Punishment Center. The threads of all these stories are expertly woven together, the characters richly and sympathetically drawn, and the writing lyrical. A beautiful story and tremendously satisfying read! I would also highly recommend the authors earlier books: The Twentieth Wife and The Feast of Roses.
November 10, 2011
I wasn't sure I would like this when I first started reading this book; the first chapter had a corny letter narration thing happening, where the person writing kept rambling and generally sounded nothing like a letter a real person would write (instead sounding like an author trying to pretend to sound like a person writing a letter). But once the real story kicked in, I got sucked into it. Lots of description of India, habits, settings, culture, and class/racial struggles, but just when I started getting tired of the exposition, the story would move along a little further. On the plus side, all that exposition stretched out the length of the story, so that even though the majority of the story in India only occurred over the course of 4 days, it felt like much longer. As a result, I could believe that the main hero fell in love with the Indian girl in such a short time because it felt like weeks.
So yes...this story is on the slower side. But it was engrossing, stuffed with culture, racism and prejudice, rebellion, love, forbidden love, politics, and hidden agendas. There were sandstorms, daring rescues, traitors, shooting and disguises, princes, prisons, and British white trash. Oh, and Japanese and crawling through Burmese jungles while injured, starving, and high. Lots of things happening. And the American protagonist was interesting, intelligent, driven but not outwardly extreme; in essence, a calm, steady, approachable character that I found myself liking as soon as he showed up.
When the story wrapped up, the letter-writing narration kicked back in and I discovered that it was supposed to be a man writing when all this time I assumed it was a woman. Ha! But I won't hold that against the author. I think this book might make a fascinating mini-series by BBC. I'd totally watch it. :D
So yes...this story is on the slower side. But it was engrossing, stuffed with culture, racism and prejudice, rebellion, love, forbidden love, politics, and hidden agendas. There were sandstorms, daring rescues, traitors, shooting and disguises, princes, prisons, and British white trash. Oh, and Japanese and crawling through Burmese jungles while injured, starving, and high. Lots of things happening. And the American protagonist was interesting, intelligent, driven but not outwardly extreme; in essence, a calm, steady, approachable character that I found myself liking as soon as he showed up.
When the story wrapped up, the letter-writing narration kicked back in and I discovered that it was supposed to be a man writing when all this time I assumed it was a woman. Ha! But I won't hold that against the author. I think this book might make a fascinating mini-series by BBC. I'd totally watch it. :D
August 21, 2012
I found it quite difficult initially to get into this book. The story line was slow, and it was a little overly descriptive. I think if I was more familiar with the British rule of India, and its history in general, I would feel more connection to the plot.
In the middle of the novel, when my husband asked how it was, I replied that I was reading it just to finish it. About 3/4 of the way through I found the 'Somewhere in Burma' storyline quite compelling, and very close to the end I was finally engaged in the book.
Upon reflection, I enjoyed the entwining story lines, but I found it odd that the author completely neglected the character introduced at the beginning. I realize that the story was that of her parents, but I expected to know her reaction to her parents, and that never happened.
I'm glad I read it, as I enjoy the historical aspects and like I mentioned, I don't know anything about the British Rule in India, but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to anyone.
In the middle of the novel, when my husband asked how it was, I replied that I was reading it just to finish it. About 3/4 of the way through I found the 'Somewhere in Burma' storyline quite compelling, and very close to the end I was finally engaged in the book.
Upon reflection, I enjoyed the entwining story lines, but I found it odd that the author completely neglected the character introduced at the beginning. I realize that the story was that of her parents, but I expected to know her reaction to her parents, and that never happened.
I'm glad I read it, as I enjoy the historical aspects and like I mentioned, I don't know anything about the British Rule in India, but I'm not sure if I would recommend it to anyone.
August 24, 2012
The Splendor of Silence is a sweet romantic story, woven into the period where India was still under British Rule.
It starts off with Olivia, an American girl, getting a trunk filled with her Indian mother’s belongings. She has grown up with her grandmother and father, who has always been curiously quiet about her mother. In the trunk, she finds a letter which begins to tell her the story of her parents.
It was 1942, Mila, the daughter of the Political Resident, Raman, is betrothed to Jai, the Prince of Rudrakot. Raman, is a widower, with 3 children, 2 boys and a girl – Mila. He dotes upon Mila, giving her opportunities that most Indian parents would have balked at, in those times. He is determined that his daughter has the opportunities that his wife did not. More here - http://wordsndreamz.wordpress.com/201...
It starts off with Olivia, an American girl, getting a trunk filled with her Indian mother’s belongings. She has grown up with her grandmother and father, who has always been curiously quiet about her mother. In the trunk, she finds a letter which begins to tell her the story of her parents.
It was 1942, Mila, the daughter of the Political Resident, Raman, is betrothed to Jai, the Prince of Rudrakot. Raman, is a widower, with 3 children, 2 boys and a girl – Mila. He dotes upon Mila, giving her opportunities that most Indian parents would have balked at, in those times. He is determined that his daughter has the opportunities that his wife did not. More here - http://wordsndreamz.wordpress.com/201...
January 13, 2008
About 3/4 into the book, I didn't know how Sundaresan was going to reconcile all the different storylines, but she was able to do so beautifully by the end of the book. This novel took a fascinating period of history (British occupation of India and the established nationalist movement), and combined it with personal story of one family and how this period in India's history affected them all. Though fiction, I learned a lot about the struggle for freedom, and fragility of human relations in India at that time.
April 28, 2014
I give the story, it's rich history, the colorful nature of the narrative, the depth a 3.5-4 start rating. The narration of the audio book is amazing. Simply amazing. The middle of the story seems lost, stuck as if the author had a page count in mind and set about to stretch and bloat the story to achieve it. Much of the middle of the this book is not needed. I almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't. This book hooked me early-- but almost lost me during the boring middle...
November 19, 2008
This book was really interesting; about India during WWII era. There is a lot of commentary on the Indian-British social struggles. The story has everything: romance, action, and drama. I really enjoy reading Sundaresan's books. This was every bit as good as "The Twentieth Wife" and "The Feast of Roses."
January 24, 2008
By far my favorite read last year. The characters were developed well and the description of India was realisticaly romantic. The story is set in India during the decline of British rule. This love story is mixed well with historic events beginning in the 1940s. I've never read 400 pages so fast!
November 30, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. Most of the book is a flashback to 1942 India and Burma, where an American soldier and a fairly privileged young Indian woman form a brief attachment that results in the birth of a daughter. It is played out against the backdrop of WWII and the Indian Nationalist movement. There's a lot of historical and cultural detail, as well as very good writing.
March 13, 2008
What a great storyteller. I was drawn in almost from the beginning and the ending so neatly (but not tritely) pulled everything together. I do hope she writes a sequel, as she mentions in the author interview. Now I'm going to get The Twentieth Wife...
May 29, 2008
I really like this author a lot and have read her 2 other books. I went through this book really quickly. My only complaint is that it ends kind of abruptly...it definitely needs a sequel. The author hints at one at the end so I'll be on the lookout!
November 24, 2008
I looove this book! It's epic, romantic, and heart breaking. Set in British colonized India in the early 20th century an Indian woman and an American soldier fall in love amidst racism and political turmoil.
September 16, 2009
Very interesting to read about India during the time when Britain occupied it and Japan was at was with them. The food the culture the scenery. Sounded stunning. Very well written and most of all a beatiful love story.
March 27, 2007
Another good book by Indu Sundaresan. While her previous two books dealt with Mughal India, this takes placces in india during the British Raj around WW2.
June 7, 2007
After reading her other two books about the Mughal period of India, this one was a different twist, and different writing style. I enjoyed the story nonetheless..
September 15, 2007
Great book for it's genre! For the third time in a row, Sundaresan does not disappoint. If you like romantic historical fiction, you'll like this.
January 27, 2008
Another outstanding book that allows you to feel and visualize the scenary and the characters. I really enjoyed this book.
February 12, 2008
Nice love story set in India during World War II.
February 27, 2008
really enjoyed this one. It was kind of a mystery....many stories woven together. Loved the setting. A good fun read.
June 7, 2008
Fantastic! I don't know what I'm going to do now without another Indu Sundaresan book to read. She is by far one of my favorite authors if not MY FAVORITE AUTHOR!
June 5, 2008
This book is a great mix of history and romance-fiction. I learned a lot about the subtle horrors of the Raj in the 1940's.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews