The Temple Dancer

Novels of India #1

by John Speed

India, 1657.
When Maya, a graceful, young temple dancer with a mysterious past, is sold into slavery, she enters a world of intrigue, violence, and forbidden love. Bought by a Portuguese trader and sold as a concubine to the dissolute vizier of Bijapur, she embarks on a treacherous journey.
In a caravan led by the dangerous settlement man Da Gama, she travels by elephant on the hostile road to Bijapur, joined by Geraldo, a Portuguese adventurer, and Pathan, a handsome prince who carries a dark secret. Together with Lucinda, a beautiful, spoiled young Goan heiress, and the manipulative eunuch Slipper, they climb the windswept mountain road through the Western Ghats.
When their caravan is attacked by bandits, the travelers' lives are turned upside down. In the aftermath, Maya and Lucinda suddenly find themselves stranded in a strange, exotic world, a world filled with passion, romance, and deception, pure love and lurking evil, where nothing is as it seems and the two women are faced with great temptation as well as heart-wrenching decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.
Greed, politics, commitment, courage, love, and intolerance mesh to form a vibrant Indian tapestry. With spectacular settings, unforgettable characters, fierce sensuality, and intense scholarship, this adventure-packed novel marks the debut of an exciting new storyteller.
The Temple Dancer is the first volume of John Speed's Indian trilogy, a three-book journey that will cover the final years of the Mogul Empire and the rise of the Marathis under the highwayman Shivaji. It will leave you breathlessly awaiting his next novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, India, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Adventure, Indian Literature

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

John Speed began studying Indian history, art, and religion while still in high school. For more than thirty years, his explorations deepened as he became absorbed in tales of the fall of the Mogul Empire and of the rise of the rebel prince Shivaji. During his many visits to India, he has stood on crumbling battlements, crawled through lightless caves, bathed in sacred rivers, wandered through forgotten gardens, prayed at old mosques and ancient temples, joined in night-long kirtans and qwalis, cheered on ecstatic temple dancers, and laid his head at the feet of hundreds of saints both living and dead, Hindus and Muslims. Speed is a freelance political consultant and journalist who cofounded a successful on-line newspaper. He now lives with his dogs in a very small house overlooking Swami’s Beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. The Temple Dancer is his first novel.

Reviews

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does an excellent job in taking us to 17th century South India. As you read it, you want to read more and get drawn into it. You want to know what happens next. Combine the intrigue with some history, and that makes this book a very interesting read. 

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my humble opinion.. :)...

This book was amazing. I think it's great choice for people who read for escapism, full of adventure, passion.., an exciting story wrapped in the magic of 17th-century-India..

Although, those who are not into India's culture might not like it that much, because it's really a book about India. It's my number one book, not because it's the best book ever written but because the way it made me feel, took me away, to destinations described inside, made me feel like I was there. Yes it started out slow but soon I was drawn into the story, into strong and interesting characters, and I enjoyed their own little stories and personal growth, and the way their paths intertwined, filled with conflicts, passion and desires, hurdles and personal challenges they had to overcome, fighting their own inner battles. But the atmosphere, and magically described places I felt like I actually visited really made my imagination bloom. Reading this book was truly a journey.

India lovers, I highly recommend :)

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. I was up until the late night finishing this wonderful book, just had to get to the end.

The beginning moves along at a fast pace as we find ourselves drawn into the characters of the novel. I felt like I too was languishing on the howdah: the chatter of a thousand birds and the view of the dense overhanging trees so close I could touch them. India was in my soul.
Adventure was just around the corner - I could smell it.

So go the words flowing gracefully out before me. What exploration to be had, but by the middle of the book the pace turned somewhat slower. Was it plot development? Still moving, but more like a hot lazy summer day. I was hoping that maybe we could do without another scene on the wide platform swing as it flowed back and forth, but it was not to be.
Romance and intrigue were all around.

Unfortunately, one of the main character's personality changed midway through the book ; once being strong and courageous just seem to become weak and timid, did I miss the part where he became a eunuch, was it greed that drove him or just the author losing his way?
Would he redeem himself?

Nearing the end of the book, I was thinking about what new plots where to transpire between our characters, I hoped the journey would not stop, but for some reason part of the story just galloped in another direction.
Oh to be yearning for more.

The book was filled with some passionate people and deadly sins around every corner... I could hear there late night whispers amongst the grove of trees.

An exciting read if you don't mind some of the characters losing their way slightly in believability. I can't wait to continue my visit to India and the distance past in his next book.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to give this book 3.5 stars. Although it has a rich plot and well defined love stories, something just did not click for me. I enjoyed reading it, but I learned very little about India during this era, which is why I am not shelving it as historical fiction. I recommend it almost as chick lit.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would say this but John Speed now rivals Philippa Gregory as one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. Set in India in the year 1657, “The Temple Dancer” is a riveting tale of two women: Lucinda Desana, a beautiful Goan heiress; and Maya, a devadasi (temple dancer) who is bought by Lucinda’s family and sold as a concubine. They meet in Goa and travel through the Western Ghats by elephant, each heading towards a fate that has changed by the time their journey has ended. Escorted by a dangerous man with a reputation for violence, a conniving eunuch, a cold-hearted businessman and a mysterious prince, their story is filled with intrigue, adventure, sensuality and forbidden love. Indeed, I lost many hours of sleep because I simply had to find out what Speed’s exotic collection of characters were going to do next. His immense knowledge of Indian history and culture transforms them into vibrant people who inhabit an unforgettable world. The back cover of this book says that Speed has studied Indian history, art and religion for over thirty-years and I believe it. I can hardly wait for the next two books in this planned trilogy.

[Michelle Stie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the female characters compelling, but the plot just plodded along. The author does try to be literary/artistic, but oftentimes the prose is ponderous and can be irritating.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Temple Dancer is a tale of adventure which follows a unique group of travelers on their journey in seventeenth-century India. The characters are well-developed and each possesses their own history, but none dominates the narrative. The plot consisted of a great deal of intrigue, both inside and outside the court of a sultan, and had a few unexpected twists. The characters fit well into their world and I enjoyed this novel so much I am eager to read the sequel.

[Holly Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book annoyed me. It started our very slowly and then it started to get good about a third of the way through it so I stuck with it. But, then it became predictable but I was so far into it I didn’t want to cast it aside, so I finished it. The characters are fairly straightforward and simple. Not a very intense plot but since it took place in India during the 1600’s , I finished the book so o could learn a little more about the country during that time.

[Sapna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book as it was the first novel I had read that brought up the Portuguese history side of things in India. I have usually read about the time when the English were in India. Unfortunately, I found this book rather flat and predictable. There was no true element of surprise and reading it felt quite tedious.

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has an Indiana Jones pace.

[Allen Reesor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Waiting for another book

Historical, cultural accuracy are combined with good prose and a riveting plot. I am hopeful that another book will show up.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous historical novel set in 17th century india......

[Matty Mullet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most Exciting enthrawling picturesque books I've ever read!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow burn, confusing characters, weird end. Altogether, disappointing.

[Kikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Der Autor schafft es einen guten Einblick ins Indien, des 17 Jahrhunderts zu machen. Leider geht mir die Story viel langsam von statte. Romance war nicht so schlecht wie ich erwartet hätte

[Cvetannka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've only read the first book of the series. And actually now I'm finding out that there are two more.
The book is an engaging read and is worth a look, particularly for fans of the genre.

[Ana Mardoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Temple Dancer / 0-312-32548-7

"The Temple Dancer" is a fine first novel for a promising new author, although I am surprised by the description's reference to a "proposed trilogy", given the rather 'final' nature of the epilogue. Though not without its faults, the novel is an engaging read and is worth a look, particularly for fans of the genre.

To give credit to the author, the story is engaging and moves along nicely, with the exposition as fascinating and well written as the action. Speed has also finely captured his female characters, which can be a difficult feat for a male author writing about such easily stereotyped characters as the Exotic Temple Dancer and Spoiled Heiress. Yet Speed's women resist stereotyping and show great resilience and strength of character in the turmoil that faces them. The male characters are, mostly, also very well done, with the 'tired old soldier' stereotype fleshed out nicely here as the men grapple with their own lives and whether they are brave enough to risk or even discard their futures for the women they have come to love and admire.

Not all of the characters are so thoroughly fleshed out, though. Speed's "unlikely villain" seems to be almost impossibly evil and conniving - carefully disposing of every member of his family over the course of many years in order to place himself closer to his family's fortune. In addition to these carefully manipulated murders, he seems to take sadistic delight in the torments the women suffer on their journey, and while it may be said that evil does not need a reason to be evil, it would be a nice inclusion to understand what motivates this man to be so cruel. Speed also relies heavily on misunderstandings, poor communication, and just plain stupidity of characters to advance the plot, which I hope he will trim to a minimum for his next novel.

(Example: When an old, frail man who is openly taking arsenic as 'medicine' dies of arsenic overdose, it seems unreasonable for *everyone* in the camp to immediately assume it was murder. It is just as likely that he took to much medicine or that his age and frailty couldn't handle the strain, and at least a few people should have voiced doubts as to the certainty of murder.)

This book is labeled historical fiction and Speed certainly takes care with the details and much of the overlay here seems genuine. A secret, powerful cabal of eunuchs seems to stretch the imagination slightly, and it also seems a powerful coincidence that the dancer - Maya - is carrying the long-lost treasure that they lost so many years ago, and an even further coincidence that the eunuch chosen to escort her to her new life is the very same one who lost the treasure so long ago! Nor is this incredible string of coincidences ever adequately explained, but rather it is just left as one of those mystical convergences that just happen. Although it did not detract much from my enjoyment of this story, I hope that the next novel from this author relies a little less on coincidence to drive the plot. In fact, I think a little less coincidence and more of the mostly superb character development could result in a fine novel indeed.

~ Ana Mardoll

[Laxmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For being Speed’s first novel, "The Temple Dancer" is an exquisitely planned and written, with a rich and constantly contouring story line placed in the backdrop of 1600s Moghul India. The characters are plentiful and beautifully developed, and the scenery and background are described to such an illustrious detail that it almost feels as though we are there in the rocking howdah perched atop the elephant. Despite the tumultuous nature of the plot, the story does chivy along at a rather slow place, leading the reader to occasionally skim through the descriptive sections to get to the gist of the story.

Within the first few pages of the novel, we are introduced to the two beautiful, yet extremely different heroines of our story; Lucinda Desana, the blaringly naive and wealthy Portuguese heiress and Maya, the exotically stunning devadasi (temple dancer) who was recently purchased by Lucinda's family as a concubine/bribe for the vizier. They are thrown together for the journey from Goa to Bijapur, along with a caravan consisting of a wily Desana cousin whom death follows, a notoriously dangerous settlement man, the deviously cunning eunuch, and a mysteriously secretive prince. As various narrators chronicle the tale, Speed takes the time to develop the personalities of each character, allowing us to fit them better into their surroundings. As Maya and Lucinda navigate their way through dangerous bandit-laden mountain passes and roads, they are also forced to work their way around greed, religious differences, shifty political alliances, commitment, scandal, death as a means of escape, and most importantly, love.

Speed explores a number of themes throughout his novel whilst simultaneously weaving a vibrant story line that fits beautifully into the tapestry of Moghul India. Before I continue singing praises of the novel, I must point out that I was extremely annoyed by the constant usage of “Hindi” when referring to a “Hindu”. As someone that claims to have studied Indian history for decades, Speed’s blatant inaccuracy was surprising and unexpected; “Hindi” is the language, “Hindu” is a follower of Hinduism. It should also be noted that the story is narrated at a slow place and occasionally feels as though it is lagging due to the heavy emphasis on detail, but we must take into account that Speed is a first time novelist, and furthermore he is trying to capture Moghul India as accurately as possible. Besides these minor setbacks, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the next of the trilogy, “Tiger Claws”

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an AMAZING book! I was totally enchanted. Last week I read a book that touched on India. This past week I just had to get my hands on something better. I am so glad I chose this!

The story centers around two women—Maya and Lucinda, in 17th century India. Lucinda is the last female of a Portuguese family in Goa, India. Her family, in trying to save itself and its fortune, purchase Maya, a devadasi or temple dancer, to sell as a concubine to the highest bidder in far away Bijapur, India.

The saga begins with the two women, and the eunuch Slipper, thrown together in a journey across the sub-continent. They are placed in a palanquin and transported via elephant to the mountains. Their fates will now be forever twisted and changed.

Maya is someone who Lucinda would never ordinarily meet. Maya is a temple dancer—a Hindi slave who dances for the goddess. Lucinda is a pampered girl who is a slave in her own right—doing what her family needs of her.


Of course, there is intrigue and mystery.

Slipper is a mysterious eunuch who wants something from Maya, and will stop at nothing to get her and her possessions.

Da Gama is the Portuguese settlement man in charge of the trade and caravan—who trusts no one. He wants to quickly and safely complete the journey.

Da Gama’s burak (a native settlement man) is Pathan, a who just might be a prince incognito.

And then there is Geraldo, Lucinda’s cousin.

This odd assortment of characters face danger at every turn on their journey. Some of the action is more believable than others, but fascinating none the less. Bandits in the mountains, arsenic use and poisoning, forbidden love, lost children, murder, betrayal, elephants, harems, and waterfalls all pepper the story with swashbuckling adventure.

In closing, I will admit this—I found the ending is a bit, um, trite? By the end of the story I knew what I wanted to have happen—and it does not let down. But it did feel a bit rushed. Almost as if the author lost steam and wanted to get onto another project, another story.

[Ashley Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book on a list of historical fiction novels about India, so I picked it up at my library to give it a try. It is the first in a proposed trilogy (only 2 of the 3 books published so far) about Maya, a priestess who is sold as a slave.

In this story, Maya is bought by the Portuguese Dasana family as a gift for a political official they want to influence. The head of the Dasana family sends their "settlement man" De Gama and his niece Lucinda with a caravan of people to take Maya to her new owners. On the way, the caravan is attacked by bandits, and chaos ensues. Political intrigues, religious disputes, and family betrayals abound, and Maya and Lucinda struggle to decide how they will have any say in their destinies.

The story sounded like something I would love, but this book fell flat for me. I didn't care for Speed's writing style - too much description of things that didn't seem to matter, and then important plot points would be rushed through in a few sentences. The majority of the characters are so despicable that they are hardly believable, and the two main female characters flounder for most of the novel. I probably won't read the other books of this trilogy.

[Laura Hamadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how another reviewer described this book as "pause-filled" writing. There were times when the story would be racing and exciting. And other times where the plot was so slow I struggled to the next page. I liked this book, but not enough to read the whole trilogy.

I found myself hating the character of Maya, because I didn't feel that her personality and characteristics were consistent. One minute she seemed indifferent, then weak, then passionate, etc. Even Speed makes mention in the back of the book that in his first few editions, his editor said the female characters were like cardboard. He admits that e struggled with developing his female characters, and it definitely shows.

I wish that Speed had included a glossary or index of terms. I found myself constantly having to google certain language terms or historical words that I wasn't familiar with. This was one of my biggest pet peeves of the novel.

I'm also not sure how great of a historian Speed is. I was intrigued by the use of arsenic in the story by Lucinda to "lighten her skin". I tried to look up the practice on the internet, but I found little information about it. I actually found out that European women who started to use arsenic, quickly stopped using it because it darkens the skin.

[Cayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is set in Hindustan (India) in 1657. We follow the Dasana family as they set up to make or break their fortunes in politics. I'm not quite sure what I expected this book to be after I read the the synopsis, but I do know that it wasn't quite it. It was good though, I haven't read many books at all set in India and there were quite a few characters that I really liked. Maya, the dancer in the title, Lucinda Dasana, Pathan & De Gama. I especially grew to despise The Brotherhood (eunuchs) they were a main bad force, and they are everywhere in the book. Actually John Speed did a really good job of making the eunuch Slipper very distasteful in such a way that at first, you don't really know why it is you mistrust him, just that you do. I really liked that about the story, it also had love and adventure, and I think the inner workings and politics will be seen in the next book as I do believe this is a series. On that note, I will probably be reading the next book(s) as well, just to see what happens.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad...Interesting cast of characters, the men being extrememly grotesque and cruel and the women beautiful and weak at times. You have Maya, a brainwashed temple dancer that honestly believes that opening her body to men is serving her god. Lucinda is a pampered Portuguese girl that is all about dresses and corsets and the woman she is in the end is amazing and I enjoyed reading her change. Geraldo, Victorio, and Slipper (and about 20 other fellows) are the most disgusting, vile men I have ever read about. There is an immense amount of cruelty, greed, and hate and a hint of homosexuality here and there. The women alone, and the way they grew and blossomed and grew stronger on this amazing journey amongst the perversion made the book worthwhile. To sum it up, the book is about men and how their greed controls them and the deeds and bad deals they make to advance themselves. The women are simply caught in the middle of it.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. Slow going. I can't describe this type of book well. I've read this type before, and all I can come up with is "pause-filled writing". Which is to say, not a lot of action or "ah ha" moments, but writing which makes you pause and think. Think about what it must have been like to be a colonist in India, a Christian in a country where Christianity is not dominant, a woman bound by culture, tradition, and, literally, corsets and layers of clothing. Throughout the book, I wanted Lilly to throw off her bindings and run. Interesting, this book was written by a man, and he portrays most of the men as horrible, dirty, letcherous. I don't think this book was as much about the Temple Dancer, instead it was more about two women, both bound, and their destinies. I would have like to see more of what happened to the T.D. before the epilogue. Really, there could be two sequels to this story, one being Lilly's story, and one Maya's.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with a few other reviewers that this book had a slow start.
And it was front-loaded with culture and history lessons that could've perhaps been woven throughout... I also thought John Speed could've developed the characters a bit more before throwing them into an epic of action and romance. It wasn't always clear to me who the allies were and who the enemies were. Instead of feeling anticipation about which character would surprise me next, I just felt confused at times. But it was in those great action moments the characters developed great depth for me. Overall I very much enjoyed this read, and thought it exposed a part of culture (the hijras) that I was not at all familiar with despite traveling to the country and knowing many people from there. Am anxious to read next in series, as the plot line of my favorite character appears to continue there.

[Cristine Mermaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books set in other countries and time periods so that I can learn about other cultures but I had a hard time getting into this book at first because it just seemed to be giving me information rather than telling me a story.

However, once the plot picked up, I understood that the background information was necessary so that I would grasp the intricacies of the plot, the characters, the mannerisms, the relationships, etc.

I absolutely loved Maya, what a fascinating compelling complicated character. I also enjoyed the other characters as well but Maya has really stayed with me. She was a strong independent woman during a time when that was to be feared. And the idea of a temple dancer, dancing for the goddess and serving the religious leaders as a means to reach the divine intrigued me.

[Prajnabati · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I started the book, I instantly fell in love with the backdrop and the potential of the story. I wanted to rate it 4 stars right away. The story progressed with many interesting characters, forbidden relationships, secret admiration etc. But alas! I found the story developed around Lucinda and not Maya,the temple dancer. The supposedly high points/climax in the book made the story, which started as a masterpiece of painting, made the book look like spicy RomCom with a splash of action in places. The climax looked like a scene from Cartoon Network(unbelievably animated). The web of Ruci, Maya's Guru, the broken sword - the main objects went unexplained. It is a crime to call this novel as Historical fiction, it is nothing more than a Indian Version of M&B and hence, the 2 stars.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book led me to believe that the subject was the temple dancer and it would take place from her view. There was very little in the book that took place from Maya's view however. I felt as if the author took on too much story in here and was unable to finish any of them. The main characters she tended to kill off or send into the unknown and you don't really know what happens to them. As for Maya her character is inconsistant and not well developed. It would have been better if there was either a little more background, more focus on the one character or more of a conclusion to the story at hand.

[Rachel Sprague · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting of the book, ancient India is a fantasy land. But I felt that all of the characters could have been more developed. Also the main story seems to be a side point in the plot which was weird. He introduces so many characters and almost gets the reader intrigued but never fully develops any of the characters which results in some of their actions later on in the story seeming odd or out of place. This is a trilogy so I'm considering reading the next one to see if this is one of those books that needs to be read in a series to appreciate it. I wish there was more historical fiction in this genre.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is what hooked me, but I don't really feel that it delivered. I love books about India, so I'm no stranger to their culture and language. I liked the book, I just didn't love the boom. We are treated to a range of characters and we get a lot of different perspectives (which I love), but for me Speed's writing style was too rambling, and almost...like he was trying too hard. And I really hated Lucinda and Maya. His female characters were a weak point in the store for ne.


Overall an interesting read, but not a good enough one for me to consider the rest of the trilogy.