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The Amazing Life of Cecilia Chattergee
Cecilia Chattergee (1876-1947) was a woman who defied convention. She was a lawyer in India at a time when women didn't have careers. She was a Parsee who married outside of her religion. She lived as a widow when Indian society ostracised widows. She also endured unimaginable trauma and tragedy, yet never lost sight of her ambitions.
Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence, this is the story of one women's struggle for her own independence. Her fight to live her live her way and improve the life chances of her children.
Written by her great-granddaughter.
Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence, this is the story of one women's struggle for her own independence. Her fight to live her live her way and improve the life chances of her children.
Written by her great-granddaughter.
379 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2021
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Bernie Morgan
1 book4 followersI was born in the UK with Asian heritage. All my life I have been interested in the lives of women and how much they achieve in the face of adversity.
When I started to research the life of my great-grandmother, Cecilia Chattergee, I realised that her story needed to be known by a wider audience.
So I wrote the book about her. It is a mix of fact and fiction. I hope it brings her story to life and honours her in the way she deserves.
When I started to research the life of my great-grandmother, Cecilia Chattergee, I realised that her story needed to be known by a wider audience.
So I wrote the book about her. It is a mix of fact and fiction. I hope it brings her story to life and honours her in the way she deserves.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 20, 2021
What a fabulous story!
Cecilia Chattergee, born in India in 1876, was a woman who was committed to having it all; a husband, family and a career. Not only that, but she was set on becoming a lawyer at a time when women in India were not permitted to work outside the home. This is her story.
Cecilia was a woman way ahead of her time and it wasn’t so much that she was a strong woman but that she couldn’t afford to appear weak. She suffered unimaginable tragedies and still continued to get up and show up, determined to set a good example to her children by demonstrating the difference that education could make to their lives. She had, as the title says, an amazing life and I can fully understand why her descendant felt the urge to write this novel. This is a life which needs to be celebrated and Bernie Morgan has done a first-class job of writing a novel which keeps the readers attention all the way through. An excellent read, highly recommended and worth 4.5*.
Cecilia Chattergee, born in India in 1876, was a woman who was committed to having it all; a husband, family and a career. Not only that, but she was set on becoming a lawyer at a time when women in India were not permitted to work outside the home. This is her story.
Cecilia was a woman way ahead of her time and it wasn’t so much that she was a strong woman but that she couldn’t afford to appear weak. She suffered unimaginable tragedies and still continued to get up and show up, determined to set a good example to her children by demonstrating the difference that education could make to their lives. She had, as the title says, an amazing life and I can fully understand why her descendant felt the urge to write this novel. This is a life which needs to be celebrated and Bernie Morgan has done a first-class job of writing a novel which keeps the readers attention all the way through. An excellent read, highly recommended and worth 4.5*.
March 26, 2021
If this were a novel it would be a jolly good read. The fact that Cecilia was a real person makes this biographical drama astounding. The author brings her departed family alive with such clarity, sensitivity and imagination that we cannot fail to share their lives.
Cecilia knew the ecstasy of true love but also suffered the repeated tragedy of loss. Despite the apparent tyranny and danger of life without contraceptives her many children were a constant source of delight and not a little frustration. She was determined to study law and eventually became financially independent as a respected lawyer who helped to shape the future of India beyond independence. She joins the ranks of so many influential women in history who have battled against the misogyny and arrogance of the established order.
Her story is in part a tragedy and it is a constant assault on the senses and emotions but she was a woman who deserves to be heard and remembered.
Cecilia knew the ecstasy of true love but also suffered the repeated tragedy of loss. Despite the apparent tyranny and danger of life without contraceptives her many children were a constant source of delight and not a little frustration. She was determined to study law and eventually became financially independent as a respected lawyer who helped to shape the future of India beyond independence. She joins the ranks of so many influential women in history who have battled against the misogyny and arrogance of the established order.
Her story is in part a tragedy and it is a constant assault on the senses and emotions but she was a woman who deserves to be heard and remembered.
March 17, 2021
The amazing life of Cecilia Chatterjee is a journey through the life of Cecilia. Living in India during the British Raj she experienced numerous traumatic experiences yet her resilience never wavered, she persisted with her studying and became the Barrister she always wanted to be.
The writing is exceptional, I felt as though I glided effortlessly through the pages, entranced by the story. It was clear a substantial amount of research had gone into this book and I’m absolutely in awe of it. I’m so glad our foremothers story is no longer invisible. A story has power and relatability unlike records. I sobbed as I closed the book and I’ll definitely be reading it again.
The writing is exceptional, I felt as though I glided effortlessly through the pages, entranced by the story. It was clear a substantial amount of research had gone into this book and I’m absolutely in awe of it. I’m so glad our foremothers story is no longer invisible. A story has power and relatability unlike records. I sobbed as I closed the book and I’ll definitely be reading it again.
March 22, 2021
I was blown away by this story. It's hard to imagine how one woman could endure so many tragedies and still stay strong and become so influential. If it wasn't meticulously researched I would have thought it was entirely fiction (and too far fetched, at that!) However, the blend of biography and fiction means that the births, deaths, marriages and locations are all true, and the narrative built around these markers takes us on a breathtaking journey through all Cecilia's major life events.
This is an important story that speaks to the power of women everywhere.
This is an important story that speaks to the power of women everywhere.
March 20, 2021
This is a fascinating account of a woman who defied convention time and again. In this eminently readable novel, we learn how Cecilia Chattergee married and bore many children whilst concurrently studying to become a barrister.
She also pushed for the rights of women, and those of children of mixed marrriages, during India's long thrashing out (by men of influence) of the terms of independence from Britain. Her energy and commitment are described with verve in an informative and absorbing way.
She also pushed for the rights of women, and those of children of mixed marrriages, during India's long thrashing out (by men of influence) of the terms of independence from Britain. Her energy and commitment are described with verve in an informative and absorbing way.
August 31, 2022
The truth of Cecilia Chattergee takes my breath away. The hardships, the indignity, and the need to persevere are reminders of how far women have come and how far they might still go.
The Amazing Life of Cecilia Chattergee is a true labor of love, exquisitely written and meticulously researched by Bernie Morgan, Cecilia’s great-granddaughter. Personally, there is nothing I love more than to see a woman butt heads against society to achieve her goals.
April 19, 2022
This book is so gripping. As with the other reviewers you would honestly think it was entirely fictional! However the author, and those who assisted in its creation, have obviously spent a very long time researching all possible records. The narrative that weaves all these records together is also, in some parts, based on memories either from the author or her family who have anecdotal evidence of what Cecilias children were like.
I lent a copy to a friend who also said she was "hooked" and read it as fast as I. It is very hard to put down!
Cecilia should be celebrated as an icon for all the adversities and tragedies she endured in her lifetime and yet she never gave up. She is the most resilient person I've ever had the fortune to read about and I'm so glad Bernie Morgan is now shining a light onto her that she deserved in her lifetime, sadly that wasn't possible.
Hopefully we can continue to celebrate her legacy -a real heroine.
I lent a copy to a friend who also said she was "hooked" and read it as fast as I. It is very hard to put down!
Cecilia should be celebrated as an icon for all the adversities and tragedies she endured in her lifetime and yet she never gave up. She is the most resilient person I've ever had the fortune to read about and I'm so glad Bernie Morgan is now shining a light onto her that she deserved in her lifetime, sadly that wasn't possible.
Hopefully we can continue to celebrate her legacy -a real heroine.
June 12, 2021
Cecilia – an amazing woman with an amazing story brought vividly to life
What a great story! I read it in 3 sittings (life with 22 sheep involves interruptions…). Cecilia Chattergee was an amazing woman in many different ways and so very ahead of her time, to achieve all that she did especially while having so many children (a reality for many women in India and much of the world at the time).
The book – part biography, part fictionalised, is set towards the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century and covers the run up to Independence in India. Cecilia’s definitely amazing story begins on her nineteenth birthday and follows her struggles to become a lawyer – and to practice law, defying convention and the harsh attitudes of even some of the men closest to her. She defied convention in other ways too, marrying outside of her religion and across what was then perceived as a firm racial divide.
I loved the detail of the places too, evoked through the scents, colours and noises of India. Her husbands’ stories ring true too. This book has both heartbreak and triumph on personal and national levels.
Cecilia had a truly independent spirit and fought with great determination for her ambitions and for the future of her children. Author Bernie Morgan – Cecilia’s great-granddaughter – has clearly researched the facts thoroughly but has also brought Cecilia’s story vividly to life by adding fictional elements to some characters while faithfully following the parallel story of India’s struggle for Independence.
What a great story! I read it in 3 sittings (life with 22 sheep involves interruptions…). Cecilia Chattergee was an amazing woman in many different ways and so very ahead of her time, to achieve all that she did especially while having so many children (a reality for many women in India and much of the world at the time).
The book – part biography, part fictionalised, is set towards the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century and covers the run up to Independence in India. Cecilia’s definitely amazing story begins on her nineteenth birthday and follows her struggles to become a lawyer – and to practice law, defying convention and the harsh attitudes of even some of the men closest to her. She defied convention in other ways too, marrying outside of her religion and across what was then perceived as a firm racial divide.
I loved the detail of the places too, evoked through the scents, colours and noises of India. Her husbands’ stories ring true too. This book has both heartbreak and triumph on personal and national levels.
Cecilia had a truly independent spirit and fought with great determination for her ambitions and for the future of her children. Author Bernie Morgan – Cecilia’s great-granddaughter – has clearly researched the facts thoroughly but has also brought Cecilia’s story vividly to life by adding fictional elements to some characters while faithfully following the parallel story of India’s struggle for Independence.
March 26, 2021
Fascinating and beautifully written, Cecilia Chattergee’s life was both tragic and triumphant. She faced the challenges of her generation with dignity and determination, secretly training to be a lawyer when it was forbidden for women to practice law and fighting for the right for Anglo Indians to be given British citizenship whilst bringing up 8 children. I very rarely cry but I found myself in tears many times reading this book, the writing sweeping me up into Cecilia’s world. I could not put it down.
June 2, 2021
Once started, I literally couldn’t put this book down!
Cecilia Chattergee encountered so much tragedy and pain in her life, yet she let nothing hold her back in search of her dreams. A true inspiration!
This book was extremely well written; the descriptions of the people, places, colours and even smells, made me feel like I was actually in India, watching Cecilia go about her extraordinary life.
I would definitely love to read more from this fantastic author!
Cecilia Chattergee encountered so much tragedy and pain in her life, yet she let nothing hold her back in search of her dreams. A true inspiration!
This book was extremely well written; the descriptions of the people, places, colours and even smells, made me feel like I was actually in India, watching Cecilia go about her extraordinary life.
I would definitely love to read more from this fantastic author!
June 12, 2021
Cecilia – an amazing woman with an amazing story brought vividly to life
What a great story! I read it in 3 sittings (life with 22 sheep involves interruptions…). Cecilia Chattergee was an amazing woman in many different ways and so very ahead of her time, to achieve all that she did especially while having so many children (a reality for many women in India and much of the world at the time).
The book – part biography, part fictionalised, is set towards the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century and covers the run up to Independence in India. Cecilia’s definitely amazing story begins on her nineteenth birthday and follows her struggles to become a lawyer – and to practice law, defying convention and the harsh attitudes of even some of the men closest to her. She defied convention in other ways too, marrying outside of her religion and across what was then perceived as a firm racial divide.
I loved the detail of the places too, evoked through the scents, colours and noises of India. Her husbands’ stories ring true too. This book has both heartbreak and triumph on personal and national levels.
Cecilia had a truly independent spirit and fought with great determination for her ambitions and for the future of her children. Author Bernie Morgan – Cecilia’s great-granddaughter – has clearly researched the facts thoroughly but has also brought Cecilia’s story vividly to life by adding fictional elements to some characters while faithfully following the parallel story of India’s struggle for Independence.
What a great story! I read it in 3 sittings (life with 22 sheep involves interruptions…). Cecilia Chattergee was an amazing woman in many different ways and so very ahead of her time, to achieve all that she did especially while having so many children (a reality for many women in India and much of the world at the time).
The book – part biography, part fictionalised, is set towards the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century and covers the run up to Independence in India. Cecilia’s definitely amazing story begins on her nineteenth birthday and follows her struggles to become a lawyer – and to practice law, defying convention and the harsh attitudes of even some of the men closest to her. She defied convention in other ways too, marrying outside of her religion and across what was then perceived as a firm racial divide.
I loved the detail of the places too, evoked through the scents, colours and noises of India. Her husbands’ stories ring true too. This book has both heartbreak and triumph on personal and national levels.
Cecilia had a truly independent spirit and fought with great determination for her ambitions and for the future of her children. Author Bernie Morgan – Cecilia’s great-granddaughter – has clearly researched the facts thoroughly but has also brought Cecilia’s story vividly to life by adding fictional elements to some characters while faithfully following the parallel story of India’s struggle for Independence.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews