What do you think?
Rate this book
The Garden of Heaven
A magnificent stone frieze—built up into curves and flourishes, peacocks and curving vines and trailing leaves—runs like a thread through this gripping, sweeping saga that spans a period of two hundred years between two invasions of Dilli—that of Muhammed of Ghur in 1192 CE, and Taimur in the winter of 1398. For whom was it carved, and what happened to it as family fortunes and dynasties rose and fell?
Ten-year-old Madhav comes to Dilli after his world is torn apart by the battle in which Prithviraj Chauhan loses his throne and his life, paving the way for the Delhi Sultanate. In the teeming city, Madhav starts a career as a stone carver, and the craft becomes a manifestation of his very being. It eventually inspires him to create his masterpiece, a stone frieze that he calls the Garden of Heaven.
Running parallel to Madhav’s story is that of another family of stone carvers— Nandu, his arrogant daughter Gayatri, and Gayatri’s daughter, Jayshree, who befriends an unusual, headstrong young woman who wears the clothes of a man. A gentle courtier named Amir Khusro also plays a part in this grand drama, as does Ibrahim, whose forbidden love for Chhoti brings two families together. And then there is poor and lonely Shagufta, who rescues Nasiruddin, a wounded Timurid soldier, and to distract him from his agony, tells the story of her city and. herself.
A richly human, layered and dramatic narrative about Delhi on the threshold of a new phase in its long and eventful history, The Garden of Heaven holds the reader in thrall till the end.
Ten-year-old Madhav comes to Dilli after his world is torn apart by the battle in which Prithviraj Chauhan loses his throne and his life, paving the way for the Delhi Sultanate. In the teeming city, Madhav starts a career as a stone carver, and the craft becomes a manifestation of his very being. It eventually inspires him to create his masterpiece, a stone frieze that he calls the Garden of Heaven.
Running parallel to Madhav’s story is that of another family of stone carvers— Nandu, his arrogant daughter Gayatri, and Gayatri’s daughter, Jayshree, who befriends an unusual, headstrong young woman who wears the clothes of a man. A gentle courtier named Amir Khusro also plays a part in this grand drama, as does Ibrahim, whose forbidden love for Chhoti brings two families together. And then there is poor and lonely Shagufta, who rescues Nasiruddin, a wounded Timurid soldier, and to distract him from his agony, tells the story of her city and. herself.
A richly human, layered and dramatic narrative about Delhi on the threshold of a new phase in its long and eventful history, The Garden of Heaven holds the reader in thrall till the end.
- GenresIndia
376 pages, Paperback
Published October 20, 2021
3 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Madhulika Liddle
22 books547 followersMadhulika Liddle is best known for her books featuring the 17th century Mughal detective Muzaffar Jang, although she is also a prolific writer of short fiction, travel writing, and writing related to classic cinema.
The Muzaffar Jang Series: Madhulika’s best-known series of works are historical whodunnits featuring the 17th century Mughal detective, Muzaffar Jang. Till now, four books in the series have been published:
The Englishman’s Cameo (2009)
The Eighth Guest & Other Muzaffar Jang Mysteries (2011),
Engraved in Stone (2012), and
Crimson City (2015).
In October 2021, Madhulika Liddle published The Garden of Heaven, the first novel of a four-novel series called the Delhi Quartet. This is a series of historical novels that will span 800 years of Delhi's history. The Garden of Heaven was long-listed for the Book of the Year (Fiction) Award of the annual Tata Literature Live! literature festival.
In March 2023, Madhulika's The Pledge: Adventures to Sada was released. A fantasy adventure novel, this is the first part of a two-part series called The Mandala Purana, written in collaboration with film-maker Kannan Iyer.
Short stories: Madhulika has written a range of short stories in different genres, including black humour, humour, crime and detection, and social awareness. Several of these have won awards (including the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s (CBA) Short Story Competition, for A Morning Swim, in 2003) or have been selected for anthologies. Her story, Poppies in the Snow, was longlisted for the 2015 Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize.
Short story collections:
My Lawfully Wedded Husband & Other Stories. Black humour shorts, all of which have a twist in the tale.
Woman to Woman: Stories. A collection of twelve women-centric stories.
Madhulika is also known for her travel writing, which has been published in Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller (India), Lounge (Mint), and other periodicals.
In addition, she is a cinema buff and blogs (mostly about classic cinema) at www.madhulikaliddle.com.
Awards and Recognition:
CBA Short Story Competition – Honourable Mention (2002) for Love and the Papaya Man
CBA Short Story Competition – Overall Winner (2003) for A Morning Swim
Winner of Oxfordbookstore e-Author version 4.0
Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize (2015) - Longlisted for Poppies in the Snow
Book of the Year Award, Tata Literature Live! (2023) - Longlisted for The Garden of Heaven
Starting 2022, Crimson City (Muzaffar Jang #4) is being taught as an elective to Delhi University students majoring in English
The Muzaffar Jang Series: Madhulika’s best-known series of works are historical whodunnits featuring the 17th century Mughal detective, Muzaffar Jang. Till now, four books in the series have been published:
The Englishman’s Cameo (2009)
The Eighth Guest & Other Muzaffar Jang Mysteries (2011),
Engraved in Stone (2012), and
Crimson City (2015).
In October 2021, Madhulika Liddle published The Garden of Heaven, the first novel of a four-novel series called the Delhi Quartet. This is a series of historical novels that will span 800 years of Delhi's history. The Garden of Heaven was long-listed for the Book of the Year (Fiction) Award of the annual Tata Literature Live! literature festival.
In March 2023, Madhulika's The Pledge: Adventures to Sada was released. A fantasy adventure novel, this is the first part of a two-part series called The Mandala Purana, written in collaboration with film-maker Kannan Iyer.
Short stories: Madhulika has written a range of short stories in different genres, including black humour, humour, crime and detection, and social awareness. Several of these have won awards (including the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s (CBA) Short Story Competition, for A Morning Swim, in 2003) or have been selected for anthologies. Her story, Poppies in the Snow, was longlisted for the 2015 Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize.
Short story collections:
My Lawfully Wedded Husband & Other Stories. Black humour shorts, all of which have a twist in the tale.
Woman to Woman: Stories. A collection of twelve women-centric stories.
Madhulika is also known for her travel writing, which has been published in Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller (India), Lounge (Mint), and other periodicals.
In addition, she is a cinema buff and blogs (mostly about classic cinema) at www.madhulikaliddle.com.
Awards and Recognition:
CBA Short Story Competition – Honourable Mention (2002) for Love and the Papaya Man
CBA Short Story Competition – Overall Winner (2003) for A Morning Swim
Winner of Oxfordbookstore e-Author version 4.0
Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize (2015) - Longlisted for Poppies in the Snow
Book of the Year Award, Tata Literature Live! (2023) - Longlisted for The Garden of Heaven
Starting 2022, Crimson City (Muzaffar Jang #4) is being taught as an elective to Delhi University students majoring in English
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 2, 2022
The Garden of Heaven is a historical novel by Madhulika Liddle. The plot explores the medieval history of Delhi through the eyes of Sridhar Sahu, a man from Agraha who has moved him and his family to Delhi. Liddle gives voice to his family members as well as an orphan boy whose life intersects with the tale. Liddle has a riveting style that keeps one turning the page.
I'd consider Liddle one of India's best contemporary historical fiction writer. I'd recommend her work to anyone who wants to find their inspiration in the lanes and corridors of another time in India.
I'd consider Liddle one of India's best contemporary historical fiction writer. I'd recommend her work to anyone who wants to find their inspiration in the lanes and corridors of another time in India.
November 16, 2021
An exquisite look at a turbulent period of Delhi's history, through the eyes of members of two families. The family of Sridhar Sahu migrates to Delhi in peacetime, in order for Sahu to further his fortunes. Young Madhav loses his entire family and village as Muhammed of Ghur's marauding army, led by Qutbuddin Aibak, wreaks havoc upon the civilian population as well as upon the army of Prithviraj Chauhan. The old stone carver, Balram, takes the terrified child under his wing and they start a new life in Delhi, settling down in Yoginipur. Yogi Maiyya is a fascinating character, a strong, independent widow who fends for herself, and has a soft corner for the most vulnerable. Liddle's characters are beautifully etched, as are the scenes she depicts. The story continues across generations, introducing much social commentary as the local populace learns to co-exist with the invaders. This fear of the 'other' is beautifully depicted in Girdhar's story. Razia Sultan appears in an intimate, personalized, cameo. Her friendship with Jayshree, Sridhar's granddaughter, has ramifications for the subsequent generations. i was delighted to see two of my favourite Delhi personages, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and his devoted follower, Amir Khusro, as part of the narrative. The book is exquisitely crafted, with each story a richly woven panel, which forms an integral part of a larger tapestry. A book to be read and savoured again and again.
November 19, 2021
As far as trans-generational epics as a sub-genre of historical fiction are concerned, there have been more engrossing tales. This was rather jerky, with jumps of up to three decades between successive characters. The frieze called the Garden of Heaven is like a red-herring – maybe it assumes significance in the sequels of the proposed quartet.
Finally, the Dilli I expected centered around Chandni Chowk was missing and the yarn was located in present-day Mehrauli.
However, waiting eagerly for the sequels…
Finally, the Dilli I expected centered around Chandni Chowk was missing and the yarn was located in present-day Mehrauli.
However, waiting eagerly for the sequels…
December 26, 2021
I have read almost all of Madhulika Liddle's books. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and Madhulika's too. I loved the Mufazzar Jang series and will rush to snap up any further additions to it.
Garden of Heaven begins in the 1100s, on the cusp of the defeat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. However, the book does not speak about the kings, it speaks about the commoners of that era, a fact that I like particularly. It is always intriguing to imagine the lives of ordinary people in bygone days, how they were affected by the change in the political scenario. It is particularly intriguing to trace stories of a family down generations.
Sridhar Sahu uproots his family from Agroha and resettles in Dilli to the discontent of his wife, she is not happy to be taken away from her family and friends. On the other hand, a young boy, Madhav, finds himself orphaned and adopted in a short duration of time and taken to Dilli too. The lives of these two people, far from each other in status, clashes again and again down the generations.
This is a beautiful story, poignant and gripping. It covers 200 years up to the time from 1192 to 1398 CE. It starts with Sridhar Sahu and ends with Shagufta. Very cleverly, it is Shagufta who narrates the stories of the two families. We learn of all the wonderful characters who lived in the streets of Delhi when there was so much unrest and change around them.
The book is beautifully written and carries us along with all the joys and anguish that the characters face. This is a quartet and I know I must wait for #2. I am waiting eagerly for the next book in the series.
Garden of Heaven begins in the 1100s, on the cusp of the defeat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. However, the book does not speak about the kings, it speaks about the commoners of that era, a fact that I like particularly. It is always intriguing to imagine the lives of ordinary people in bygone days, how they were affected by the change in the political scenario. It is particularly intriguing to trace stories of a family down generations.
Sridhar Sahu uproots his family from Agroha and resettles in Dilli to the discontent of his wife, she is not happy to be taken away from her family and friends. On the other hand, a young boy, Madhav, finds himself orphaned and adopted in a short duration of time and taken to Dilli too. The lives of these two people, far from each other in status, clashes again and again down the generations.
This is a beautiful story, poignant and gripping. It covers 200 years up to the time from 1192 to 1398 CE. It starts with Sridhar Sahu and ends with Shagufta. Very cleverly, it is Shagufta who narrates the stories of the two families. We learn of all the wonderful characters who lived in the streets of Delhi when there was so much unrest and change around them.
The book is beautifully written and carries us along with all the joys and anguish that the characters face. This is a quartet and I know I must wait for #2. I am waiting eagerly for the next book in the series.
February 11, 2022
“Two hundred years ago,” she said, “a man came to Dilli from Agroha.”
So begins a tale of such epic proportions that it can scarcely be contained in one book.
The Garden of Heaven – the first book in the Delhi Quartet – is a sweeping saga that is bookended by two bloody invasions: the first, invaders who came to stay and build; the other, who vanquished, looted and returned. Spanning two centuries, the saga traces the narratives and fortunes of two major protagonists and their families, against the backdrop of the changing political landscape of Delhi (or Dilli, as it was known then).
In a nod to India’s oral storytelling traditions, Liddle places Shagufta as the teller of tales of the land and its people. Shagufta – beaten, betrayed, bereft and yet, a survivor – is compelled to save the life of an enemy soldier. As they wait for his wounds to heal, fearing all the time that they might be discovered, either by the invaders or the invaded – both sides a danger now – the soldier begs her to alleviate the silence.
Using interludes – the conversations between Shagufta and the soldier – as a tool to allow readers to shift between persons and ages, Madhu skilfully pins the stories of the stone masons and the Sultans to specific events in Delhi’s turbulent history.
Tangentially, yet importantly, this is also the tale of Dilli’s monuments – who commissioned what, when it was built, how it was built and by whom. The ‘whom’ is particularly significant since the protagonists are stone carvers and their families. Their loves and passions, joys and sorrows – Liddle sculpts a vivid picture of the human lives that live and breathe in the shadow of their beautiful creations, much like her stone carvers breathe life into stone.
At its heart, The Garden of Heaven is a deeply moving personal story, all the narrative strands coming together like the disparate panels of a large, colourful tapestry in the last ‘story’ in the book. Under the vengeance and bloodshed lies a shared brotherhood and a common humanity that accepts yet surmounts the differences of class, caste, creed and religion.
Well-edited and well-proofed – a rarity in itself that it needs to be mentioned – The Garden of Heaven is a gripping tale that I found hard to put down. So much so, I didn't even mind the narrative jumps between decades and characters. Indeed, the peeves I have are so minor that it borders on the nit-picking.
A longer review is posted on my blog: https://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/...
So begins a tale of such epic proportions that it can scarcely be contained in one book.
The Garden of Heaven – the first book in the Delhi Quartet – is a sweeping saga that is bookended by two bloody invasions: the first, invaders who came to stay and build; the other, who vanquished, looted and returned. Spanning two centuries, the saga traces the narratives and fortunes of two major protagonists and their families, against the backdrop of the changing political landscape of Delhi (or Dilli, as it was known then).
In a nod to India’s oral storytelling traditions, Liddle places Shagufta as the teller of tales of the land and its people. Shagufta – beaten, betrayed, bereft and yet, a survivor – is compelled to save the life of an enemy soldier. As they wait for his wounds to heal, fearing all the time that they might be discovered, either by the invaders or the invaded – both sides a danger now – the soldier begs her to alleviate the silence.
Using interludes – the conversations between Shagufta and the soldier – as a tool to allow readers to shift between persons and ages, Madhu skilfully pins the stories of the stone masons and the Sultans to specific events in Delhi’s turbulent history.
Tangentially, yet importantly, this is also the tale of Dilli’s monuments – who commissioned what, when it was built, how it was built and by whom. The ‘whom’ is particularly significant since the protagonists are stone carvers and their families. Their loves and passions, joys and sorrows – Liddle sculpts a vivid picture of the human lives that live and breathe in the shadow of their beautiful creations, much like her stone carvers breathe life into stone.
At its heart, The Garden of Heaven is a deeply moving personal story, all the narrative strands coming together like the disparate panels of a large, colourful tapestry in the last ‘story’ in the book. Under the vengeance and bloodshed lies a shared brotherhood and a common humanity that accepts yet surmounts the differences of class, caste, creed and religion.
Well-edited and well-proofed – a rarity in itself that it needs to be mentioned – The Garden of Heaven is a gripping tale that I found hard to put down. So much so, I didn't even mind the narrative jumps between decades and characters. Indeed, the peeves I have are so minor that it borders on the nit-picking.
A longer review is posted on my blog: https://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/...
March 8, 2022
The titular artifact in "The Garden of Heaven," arrives halfway through the book, a stone panel carved by Madhav, one of many sculptors that stride in and out of the narrative. Madhulika Liddle has promised that this book will be the first of a quartet. I enjoyed this one, and look forward to the others.
Two invasions bookend the two centuries that this book sweeps through: the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by the Ghurids in 1192 and the sack of Delhi by Timur in 1398. A host of characters swarm through these two centuries. The breathless pace at which the novel chugs along causes Liddle to shrug off characters rather quickly, which I found rather disconcerting. Just as I had begun to warm up to Balram and Yogi Maiyya for instance, they exited the narrative, briskly killed off in a sentence each. Razia Sultan, Ibrahim, Sridhar Sahu, all characters are developed beautifully, and mercilessly excised from the narrative in the service of trundling us along.
But once one has accepted her premise of walking us through two centuries of Delhi's life in a single book, this is perhaps par for the course. I look forward to the other three books.
Two invasions bookend the two centuries that this book sweeps through: the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by the Ghurids in 1192 and the sack of Delhi by Timur in 1398. A host of characters swarm through these two centuries. The breathless pace at which the novel chugs along causes Liddle to shrug off characters rather quickly, which I found rather disconcerting. Just as I had begun to warm up to Balram and Yogi Maiyya for instance, they exited the narrative, briskly killed off in a sentence each. Razia Sultan, Ibrahim, Sridhar Sahu, all characters are developed beautifully, and mercilessly excised from the narrative in the service of trundling us along.
But once one has accepted her premise of walking us through two centuries of Delhi's life in a single book, this is perhaps par for the course. I look forward to the other three books.
September 10, 2022
Delhi is a city that inspires storytellers. There is a huge body of work set in the city, some of which are exquisite. The Garden of Heaven certainly deserves to be a part of that pantheon. The first of a quartet that will eventually span 800 years, this book starts at the time of the first Muslim invasion of Delhi, which dethrones the Rajputs and puts the Slave Dynasty on the throne.
Told through the stories of two families who are closely bound, but not directly linked, the book deftly weaves individual stories with the larger political dynamics. We see what happens through the perspective of people who realise that no matter who is in power, life goes on. The fortunes of both families rise and fall multiple times, but the human spirit lives on.
I loved the characterisation of the various protagonists- each is complex and distinct and driven by very different purposes. The women, particularly, are strongly etched- some are fiercely independent out of necessity, the others are forced to work within the the tight confirms of expectations but each does the best she can, and a bit more.
I also enjoyed how she weaves architecture into her narrative. The temples, the Juma Masjid, the Qutab Minar, the baolis, they all come alive through the eyes of the characters.
Eagerly waiting for the second in series. I hope I don't have long to wait.
Told through the stories of two families who are closely bound, but not directly linked, the book deftly weaves individual stories with the larger political dynamics. We see what happens through the perspective of people who realise that no matter who is in power, life goes on. The fortunes of both families rise and fall multiple times, but the human spirit lives on.
I loved the characterisation of the various protagonists- each is complex and distinct and driven by very different purposes. The women, particularly, are strongly etched- some are fiercely independent out of necessity, the others are forced to work within the the tight confirms of expectations but each does the best she can, and a bit more.
I also enjoyed how she weaves architecture into her narrative. The temples, the Juma Masjid, the Qutab Minar, the baolis, they all come alive through the eyes of the characters.
Eagerly waiting for the second in series. I hope I don't have long to wait.
December 7, 2021
Strongly recommended.
February 4, 2022
Over the past couple of weeks I started reading 'The Garden of Heaven' by Madhulika Liddle 😊
What I love about this book is how the story unfolds layer by layer and it feels like travelling back in time to capture the rich history #Delhi has along with stories of two families over a period of 200 years.
This book has me hooked since the very beginning. And for all the history enthusiasts or even those who love Delhi, this is a story you will reallly enjoy. I finished reading this book today and I know for a fact that I'm a fan of this book ❤️❤️
What I love about this book is how the story unfolds layer by layer and it feels like travelling back in time to capture the rich history #Delhi has along with stories of two families over a period of 200 years.
This book has me hooked since the very beginning. And for all the history enthusiasts or even those who love Delhi, this is a story you will reallly enjoy. I finished reading this book today and I know for a fact that I'm a fan of this book ❤️❤️
April 12, 2022
This story spreads across 200 years and is set during the years of the Delhi Sultanate, not a time about which I have read any other novels.
I won't talk about the story, since that's there in the description of the book and other reviewers have mentioned it too. The characters are interesting, and I really liked the way the story moves, fast, with lots of twists along the way. There's romance and rebellion, and even some mystery and plotting (is Madhulika thinking of her Muzzafar Jang books?!)
The history is fascinating, and it made me want to visit Mehrauli to see where it all happened.
Very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to the sequel.
I won't talk about the story, since that's there in the description of the book and other reviewers have mentioned it too. The characters are interesting, and I really liked the way the story moves, fast, with lots of twists along the way. There's romance and rebellion, and even some mystery and plotting (is Madhulika thinking of her Muzzafar Jang books?!)
The history is fascinating, and it made me want to visit Mehrauli to see where it all happened.
Very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to the sequel.
August 21, 2022
Madhulika Liddle is one of the best fiction writers in India. Her last book Woman to Woman, I feel, is one of the most underrated books of this decade. It was a masterpiece. So when her new book came out, although it was not my preferred genre - historical fiction - I grabbed a copy immediately.
The Garden of Heaven is based on a family of stone carvers who migrate to Delhi and chronicles their experiences across decades. It is an epic, multi-generational saga of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and bitterness in the backdrop of Delhi and its invasion by Mohammed of Ghur in 1192 and Taimur in 1398.
The story is narrated by a poor woman named Shagufta, who has offered refuge to an injured soldier from Taimur's army. The first story starring Madhav, Balram, Sridhar Sahu, Gayatri, and Subhadra is intriguing and keeps you glued to the pages. The second story of Jayshree and Jalal is equally captivating and even more moving. The third story of Girdhar and Amir Khusro is mystical and filled with heartwarming philosophies about humanity and life.
The characters are etched in detail and with a lot of precision. I could relate to all of them, their anxieties, their mistakes, their hopes, their dreams, and their thought processes. All are painted in shades of grey, yet I found them quite likable and worth rooting for till the very end.
The language, as expected, is flawless and filled with class. It is lucid and has a beautiful flow to it, and it is garnished with delightful, original metaphors, similes, and impeccable, apt words and phrases, which enrich the reading experience. The descriptions of Delhi are exceptional, enabling the reader to visualize everything vividly yet never seeming excessive. It is like a handbook of perfect writing. I doubt many Indian writers can write better than Madhulika Ma'am. It is such a learning experience reading her prose.
The stories are interconnected, even if they don't seem so for a long time. I am in awe of how the thread of connectivity runs through the stories spanning generations. It is truly an incredible feat. The only minor aspect I found missing was: the closure of one or two stories. I just wish Madhulika Ma'am had written one scene from Jayshree's POV to show what happens with Jalal in the end instead of simply telling it in a few lines. That would have made it even more emotional and would have given a much better closure to the otherwise brilliantly written relationship. That, I feel, would have made it even more unforgettable.
The ending is well done though; it ties almost all threads satisfyingly. Overall, The Garden of Heaven is another literary gem by one of the best writers in India. A must-read for all fiction lovers. There are a few outstanding writers like Madhulika Ma'am, and their books deserve to become bestsellers instead of the cheesy stories occupying the bestsellers lists.
4.5 stars from my side.
The Garden of Heaven is based on a family of stone carvers who migrate to Delhi and chronicles their experiences across decades. It is an epic, multi-generational saga of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and bitterness in the backdrop of Delhi and its invasion by Mohammed of Ghur in 1192 and Taimur in 1398.
The story is narrated by a poor woman named Shagufta, who has offered refuge to an injured soldier from Taimur's army. The first story starring Madhav, Balram, Sridhar Sahu, Gayatri, and Subhadra is intriguing and keeps you glued to the pages. The second story of Jayshree and Jalal is equally captivating and even more moving. The third story of Girdhar and Amir Khusro is mystical and filled with heartwarming philosophies about humanity and life.
The characters are etched in detail and with a lot of precision. I could relate to all of them, their anxieties, their mistakes, their hopes, their dreams, and their thought processes. All are painted in shades of grey, yet I found them quite likable and worth rooting for till the very end.
The language, as expected, is flawless and filled with class. It is lucid and has a beautiful flow to it, and it is garnished with delightful, original metaphors, similes, and impeccable, apt words and phrases, which enrich the reading experience. The descriptions of Delhi are exceptional, enabling the reader to visualize everything vividly yet never seeming excessive. It is like a handbook of perfect writing. I doubt many Indian writers can write better than Madhulika Ma'am. It is such a learning experience reading her prose.
The stories are interconnected, even if they don't seem so for a long time. I am in awe of how the thread of connectivity runs through the stories spanning generations. It is truly an incredible feat. The only minor aspect I found missing was: the closure of one or two stories. I just wish Madhulika Ma'am had written one scene from Jayshree's POV to show what happens with Jalal in the end instead of simply telling it in a few lines. That would have made it even more emotional and would have given a much better closure to the otherwise brilliantly written relationship. That, I feel, would have made it even more unforgettable.
The ending is well done though; it ties almost all threads satisfyingly. Overall, The Garden of Heaven is another literary gem by one of the best writers in India. A must-read for all fiction lovers. There are a few outstanding writers like Madhulika Ma'am, and their books deserve to become bestsellers instead of the cheesy stories occupying the bestsellers lists.
4.5 stars from my side.
June 8, 2025
Understated, multi-generational tale of two families spanning the ~200 years across the Slave, Khiliji, and Tuhglaq dynasties in Delhi, bookended by the invasions of Mohammed of Ghori and Taimur. Evocative of the political, social, and cultural milieu of the times, but not excessively so, and very nicely balanced with the personal stories of the many protagonists. The storytelling is very good: it has substance without resorting to being unnecessarily weighty or abstract. The chapters capture points in time/ short periods across the centuries but form a very cohesive tale. It's easy to connect the dots, and very satisfying to be able to sit back and visualize the whole at the end.
I feel this is how "epic" books (spanning large periods of time or space) should be: grand in scope yet accessible in their details, and walking the fine line between pulp fiction and literature (or commercial and critical), making them enjoyable for all sorts of audiences.
Am surprised how little this book is known - it deserves so much more. Highly recommend.
I feel this is how "epic" books (spanning large periods of time or space) should be: grand in scope yet accessible in their details, and walking the fine line between pulp fiction and literature (or commercial and critical), making them enjoyable for all sorts of audiences.
Am surprised how little this book is known - it deserves so much more. Highly recommend.
March 27, 2024
What an enigmatic read!
It surely is not something I expected going into reading this. The writing style is sooo very evocative , emersive and descriptive. I strongly believe the political side of this book is worded quite well. Each tale that weaves itself into the last one seems as though it's a continutation as it should be.
In my opinion the tale transported me to thr time and place which is exaclty what I needed.
I must reiterate everything from friendship, camaraderie, relationships, emotions really came through the page.
August 13, 2022
This was such an interesting read! One of the things that really struck me was the sheer ambition of this book in terms of its time span. Takes you through decades of Delhi's history in a sweeping arc and with some truly memorable characters - it introduced me to much I did not know about, and I look forward to the next 3 books in this quartet!
January 23, 2024
Shagufta......I'm speechless
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews