The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley is a captivating saga that spans early 20th century India and England to modern-day England in 2011. The book intricately weaves together the lives of characters like Anahita, Princess Indira, and Rebecca, showcasing their struggles, relationships, and secrets. The plot transitions between different timelines, revealing heartbreaking moments, harrowing events, and the complexities of inter-race relationships during the first world war. Anahita's story, told through her diary, stands out as the most compelling aspect of the book, transporting readers to India's beautiful landscapes and the wealthy English households of the 1920s.

Characters:

Anahita stands out as a strong and well-crafted character, while others, especially male characters, receive criticism for being flat and lacking complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The prose excels in expository formats such as letters and diary entries but suffers from stilted dialogue and a lack of character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a captivating dual timeline that explores Anahita's life experiences and intertwines them with a modern story, fostering mystery and suspense.

Setting:

The setting oscillates between early 20th century India and England, effectively capturing the contrasts between wealth and poverty alongside profound cultural themes.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with slow moments in the modern storyline while the historical narrative maintains a more engaging tempo.

Rebecca Bradley pressed her face to the window as the plane descended toward London. The patchwork quilt of different hues of green shimmered as if with early-morning dew on this beautiful summer’s da...

Notes:

The book alternates between two timelines: early 20th century India and modern-day England.

Anahita, the main character, is a companion to an Indian princess named Indira.

Anahita's story unfolds through letters and diary entries, which are well-written and compelling.

The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggles of inter-race relationships during the First World War.

Rebecca, a modern character, is an American film star whose story intertwines with Anahita's past.

The contrast between the lifestyles of wealthy English households and the abject poverty in India is depicted in the book.

Ms. Riley's writing has been praised for its storytelling, though some critiques note issues with dialogue and character depth.

Readers find Anahita's character to be strong, intelligent, and self-sufficient, providing a positive representation for the audience.

The descriptions of India’s landscapes and culture are highlighted as beautiful and vivid.

Some readers felt that despite weaknesses in the narrative, Anahita's story captured their interest completely.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings pertain to themes of social inequality, racism, and emotional distress experienced by characters.

Has Romance?

While there are romantic elements, particularly in Anahita's storyline, they are not the central focus of the book.

From The Publisher:

From the #1 international bestselling author of The Orchid House-an epic saga of two remarkable women and two love stories spanning the years from 1920s India to modern-day England.

Spanning four generations, The Midnight Rose sweeps from the glittering palaces of the great maharajas of India to the majestic stately homes of England, following the extraordinary life of a remarkable girl, Anahita Chaval, from 1911 to the present day . . .

In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impov-erished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of Indian royalty. As the princess's official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of WorldWar I. There, she meets young Donald Astbury-reluctant heir to the magnifi-cent, remote Astbury Estate-and his scheming mother.

Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she's relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to a distant cor-ner of the English countryside. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest for his family's past. What he and Rebecca discover begins to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty . . .

A multilayered, heartbreaking tale filled with unforgettable characters caught in the sweep of history, The Midnight Rose is Lucinda Riley at her most captivating and unforgettable.

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About the Author:

Lucinda Riley was the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including The Orchid House, The Girl on the Cliff, and the Seven Sisters series. Her books have sold twenty million copies in thirty-five languages globally. She was born in Ireland and divided her time between England and West Cork with her husband and four children. Visit her website at LucindaRiley.com.

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The Midnight Rose

Lucinda Riley