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The Siege of Krishnapur (Empire Trilogy, #2)

J.G. Farrell,

Pankaj Mishra

Start date: July 1, 2021

Finish date: July 31, 2021

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What Members Thought

May 30, 2018 Kristel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books, 1001-challenge, india

Fictional tale of the Sepoy Uprising in India in 1857 to 1858 written by J. G. Farrell and winner of the Booker in 1973. The story was well written and very readable. A siege is not a pretty thing, to be surrounded by the enemy and all you have are limited resources of defense (both arms and men), food, water, it tells the tale from an every shrinking world. At first the British have it all and then soon, they only struggle to stay alive. It really is a comedy of Victorian manners and the humor ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2009 Judith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, literature-british, award-booker-prize, 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die, lists-bloom-s-western-canon, kindle-edition, lists-guardian-s-1000-best, 1001-books-read-to-date, 1001-challenge

Though some sections of this novel were hard to get through, and I was often stumped by antiquated English terms and Indian vocabulary as well as my ignorance of the terrain at the center of the story, I think it is one of the best I have ever read. I was captivated by the different philosophies; the history; and the realism of the characters, events and circumstances. I was fascinated by the evolution and devolution of the characters as they passed through the different stages of their ordeal. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Bryn Lerud rated it it was amazing

I read this 13 years ago and again last month. It’s a fantastic read. Part of Farrells Empire Trilogy. The first one is about Ireland, this is the second one. The third is about Singapore. Theme is the follies of the British Empire.

The siege is based on historical events in the mid 1800’s. The British have taken over India and have opium factories all over the place. The native people rebelled and, in this case, were under siege for many months but were finally rescued by troops.

I found the en ...more

1 like · Like · see review