Setting
India in 1921 was under British rule. All over the country, there were struggles to gain independence. Gandhiji had launched the Non-Cooperation movement with the aim of self-governance. It was an essentially peaceful and non-violent movement with widespread hartals, refusal to pay taxes, boycotting foreign goods, government educational institutions etc. Use of handspun fabric khadi was encouraged. King George V sent Prince of Wales on his behalf as the ambassador of the British Empire to thank India for the role it played during the First World War. Indian National Congress(INC) resolved to boycott the Prince’s visit.
Storyline
The book follows the exploits of Parveen Mistry during Prince of Wales visit to Bombay. In the times when higher education for women was frowned upon, Parveen is one of the first female lawyers of India. She is a supporter of Indian independence. When the Prince of Wales visits Bombay, there is unrest all across Bombay leading to rioting. Parveen also is a reluctant audience to the welcoming parade for Prince. She watches it with her friend Alice Hobson-Jones at Woodburn College. When the body of a Parsi student, Freny Cuttingmaster is found on college premises, Parveen resolves to bring the guilty to justice. Freny was the same girl who had approached her a few days earlier for legal consultation.
My Thoughts
The Bombay Prince is the third book in the Parveen Mistry series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. Parveen is shown to balance her religious and family values well with her quest to solve the mystery. Sujata Massey has given an informative insight into the Parsi customs and traditions, blending them beautifully in the storyline. The story keeps you engrossed along with delineating the social, cultural and political environment of the 1920s. Having said that, I feel The Bombay Prince does not have an as strong narrative as the first two books in the series. Parveen appears to be more cautious in this. Overall an entertaining cosy mystery that I would highly recommend.
No comments:
Post a Comment