The Age of Kali

Zazzlethorpe

Has anybody read The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple? If so what were your thoughts. I am thinking of purchasing this book on-line and I just wanted to know if it was worth the trouble. From the discription it sounds interesting.

tracyprier

Actually I got it out of our local library and to be honest I found it rather depressing , got about 1/2 way and packed it in.

I have however read many good and not depressing books on India that I would heartliy reccomend. From memory...

Arrow of the blue skinned god - Jonah Blank

No fullstops in India

India - A million mutinies now

Bullet up the grand trunk road - Jonathan Gregson

In Clives footsteps

Chasing the monsoon - ALexander Frater

__________________
India...Wild At Heart

tracyprier

ALso forgot 2 excellent books (particularly if you love elephants)

Travels on my elephant & Queen of the elephants by Mark Shand

Annie_T

I didn't find it depressing at all. Gave me a lot more understanding of the whole region. William Dalrymple is a great writer - if you've been to or are intending to tgo to Delhi, try City of Djinns as well.

RobL

Dalrymple is God! I loved every single one of his books and am meeting him next week to get his new one signed! Age of kali is great and City of Djinns is a total must read. I'm currently reading 'No Full Stops in India' (by Mark Tully) which is also very good. And then of course there's 'Are you experienced' by William Sutcliffe which really hits the spot if you've travelled in India.

cyberhippie

Great book, a insight into the "real India" After finishing the book, I was struck by the thought; that no matter how hard we try to assimlate our unworthy? "western" souls into the Indian melting pot. We continue to skate over the surface of a huge enigma!
I loved the training videos for the Tamil Tigers, do they pay Royalty's.

brianct

while ive been here in india, ive begun to read William Dalyrymple's two india books Age of Kali, and Djinns. the latter is on Delhi, new and old. Ive quite enjoyed these books, the anecdotes in them and the offbeat view of india. Who else has read them? And whats your opinion of the books?

jobu

i think William Dalrymple is brilliant, I would say one of my favourite travel writers. He really is journalist, historican, traveller, and obviously very smart and open-minded person together in one!
I think the most I still like his first book "In Xanadu. A Quest" - a trip following Marco Polo.

Dino

Yes,he's a fantastic writer.He also made three great TV documentaries called 'Indian Journeys' a trilogy.They were produced by Icon Films in the UK.They have a website but am not sure of the address.I found them by Google but have deleted the links after buying the series.

sillylilly

I have read both books but its been a while. What I recall is that both books were written with a slightly humorous irreverant touch that brought the past more alive. I also felt that he has a more positive view of the influence of Islam on India than other people might have. He is a good writer. Have you read White Moghuls? Its an interesting account of a real life love affair set in Hyderabad. I rather like this book the best.

ddutta

Can try this link
http://www.williamdalrymple.com/

Rob_The_Pom

I think he's a fantastic writer, although I know there are some people on this forum who aren't quite so keen on him.
He captures the sense of 'place' so well, that you feel like you are there.

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Alan D

I too, have read and enjoyed most of Dalrymple's books, though I must admit I flagged a bit in the middle of "White Moghuls" - almost too much detailed research to cope with, but I eventually finished it. Can't help feeling it would make a good Merchant/Ivory type film.

I've noticed too that Dalrymple gets criticised, among other things, for being Christian, anti-Hindu and pro-colonial but nobody gives any evidence for this. Can't see it myself.