India Gray: Historical Fiction

Each of the short stories is completely different, in setting. Enjoyed them all. Although I am from India I was born at the tail end of the Raj and it was nice to get some insight into the lives of the British in India.

This is a book of short stories, it's not a full length novel, but several stories in one book.I find it best to read a story, then something else, and then another story, and not the whole book at once. I found it interesting, but not as engaging as the 3 full length novels that she wrote.

INDIA GRAY by Sujata Massey This collection consists of two novellas and two short stories. Both novellas, Outnumbered at Oxford and The Ayah’s Tale are peopled by well formed characters and have detailed and nuanced plots with introduction, plot development and conclusion. Outnumbered at Oxford introduces characters found in the full length novel, THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL. The two short stories are quite brief and include only one incident with little characterization. India Gray is the much more satisfying story for both character and plot. Bitter Tea simply leaves one wanting more. Outnumbered at Oxford gives the reader of MALABAR HILL the back story of what transpired during Perveen’s banishment to England and introduces Alice, Perveen’s good friend, who has a role in MALABAR HILL. Both women find themselves bending the strict rules at St. Hilda’s College to solve the disappearance of a mathematical paper and a young man. The Ayah’s Tale is a treatise on social class, including the vast social differences between Indians (in their own country) and English colonists during a time of growing desire for Indian independence. It leaves the reader wanting another tale to fill in the gap between the story and the epilogue. The writing and research involved for all four tales is detailed and gives depth and interest to each story. A good introduction to an excellent writer. 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the setting and the well developed characters. I have also read The Widows of Malabar Hill. I love to read really good stories while also learning about life in a different time and place.

A real eye opener. I've read and loved Massey's work consistently but this collection was a new experience. Marvelously written.

I prefer her Shimura series. This novel was depressing because of its description of India, its caste system, and the misuse of women.

This collection of novellas was really fun to read. For me this was an introduction to a new author and I'm so glad I took the plunge. I liked the first mystery so much that I also bought the first book in the follow-up series. The author is a terrific storyteller who was able to thread the very compelling storylines into a tour of historical India. She didn't flinch at the misdeeds of the colonial era or other prickly pre-Independence issues. It was clear she spent a massive amount of time researching the times, places, and happenings, and the characters were well developed and believable - so much so that it was easy to imagine being in a character's sandals and speculate on "what would I do if that happened to me?" The endings had a twist to keep the reader guessing to the last page. I'm eager to read more of her work.

I liked the variety of stories, each one about a slightly different time but all with an Indian or Asian flavor. For such short stories I think the character development is remarkable. I enjoyed reading more about situations I already was vaguely aware of. For instance, local resistance to jihadists, and info about the INA in Assam. I highly recommend Sujata Massey!

I really enjoyed this collection of storues all featuring strong but utterly real and rwalistic women characters. They are well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I appreciated the posotive, hopeful endings. We already live in a world of horrors and injustice, we don’t need it in fiction as well. Thank you Ms Massey for delighing us with your writing

Had read The Widows of Malibar Hill and was introduced to Perveen Mistry character. Enjoyed the short mystery with her in Oxford and the other stories included in this book.

Unusual setting for excellent stories.

Stories kept me riveted to the end

I liked how the history of Banglades and India was told with the exemple of an INian family.