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Before the Rains

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Before the Rains

By: Dinah Jefferies
Narrated by: Naomi Frederick
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of Before the Rains by Dinah Jefferies, read by Naomi Frederick.

A gripping, heart-wrenching tale of love against the odds from number one Sunday Times best-selling author Dinah Jefferies.

Rajputana, India, 1930. Since her husband's death, 28-year-old photojournalist Eliza's only companion has been her camera. When the British government sends her to an Indian princely state to photograph the royal family, she's determined to make a name for herself. But when Eliza arrives at the palace, she meets Jay, the Prince's handsome, brooding younger brother. Brought together by their desire to improve conditions for local people, Jay and Eliza find they have more in common than they think. But their families - and society - think otherwise. Eventually they will have to make a choice between doing what's expected and following their hearts.

©2017 Dinah Jefferies (P)2017 Penguin Audio 20th Century Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Royalty Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

''Beautifully written and heart-rending, Dinah Jefferies has a remarkable gift for conjuring up another time and place with lush descriptions, full of power and intensity.'' (Kate Furnivall on The Silk Merchant's Daughter)
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I’m sure I lived in India in a previous life. I just love British India novels. I have been to India numerous times and I can see the Author has done her research. I learnt some things about Indian traditions in the book - in particular Sati-Widow burnings, which I will research further. It made me understand fully the pressures on women in Indian society and where some negative views of women have previously come from, but filtered through to modern society. I enjoyed Naomi Frederick’s narration and her adding an Indian accent for the Indian characters.

Love British Raj Era books!

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The Narrator was fabulous! The way she told the story was wonderful. I just couldn't stop listening.

I fell in love with this book!

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l liked the character of Eliza, even though at times she seemed naive in her attitudes.
I also found the character of the Englishman she had promised to marry absolutely infuriating....therefore he was well written.
The general arrogance of the British Raj of that time in history was well portrayed. Indian culture is ancient & diverse the British rode roughshod over all so that could plunder the resources of Indian subcontinent.

The extreme differences between the two cultures at a time in history that is not always understood.

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