The View from my Window

Book Reading - Flowers in the Blood by Gay Courter

General Comment:As mentioned earlier on my April 19 2007 post, I have embarked on writing a few words on all the books that I may read in my retirement. I will reread few books which I read over last few years - this to allow me to capture some good essence from the readings.

This book is about Jews in India in the nineteenth century. Since my ancestory is from India, the book is an important source for me to understand  the coming, acceptance and development of Jews in India . Jews did well in India and Jews do   acknowledge that India is the only country in the world where they were not harassed or persecuted.

The author,Gay Courter,  has based the story on some real murder of Leah Judah on the first of October 1858 in Calcutta -a capital of British rule at that time in India. Calcutta was known as the City of Palaces. The book I read is a soft cover and has 630 pages.

The book provides the background of opium trade and related wars with China at that time . 

This book was given to my wife by a lady (Annaliese) . Annaliese was a customer at our store run by my wife  in Petawawa . They became good friends and Annaliese spent many hours with my wife to talk about general happenings in life.

The author has developed the story based on true murder at that time but weaving in some authentic incidents in India at that time. Very interesting book  and worth reading. She has provided description of Opium and Tea Plantations in India at that time.

Pravin Shah