Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Twentieth Wife  By  cover art

The Twentieth Wife

By: Indu Sundaresan
Narrated by: Sneha Mathan
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.46

Buy for $19.46

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses, a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire.

Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, The Twentieth Wife sweeps listeners up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim - and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman, a legend in her own time, who was all but lost to history until now.

©2002 Indu Sundaresan (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Sundaresan writes in the great tradition of the Indian epic, an art she carries forward with grace and brilliance....This is a remarkably readable book despite the historical basis, with which many readers will not be familiar." (Library Journal)
"Sundaresan's debut is a sweeping, carefully researched tale of desire, sexual mores, and political treachery set against the backdrop of 16th- and 17th-century India....[She] charts the chronology of the Mughal Empire, describing life in the royal court in convincing detail and employing authentic period terms throughout." (Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: The Best Indian Authors to Listen to Right Now


"India," to quote actress and human rights activist Shabana Azmi, "is a country that lives in several centuries simultaneously." Just as those different time periods seem to coexist in one place, so do the voices of brilliant literary talents. Each of these writers and their works have contributed to help the world better understand this expansive country and its beautiful, multifaceted culture, whether it be from within India’s own borders or through the memory of its customs and traditions from distant continents.

What listeners say about The Twentieth Wife

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,431
  • 4 Stars
    541
  • 3 Stars
    220
  • 2 Stars
    52
  • 1 Stars
    23
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,450
  • 4 Stars
    264
  • 3 Stars
    57
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,182
  • 4 Stars
    397
  • 3 Stars
    157
  • 2 Stars
    32
  • 1 Stars
    20

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

I learned a lot from this book. I love books of historical nature. I have read many accounts of Cleopatra and that time period. This account of Mogul India was new for me. Some parts were hard. Some of the cruelty was over and above what I could have imagined. I look forward to the sequel. Hope it is same narrator, I really enjoyed her a lot.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this perspective on history!

Simply amazing!! A wonderful glimpse into the world of the Moghul Empire through the eyes of an intelligent young woman

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Story!

I enjoyed this book very much! If you want something different for a change this is it! I look for books of strong women who overcome great difficulties and make a difference. This story contains historical facts woven into rich descriptions by this wonderful narrator that you can almost smell the flowers through her voice I look forward to the rest of the series!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator does a phenomenal job

Beautiful story made even better by the fantastic narrator. The narrator did such an amazing job! The story is lovely but the way the narrator tells it is what really pulled me in.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Beautifully written and narrated. Can't wait for her next novel. Vivid descriptions. Characters developed nicely. A love story for the ages.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully lyrical - a true delight!

I loved this book, and the Feast of Roses, as well. It brought the Mogul Empire to life and kept me rapt for hours. The reader was splendid.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and intriguing story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I couldn't stop listening to this book! The story was so interesting and different from anything I was familiar with and the narrator was very enjoyable to listen to! I would highly recommend this book, this author and this narrator! See other books by this author!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good read

I really enjoyed listening to this book. it wasn't a book that I could speed through, I had to actively listen but it was great. there were se dry parts but overall I really enjoyed the historical aspects. starting the second one now!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enticing

loved it.wonderful to listen to. As a true India lover, I imagined every scene in this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this book very much!

The book was well written and the narrator was a perfect fit for the telling of this story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!