The Splendor of Silence

De: Indu Sundaresan

Narrado por: Sneha Mathan

From internationally best-selling author Indu Sundaresan comes a heartrending tale of tragic love and clashing cultures in World War II India.

In 1942 Sam Hawthorne, a young U.S. Army captain, arrives in a tiny, princely state in western India. He carries combat wounds and several secrets, one of which is the real reason behind his visit: to find his brother Mike, an idealistic American soldier who disappeared after joining the local struggle for independence from the British.

But Sam's mission is soon threatened when he falls in love with Mila, daughter of the local political agent. Betrothed to the local prince, Mila draws Sam into a doomed affair that places them both in the path of dynastic intrigue, racial prejudice, and the explosive circumstances of a country torn between imperialism and nationalism.

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

The story seemed forced

I am an Indu Sundaresan fan and have thoroughly enjoyed the Taj trilogy. In fact it is only because of those three books that I have learnt so much about the Mughal rulers, their zenana and the various facets of that period. It was with that very pleasant experience in mind that I downloaded this book. I was disappointed. The story seemed forced. The Burmese portions seemed incomplete and unnecessary as if the author was lightly touching the tips of a detail and then abandoning it without further embellishment. The jumping between two periods left me with a feeling of never being able to get my teeth into the story. And t]hough it was Rajasthan being described, the local feel, customs and descriptions were not in tandem. All in all it was not a satisfactory experience. The story did not make any sense whatsoever.
Sneha Mathan was her usual excellent self. Her narration and the different accents that she has used have carried this mediocre tale and placed it way above where it actually belongs.

Loved this audiobook

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I read not so great reviews somewhere else. So I was pleasantly surprised. The narrator really makes this book a great listen! I have now heard all of Indu Sundaresan's books on audible and I really enjoyed them.

Just loved this book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Splendor of Silence to be better than the print version?

I absolutely loved this book. I must admit it was a bit slow at first, but when I finished the book I re-listened to the first 2 chapters and they were bitter sweet after hearing the whole book and knowing the ending.
The narrator is unknown until the end of the book, and is beautifully revealed. It is a really beautiful storey and worth the listen.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the performers various accents, the rich detail of landscape and food in India

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the only real love scene between Mia and Mike.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, after I got through the slow start

Interesting book but a little long.

The end of the book almost finishes in the last five minutes of the audiobook. The meaning of the title explained. Other than that, it gives a very vivid elaborate picture of INDIA under the British with the stirrings of the national movement for freedom. The narrator has mispronounced a couple of words. But that can be ignored.
In all a good listen.

Good Listen!

This book was not as captivating for me that her other books (the 20th Wife and A feast of roses) was, but it got better halfway through. It's the wonderful job that Sneha Mathan does narrating these books that make them so wonderful to listen too that makes the download worth it. I am looking forward to the next book written by Indu S. to come available.