Before the Rains

By: Dinah Jefferies

Narrated by: Naomi Frederick

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 Books

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)

perfectly romantic

I absolutely loved this book. it painted such a beautiful scene. I highly recommend it!!

Rajputana's Prince and the Burning of Widows...

The story starts in Rajputana, where Eliza a British daughter to a loving father, witnesses her father's death in India's fight for freedom from the Brits. Years later, after a failed marriage, and a strained relationship with her mother, Eliza comes back to India again as an inspiring photographer on a commission from Britain to photograph India and its people and Rajputana's royal family, there she meets Prince Jay, her destiny. The story was supposed to be romantic, adventurous and exciting, it had an aspect of all that but it's also dull... though educational.

Felt transported to another world

This book feels like being in a constant state of reverie: The scenery, the colours, scents... All beautifully described. Add to this a love story and a plot to kill and overthrow the maharaja with British colonialism as a background.

Although each characters came to life on their own, I felt there was a missed opportunity with India. She could have been the long lost sister from another mother plotting to kill her sister in order to appropriate her lover and become wife of a maharaja 😈

evocative stroy

Loved the story with twists and turns. I have really enjoyed all these audio books

Cochrane, Glasgow

I enjoyed this beautifully written book and the lovely description India towards the end of the Raj. This is the second book by this author I have listened to and the narrator has a good range of believable voices.

Pleasant surprises

Kept me enchanted and wanting to learn more of India. Well written and read. Superb.

Before the rains

Not a patch on the tea planters wife by the same author.
It starts well but I thought the end spoilt it for me as it was a bit slushy and completely unrealistic

reflects interesting indian cultral traditions

What did you like most about Before the Rains?

The cultral easten tradition that your elders know "Whats best for you" and how that often goes against what you feel in your heart , which is right ? your hearts voice or your elders voice.

What other book might you compare Before the Rains to, and why?

of marriagable age

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All the scences where the tradtions of india came into play, both good and bad !!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moments where women had no rights,had no voice.

excellent read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Despite being a predictable love story the author wove in interesting insights into life in India from both the Indian and English perspective. Dinah Jefferies brings the country and characters to life, and the narration was excellent.

Absolutely terrific story

Well written, well researched and well narrated. A wonderful way to spend listening hours. Recommended for all romantics everywhere
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Dinah Jefferies

I was so looking forward to this book but was disappointed when reading it. Perhaps I expected too much, but not her usual can't put down read.

Romantic novel

If you like Mills & Boon style books then you will love this. Easy reading romantic novel. Nothing surprising, just pleasant escapism and all a bit obvious from the start. Well narrated by Naomi Frederick, I would listen to her again, but wouldn't read another Dinah Jefferies - not my cup of tea.