The Far Pavilions

By: M. M. Kaye

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Length: 48 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

When The Far Pavilions was first published 19 years ago, it moved the critic Edmund Fuller to write this: "Were Miss Kaye to produce no other book, The Far Pavilions might stand as a lasting accomplishment in a single work comparable to Margaret Mitchell's achievement in Gond With the Wind." From its beginning in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, M. M. Kaye's masterwork is a vast, rich, and vibrant tapestry of love and war that ranks with the greatest panoramic sagas of modern fiction.

The Far Pavilions is itself a Himalayan achievement, a book we hate to see come to an end. it is a passionate, triumphant story that excites us, fills us with joy, move us to tears, satisfies us deeply, and helps us remember just what it is we want most from a novel.

©1978 M.M. Kaye (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Held attention entire time. Amazing actor for narrator!

I'm so glad I bought this audiobook. It was the longest audiobook I've ever listen to you, but I did not feel long at all – the narrator was an amazing actor. The book went by very quickly for me. The best way I can describe it is this story is India's version of Forrest Gump during the era of British colonial rule. How have I not heard about this book before?

wonderful Story!

It as good as I remembered it to be , as I read it 40 years ago!

Yawn

struggled to finish....good character development....great performance but unless you are into military battles and complex political agendas don't bother

wonderful, breathtaking epic!

I loved this book and did not want it to end. Beautifully written with rich and fascinating characters. I felt like I was there.

Fabulous !!!

I have read this book many years ago and have listened to the audio twice. It never fails to entrance me with its vivid descriptions of India and Afghanistan. It’s romantic and enthralling. M. M. Kay’s finest.

Repetitive and Predictable

This book is perfect for lonely housewives who may be willing to accept all the hyperbole. Everything is so drawn out and predictable. I found myself hitting the skip forward button to get rid of some of the deadwood. Hmmm, I wonder if they will go to the valley to live happily ever after.

saw and liked BBC 6 hour adaptation

glad I was finally able to find and read this book. the author has a great deal of detail and that can go on; but it's overall a good stories, the characters are very likeable, and the culture is presented pretty well.

THIS IS NO ORDINARY NOVEL!!

What made the experience of listening to The Far Pavilions the most enjoyable?

If there could be a perfect novel, or book, than this is it. Everything you have ever wanted in a story is written on over 900 pages and it brought tears to my eyes to see it finally offered on Audible.
I have read this novel many times and everything else by M.M. Kaye, it is like finding a long lost friend and though I haven`t even listened to this program yet, I already know that it will be the best 48 hours of my reading history.
This is an epic story that covers ever emotion known to man, transporting you to far away places and lingers on your mind long after it ends.......

What other book might you compare The Far Pavilions to and why?

Shantaram

Have you listened to any of Vikas Adam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet

Who was the most memorable character of The Far Pavilions and why?

Ashton

Any additional comments?

I wish there were a zillion more M. M. Kaye novels hidden somewhere and we just found them. I can dream!!

A Romantic Epic

This is a HUGE book - at 80 hrs long its a commitment but for your money its excellent value as there are not just one story but many stories all of them well written and reasonably well told by Vikas Adam (although his british accent was woeful). There were slightly dull passages, there were incredibly exciting passages and there were boring bits that connected the stories.

M M Kaye published this as just the one massive book but in reality it could easily have been 4 big books. I think it would have been a better tale if it had been 4 books as the dull passages would have had to be more interesting to keep the reader reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and the final story of the Second Afghan war and the mission to Kabul was wonderfully written and terribly exciting - as a piece of descriptive writing it was amongst the best I heard. Sadly the end was predictable, soppy and very abrupt and it left me feeling disappointed that the ends weren't more appropriately tied off.

I'd recommend this book to those interested in life in the British Raj of 1870s, romantics who are looking for more than a bodice ripper and those who enjoy a long tale with lots of characters.

Swept Away again and again

If you could sum up The Far Pavilions in three words, what would they be?

Ultimate love story

What other book might you compare The Far Pavilions to and why?

The Princess Bride, love against impossible odds.

Which character – as performed by Vikas Adam – was your favorite?

Ashton

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

LoL...if I could stay awake that long

Any additional comments?

You will fall in love with the rich description of India. You will see it through the eyes of Ashton Martin and the hills and palaces will be almost real. You will watch a character develope into a man, fall in love and fight almost impossible odds. The wars, caste system, bravery, and loyalty make it an adventurous read. Ashton and Anjulie's love make it unforgettable. It is to this day my favorite book, and I've read a lot of books.