A Firestorm in Paradise: A novel on the 1857 Uprising
Rana Safvi's 'A Firestorm in Paradise' plunges readers into the pulsating heart of Shahjahanabad, the historical hub of old Delhi, just prior to the cataclysmic events of the 1857 Uprising. Set against the transformative landscape of India, this narrative intricately intertwines the intimate and the grand, with Princess Falak Ara—daughter of the last Mughal ruler, Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar—at its core. As the British influence intensifies, Falak Ara finds herself ensnared in a conflict between her sheltered existence within the Red Fort's confines and the allure of the vibrant world outside. Compounding her struggle, a forbidden love blossoms with a salatin, or noble, drawing her into the impending turmoil of revolution. Safvi’s exquisite prose vividly captures the sights, sounds, and fervent emotions of a city teetering on the brink of seismic upheaval. This heartrending tale not only delves into the chaotic currents of history but also venerates Old Delhi as an animated character, rich with its own rhythms and narratives. 'A Firestorm in Paradise' stands as a mesmerizing amalgamation of historical intrigue and romantic passion, inviting readers into a textured, immersive tapestry of a critical era in Indian history.
- Author: Rana Safvi
- Publisher: Penguin (22 April 2024); aminjikarai ch-29
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- ISBN: 978-0143466048
- Pages: 448 pages