|
|
|
|
|
Authors: William Dalrymple, Olivia
Fraser
Watched over and protected by the
mischievous, invisible djinns -- fire-formed
spirits that are said to assure the
city's Phoenix-like regeneration --
Delhi has, through their good offices,
been saved from destruction many times
over the centuries. With an extraordinary
array of characters, from elusive
eunuchs to the last remnants of the
Raj, Dalrymple’s book is a unique
and dazzling feat of research. Over
the course of a year he comes to know
the bewildering city intimately, and
conveys its magical nature, peeling
back successive layers of history,
and interlacing innumerable stories
from Delhi’s past and present.
Full of wit, City of Djinns explores
the seven "dead" cities
of Delhi as well as the eighth city-today's
Delhi. Entertaining, fascinating,
and informative, City of Djinns is
a delightful blend of research and
adventure.
From Library Journal
Delhi has a richly layered past, and Dalrymple (In Xanadu, McKay, 1990)
deftly peels away each layer to reveal how the city came to be what it
is today. Djinns are spirits said to be seen only after prolonged fasting
and prayer; they too are integral to understanding the city. The author,
a young Scot carrying on the fine British tradition of travel writing,
has a knack for meeting fascinating people and capturing their most revealing
remarks. He introduces us to dervishes, eunuchs, partridge fighting, weddings,
and expatriates. His wife (Olivia Fraser) contributes sketches that nicely
complement his text. Considering the importance of Delhi, the capital
of the world's second most populous nation, this book deserves to be in
most public and academic libraries.
Harold M. Otness, Southern Oregon State Coll. Lib., Ashland
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. |
|
$15.00 (softcover)
 |
|
|
|
|
|
E-mail: