Before the Rains - Dinah Jefferies

Written by Dinah Jefferies
Read by Naomi Frederick
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

· Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
· Release date: 02-23-17
· Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

1930, Rajputana, India.

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 non-conformist, and mysterious younger brother. Eliza is no stranger to India, having previously left Delhi with her mother in 1912 at the tender age of eleven, after witnessing the terrible death of her father. Confident she can put this tragedy behind her. Despite her independence and easy-going nature, Eliza has to bend backwards to adapt and fit in, finding the customs and family traditions continually standing in her way.

Eager to capture the spirit and essence of the real royal family and their opulent culture, she is undeterred by these conventions. She strikes an unusual bond with Jay when she finds they have a common interest. This soon draws them much closer than is socially comfortable for not only the royal inhabitants, but for the British community who follow a strict code of conduct for British women, particularly where relationships with Indian men are concerned.

While Eliza awakens Jay to the poverty of his people, he awakens her to the injustices of British rule. Soon 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, or following their hearts. . .Eliza’s life becomes increasingly complicated when she discovers that Clifford, the man who helped secure her current work position, has ulterior motives for helping her. … Long hidden secrets will eventually surface which are both shocking and revealing for Eliza.

Before The Rains is a beautifully written novel, which transports you back to a time when the British Empire was still heavily influencing India, and it gives the reader a real insight into the customs and traditions of the country in the 1930’s. As with all Jefferies’s novels, her research is impeccable