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That Sweet and Savage Land
Trapped in a passionless marriage, young Englishwoman Elizabeth Delacourt flees to India at the height of British imperialism, where the man she loves and her husband are serving in the British army
285 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1991
About the author
Emma Drummond
24 books15 followersA pseudonym used by Edna Dawes.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 9, 2014
Elizabeth Delacourt - married and left behind in the care of her oh-so-boring husband's wife and sisters whilst he went off to India to serve with the Dragoons (I think that was his outfit). Elizabeth has a sharp mind, and sitting around painting watercolors and shopping for ribbons and whatnot are just not her thing. She makes an extended visit to her old governess and while there, she meets Hussar officer John Stavenham (he's on leave to sort out his dead relative's estate). The pair hit it off, but John assumes Elizabeth is a widow and Elizabeth is so wrapped up in her attraction she fails to correct the misunderstanding until it's too late.
No spoilers here since this is on the inside flap, but John returns to India with a broken heart. Elizabeth decides to join her husband in India when she hears John's outfit is returning to England only to have a big surprise when she gets there...
That's the gist of it. I did enjoy this, but it isn't one of Drummond's stronger novels. The romantic element just wasn't there as it is in Scarlet Shadows or Forget The Glory, nor was the chemistry between Elizabeth and John strong enough to carry a so-so story that's easily forgotten as soon as the book is finished. Worthwhile for Drummond's fans, but I wouldn't recommended going out of your way to hunt it down. Library only.
No spoilers here since this is on the inside flap, but John returns to India with a broken heart. Elizabeth decides to join her husband in India when she hears John's outfit is returning to England only to have a big surprise when she gets there...
That's the gist of it. I did enjoy this, but it isn't one of Drummond's stronger novels. The romantic element just wasn't there as it is in Scarlet Shadows or Forget The Glory, nor was the chemistry between Elizabeth and John strong enough to carry a so-so story that's easily forgotten as soon as the book is finished. Worthwhile for Drummond's fans, but I wouldn't recommended going out of your way to hunt it down. Library only.
Displaying 1 of 1 review