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Olivia And Jai
Set in 1840s India, this tale of star-crossed lovers packs a powerful punch. When Olivia, a forthright young American, comes to live with her very proper British relatives, she falls headlong into love with angry, half-caste Jai. Olivia believes nothing will ever diminish her love for Jai, but can it withstand the terrible revenge he is planning to take on the people who betrayed him? Ryman has done a good job of portraying the closed, rigidly stratified colonial society; against this background her vibrant, passionate main characters compel attention. Occasional lapses into overheated prose are disconcerting but don't impede the story's flow. Suspense, exotic locales, and strong-willed lovers make this novel a treat for romance readers.
644 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
24 people are currently reading
2380 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Ryman
5 books38 followersRebecca Ryman is the pen name of an Indian writer, Asha Bhanjdeo, who only wrote three books under this name: Olivia & Jai, The Veil of Illusions (the sequel of Olivia & Jai) and Shalimar. She died in Calcutta in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
November 26, 2015
I have a big problem with novels set in colonial India: they all have to measure up, whether I will it or no, to the arch-famous “The Far Pavilions,” that by virtue of reading it first as much as its author’s craftiness, is the golden standard for me personally. That has resulted in my experience reading all the other books with the same setting less enjoyable in some way. Novel X is inferior even if by the same author, Novel Y is too much of a wannabe and a poorer copy at that, Novel Z has a character that smells of rip-off…
I have two other smaller problems as well: they all seem to focus way too much on the buildup towards the Sepoy Rebellion, often devoting dozens of pages to dialogue in which the enlightened and pro-native character lays out his wise political advice that contrasts with the narrow-minded stupidity of the rest of his caste. And then, often the heroine is pretty unlikable because… because, that’s why. They start sympathetic enough, and at some point, they just lose it.
None of which really informed my picking of this book; zero expectations and an “Oh, en fin” probably have to do with the fact that, in the end, I liked this novel.
The first half is simply engrossing; we have young and naïve Olivia O’Rourke navigating the local social circles with her snobbish aunt and her reckless cousin, attracting the eye of two men that will be meaningful in her future and in her erring. And we have Jai Raventhorne, not as mysterious as the author tried to present him since it’s easy to guess his hot buttons from the first appearance. In my case, it’s not the mystery that had me interested, because there was none: I knew who his parents were and from that I had a surprisingly accurate guess of what his life story was like, down to how he was born and his mother’s demise. The hints were pretty obvious, to me, and I’d have appreciated a bit more careful handling of them to keep me in the dark and make the impact of the revelations later real “revelations,” not “confirmations” as it turned out. The interest lay in his mind’s workings, because everything in him is excessive, because despite all, he’s not completely messed-up in the head; he is resilient. It’s always fascinated me to see, and read about, people coming out of dire pasts with so different outcomes.
The love story follows a straightforward angsty romance arc till the middle; they can’t be together but they can’t be separate either, so they carry on with a back-and-forth furtive liaison with more anger and sexual tension than political and social critique on India—thank the old gods!—and finally they both snap in a scene that is bound to be questioned by many a reader, and that to me brought forth another of my favourite love scenes in literature, so that may account for my reaction. Politically incorrect love scenes are, if well-written, ranked highly in the Hotness Scale, and this one was. Hot and full of those life-changing moves that will push the plot till the end.
But then, the second half isn’t quite the same. Jai is mostly absent, having proceeded with that plan that would affect his and Olivia’s lives so negatively; and Olivia foolishly and in a panic takes two, no, three decisions in a row that will condemn her to a longish period of living with lies, regrets, hypocrisy, a sourness in the heart that will turn her over-the-top love for Jai into over-the-top hate, kicking off a business and personal war with him at his return with innocent victims on both sides. One is hard pushed to sympathise with her, her pride, her self-castigation, her blind spots, her resentment and the weakness in tolerating abject abuse, her thoughts that she , and especially her willingness to use Jai’s secrets to win the unscrupulous war of revenge is unpalatable. Jai is no less ruthless and hits as hard in his retaliation. The war continues to the very end, with Olivia as the winner. Or so it appears, because of the last minute twist in the last chapter that changes everything for them. I wasn’t fond of the suddenness, but it was something that brings closure of a sort to the storyline whilst leaving it open for continuation.
So… This isn’t "The Far Pavilions," nor pretends to be. It’s not as grand, as epic, and as well-written; nor does it aim to be. And I am glad for that, so glad. Because finally a novel has broken to shards the constrictive mould set up by that classic, and be judged by its own merits, criticised by its own flaws, instead of having to be rated high or low by comparison. “Olivia and Jai” can stand on its own feet, and it’s a pretty fine novel that can do that in my book.
I have two other smaller problems as well: they all seem to focus way too much on the buildup towards the Sepoy Rebellion, often devoting dozens of pages to dialogue in which the enlightened and pro-native character lays out his wise political advice that contrasts with the narrow-minded stupidity of the rest of his caste. And then, often the heroine is pretty unlikable because… because, that’s why. They start sympathetic enough, and at some point, they just lose it.
None of which really informed my picking of this book; zero expectations and an “Oh, en fin” probably have to do with the fact that, in the end, I liked this novel.
The first half is simply engrossing; we have young and naïve Olivia O’Rourke navigating the local social circles with her snobbish aunt and her reckless cousin, attracting the eye of two men that will be meaningful in her future and in her erring. And we have Jai Raventhorne, not as mysterious as the author tried to present him since it’s easy to guess his hot buttons from the first appearance. In my case, it’s not the mystery that had me interested, because there was none: I knew who his parents were and from that I had a surprisingly accurate guess of what his life story was like, down to how he was born and his mother’s demise. The hints were pretty obvious, to me, and I’d have appreciated a bit more careful handling of them to keep me in the dark and make the impact of the revelations later real “revelations,” not “confirmations” as it turned out. The interest lay in his mind’s workings, because everything in him is excessive, because despite all, he’s not completely messed-up in the head; he is resilient. It’s always fascinated me to see, and read about, people coming out of dire pasts with so different outcomes.
The love story follows a straightforward angsty romance arc till the middle; they can’t be together but they can’t be separate either, so they carry on with a back-and-forth furtive liaison with more anger and sexual tension than political and social critique on India—thank the old gods!—and finally they both snap in a scene that is bound to be questioned by many a reader, and that to me brought forth another of my favourite love scenes in literature, so that may account for my reaction. Politically incorrect love scenes are, if well-written, ranked highly in the Hotness Scale, and this one was. Hot and full of those life-changing moves that will push the plot till the end.
But then, the second half isn’t quite the same. Jai is mostly absent, having proceeded with that plan that would affect his and Olivia’s lives so negatively; and Olivia foolishly and in a panic takes two, no, three decisions in a row that will condemn her to a longish period of living with lies, regrets, hypocrisy, a sourness in the heart that will turn her over-the-top love for Jai into over-the-top hate, kicking off a business and personal war with him at his return with innocent victims on both sides. One is hard pushed to sympathise with her, her pride, her self-castigation, her blind spots, her resentment and the weakness in tolerating abject abuse, her thoughts that she , and especially her willingness to use Jai’s secrets to win the unscrupulous war of revenge is unpalatable. Jai is no less ruthless and hits as hard in his retaliation. The war continues to the very end, with Olivia as the winner. Or so it appears, because of the last minute twist in the last chapter that changes everything for them. I wasn’t fond of the suddenness, but it was something that brings closure of a sort to the storyline whilst leaving it open for continuation.
So… This isn’t "The Far Pavilions," nor pretends to be. It’s not as grand, as epic, and as well-written; nor does it aim to be. And I am glad for that, so glad. Because finally a novel has broken to shards the constrictive mould set up by that classic, and be judged by its own merits, criticised by its own flaws, instead of having to be rated high or low by comparison. “Olivia and Jai” can stand on its own feet, and it’s a pretty fine novel that can do that in my book.
June 4, 2014
What a weird, twisted book. Wow, I can't believe how much I hate this! And yet I still read 300 pages in hopes that I was mistaken, in hopes that Jai wasn't a psychopath and Olivia really did have a brain in her head ...nope
OK, I read my share of misunderstood heroes. But this nut case really takes the cake! Jai is constantly berating, criticizing, scorning and snubbing Olivia and the more abusive he is, the more she swoons over him.
Example:
Oh.My.Goodness. So really, the more he hurts you the more he loves you! My husband has never strangled me or screamed at me, I guess he doesn't love me afterall. Wow. Ive been disillusioned for 21 years...
So many people loved this book. And I really wanted to. Oh well.
Bottom line: too much melodrama, not enough story. Yes yes yes, I know there's more story to come after page 300, 300 pages in fact! but I. am. so. DONE.
By the way, I guessed the "great whoopsie". *book crashes into wall*
The gavel has fallen. verdict: Hero is a jerk. Heroine is TSTL. They deserve eachother. I award them a life of misery together.
OK, I read my share of misunderstood heroes. But this nut case really takes the cake! Jai is constantly berating, criticizing, scorning and snubbing Olivia and the more abusive he is, the more she swoons over him.
Example:
Oh.My.Goodness. So really, the more he hurts you the more he loves you! My husband has never strangled me or screamed at me, I guess he doesn't love me afterall. Wow. Ive been disillusioned for 21 years...
So many people loved this book. And I really wanted to. Oh well.
Bottom line: too much melodrama, not enough story. Yes yes yes, I know there's more story to come after page 300, 300 pages in fact! but I. am. so. DONE.
By the way, I guessed the "great whoopsie". *book crashes into wall*
The gavel has fallen. verdict: Hero is a jerk. Heroine is TSTL. They deserve eachother. I award them a life of misery together.
January 10, 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars
Screwed-up brooding badboys make my heart and loins a-flutter, and Jai is one hell of a tortured soul. Born in 19th century India to an Indian serving girl and an unknown Englishman, he belongs to neither community and has spent his life enraged and embittered. He's ruthlessly built up his business empire, and just as ruthlessly has built a barrier around himself. He cares for nothing or no-one, his black heart angry and alone. Yum.
Olivia is a feisty young American, sent to live with her English aunt and uncle in India who share a mutual hatred with Jai. Olivia's first encounter with him brings instant chemistry, and after many secret meetings, unheeded warnings and a whole army of inner demons for Jai to battle, she finally tames her man. So a HEA, right?
Wrong.
Something happens - something big - and Olivia and Jai are blown to smithereens. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Olivia's obsessional love for Jai turns into obsessional hatred; she'll stop at nothing till her revenge is complete.
The first half of this book is fabulous, full of tortured minds and simmering passions, ending with an absolute jaw-dropper of plot twist. The second half couldn't quite match it's pace and intensity though. A old dark secret and it's new repercussions are blatantly clear long before their reveals, and I grew increasingly annoyed by Olivia's pig-headed pride that blinded her to the bleedin' obvious. Slap that woman now.
Despite my niggles, I still couldn't put this book down, and it's my favourite read of the year so far.
Screwed-up brooding badboys make my heart and loins a-flutter, and Jai is one hell of a tortured soul. Born in 19th century India to an Indian serving girl and an unknown Englishman, he belongs to neither community and has spent his life enraged and embittered. He's ruthlessly built up his business empire, and just as ruthlessly has built a barrier around himself. He cares for nothing or no-one, his black heart angry and alone. Yum.
Olivia is a feisty young American, sent to live with her English aunt and uncle in India who share a mutual hatred with Jai. Olivia's first encounter with him brings instant chemistry, and after many secret meetings, unheeded warnings and a whole army of inner demons for Jai to battle, she finally tames her man. So a HEA, right?
Wrong.
Something happens - something big - and Olivia and Jai are blown to smithereens. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Olivia's obsessional love for Jai turns into obsessional hatred; she'll stop at nothing till her revenge is complete.
The first half of this book is fabulous, full of tortured minds and simmering passions, ending with an absolute jaw-dropper of plot twist. The second half couldn't quite match it's pace and intensity though. A old dark secret and it's new repercussions are blatantly clear long before their reveals, and I grew increasingly annoyed by Olivia's pig-headed pride that blinded her to the bleedin' obvious. Slap that woman now.
Despite my niggles, I still couldn't put this book down, and it's my favourite read of the year so far.
August 20, 2008
A fabulous tale of star crossed lovers in 19C India. The story begins in Calcutta in 1848 as Olivia O'Rourke arrives from California to spend time with her mother's sister, Lady Bridget Templewood. Used to the freer life she shared with her father, Olivia chafes under the rigid morals of British Society, but then she accidentally meets a man reviled by her family, Jai Ravenstone. Jai is a Eurasian with a mysterious past who against all odds built up a successful shipping empire.
Despite her family's hatred of Jai and his attempts at destroying her uncle's competing shipping business, Olivia cannot overcome her overwhelming attraction to Jai and sees him at every opportunity, even though Jai himself warns her of the dangers of involvement with him. Just when it seems Olivia and Jai may be able to surmount the problems of his past and find love, Jai's obsession with destroying the Templeton's takes him on a path that utterly destroys Olivia's love for him and sends her on a path of building her own business ventures to enact her revenge against Jai.
This was a wonderful tale of love and revenge that will have you reading well into the wee hours of the morning, by page 250 or so I literally didn't come up for air until I finished it. There are many twists and turns and quite shocking surprises that will have you guessing and turning the pages until the very end. It's not quite up to the standards of The Far Pavilions, but for those seeking a well spun yarn set in 19C India during the British Raj this is one worth checking out. Five Stars.
Despite her family's hatred of Jai and his attempts at destroying her uncle's competing shipping business, Olivia cannot overcome her overwhelming attraction to Jai and sees him at every opportunity, even though Jai himself warns her of the dangers of involvement with him. Just when it seems Olivia and Jai may be able to surmount the problems of his past and find love, Jai's obsession with destroying the Templeton's takes him on a path that utterly destroys Olivia's love for him and sends her on a path of building her own business ventures to enact her revenge against Jai.
This was a wonderful tale of love and revenge that will have you reading well into the wee hours of the morning, by page 250 or so I literally didn't come up for air until I finished it. There are many twists and turns and quite shocking surprises that will have you guessing and turning the pages until the very end. It's not quite up to the standards of The Far Pavilions, but for those seeking a well spun yarn set in 19C India during the British Raj this is one worth checking out. Five Stars.
December 22, 2009
How to describe such magnificent book except by saying that : it MUST be read. It is not a love story in the strictu sensu, on the contrary, it shows how love is close to hate. The plot engages us into the story of India still under British rule where a lot of social conventions and prejudice among other factors. The end still brings big and unexpected surprises, I won't spoil this fabulous end. There is sequel to this book, The Veil of Illusion.
September 18, 2012
Loved Loved Loved it!! Why can't all books be this good. My only complaint is I wish it had an epilogue. I read some mixed reviews on the sequel and I'm not sure that I should read it.
February 5, 2023
Uf, vaya viaje ha sido este libro! No es una novela romántica pero la historia de amor/odio de Olivia y Jai es de esas que dejan huella. Situada en La India colonial, vivimos la aventura de Olivia, una muchacha americana que está pasando un año en Calcuta con su familia inglesa (que quiere que encuentre marido) y lo que acaba encontrando es a Jai, un misterioso y perturbador hombre por el que pierde todo lo que hay que perder, a pesar de que él le advierte de que no es ninguna hermanita de la caridad. Y bien que lo vamos a comprobar…
La aventura de Olivia es de esas que no da ni un respiro y, sinceramente, me lo he pasado pipa leyéndola, no hay ni un momento para aburrirte. Eso sí, es una novela de las de antes, que se toma su tiempo en situarte y que, como ya os he dicho, no es romántica.
La he disfrutado muchísimo.
La aventura de Olivia es de esas que no da ni un respiro y, sinceramente, me lo he pasado pipa leyéndola, no hay ni un momento para aburrirte. Eso sí, es una novela de las de antes, que se toma su tiempo en situarte y que, como ya os he dicho, no es romántica.
La he disfrutado muchísimo.
December 19, 2009
Olivia & Jai is one of those books with a slight old fashioned feeling that left a wonderful impression the first time I read it a couple years ago. After writing my Why I Love...Historical Fiction set in India, I wanted to reread it and see if the magic still worked.
We first meet Olivia O’Rourke, a 23 years old American with an unusual education and lots of character, during her stay in India where she spends a year with her maternal aunt, Lady Bridget Templewood, and her family. The young woman is completely in love for this new land and its culture. Every opportunity she gets, to great despair of her snobbish aunt, she’s out exploring Calcutta and doing the best she can to get to meet the locals.
One evening, during a ball, she meets a mysterious man, Jai Raventhorne. They are both curious about each other, but when Olivia mentions his name to her family, they are all shocked and immediately warn her to keep her distances from him. Clearly there’s something going on between Raventhorne and the Templewoods and nobody seems interested to talk about it or explain the reasons of the quarrel to the young American. This situation only provokes Olivia’s curiosity about Jai…
Not long after, Olivia and Jai start to meet in secret, both unable to stop the growing attraction between them. If the young woman accepts her feelings more easily, Jai tries to keep his distances at first and warns her often that despite his love, he cannot give her what she wants. Olivia is in love and she never imagined Jai’s revenge towards her family or the unbearable pain caused by his treason…
Olivia is a charming mix of wisdom and innocence. Raised by her free thinking father in the States, she was always encouraged to give her opinion and be an independent woman. Her English aunt is completely appealed by this upbringing! She is decided to transform the young woman into a lady and find her an English husband.
If I couldn’t sometimes suspend my disbelief when I read about Olivia leaving the house all alone and spend hours in the local markets or riding, I did enjoy her curiosity about the Indian culture and the fact that she tried to break free from the quite strict British society rules and seek for something else.
Her love for Jai might seem sometimes a bit naïve and suddenly excessive, but it’s her first love and she was completely swept away by the dark and mysterious young man. His happiness is her happiness. She gave herself completely to Jai without any constraints.
Jai is Eurasian and his illegitimacy is often the center of all gossip among the local British society. He is arrogant, conceited, obnoxious and sometimes, a real pain. He is also a self made man. Nobody knows who his parents were, but he made his way into the world and built an empire. He does some terrible things, but here remains the talent of Rebecca Ryman, even during the worst moments I could never really hate Jai. He never became an unsympathetic character and I would imagine it was a hard task for the author to keep him going as a real person with its faults and qualities.
There are some small aspects that kept me from giving this book 5 stars. The language was a little too modernized sometimes, but it won’t spoil any enjoyment.
This is a story of love and revenge with some twists and turns but everything works almost perfectly for me. The character development, especially Olivia who changes so much all along the story, is quite remarkable. Also the descriptions of 19th century India are enthralling. I remember especially Olivia’s visit to the market and it was so vivid I could almost taste the pastry she was eating.
Rebecca Ryman is the pen name of an Indian writer, Asha Bhanjdeo, who only wrote three books under this name: Olivia & Jai, The Veil of Illusions (the sequel of Olivia & Jai) and Shalimar. Unfortunately, she died in 2003.
We first meet Olivia O’Rourke, a 23 years old American with an unusual education and lots of character, during her stay in India where she spends a year with her maternal aunt, Lady Bridget Templewood, and her family. The young woman is completely in love for this new land and its culture. Every opportunity she gets, to great despair of her snobbish aunt, she’s out exploring Calcutta and doing the best she can to get to meet the locals.
One evening, during a ball, she meets a mysterious man, Jai Raventhorne. They are both curious about each other, but when Olivia mentions his name to her family, they are all shocked and immediately warn her to keep her distances from him. Clearly there’s something going on between Raventhorne and the Templewoods and nobody seems interested to talk about it or explain the reasons of the quarrel to the young American. This situation only provokes Olivia’s curiosity about Jai…
Not long after, Olivia and Jai start to meet in secret, both unable to stop the growing attraction between them. If the young woman accepts her feelings more easily, Jai tries to keep his distances at first and warns her often that despite his love, he cannot give her what she wants. Olivia is in love and she never imagined Jai’s revenge towards her family or the unbearable pain caused by his treason…
Olivia is a charming mix of wisdom and innocence. Raised by her free thinking father in the States, she was always encouraged to give her opinion and be an independent woman. Her English aunt is completely appealed by this upbringing! She is decided to transform the young woman into a lady and find her an English husband.
If I couldn’t sometimes suspend my disbelief when I read about Olivia leaving the house all alone and spend hours in the local markets or riding, I did enjoy her curiosity about the Indian culture and the fact that she tried to break free from the quite strict British society rules and seek for something else.
Her love for Jai might seem sometimes a bit naïve and suddenly excessive, but it’s her first love and she was completely swept away by the dark and mysterious young man. His happiness is her happiness. She gave herself completely to Jai without any constraints.
Jai is Eurasian and his illegitimacy is often the center of all gossip among the local British society. He is arrogant, conceited, obnoxious and sometimes, a real pain. He is also a self made man. Nobody knows who his parents were, but he made his way into the world and built an empire. He does some terrible things, but here remains the talent of Rebecca Ryman, even during the worst moments I could never really hate Jai. He never became an unsympathetic character and I would imagine it was a hard task for the author to keep him going as a real person with its faults and qualities.
There are some small aspects that kept me from giving this book 5 stars. The language was a little too modernized sometimes, but it won’t spoil any enjoyment.
This is a story of love and revenge with some twists and turns but everything works almost perfectly for me. The character development, especially Olivia who changes so much all along the story, is quite remarkable. Also the descriptions of 19th century India are enthralling. I remember especially Olivia’s visit to the market and it was so vivid I could almost taste the pastry she was eating.
Rebecca Ryman is the pen name of an Indian writer, Asha Bhanjdeo, who only wrote three books under this name: Olivia & Jai, The Veil of Illusions (the sequel of Olivia & Jai) and Shalimar. Unfortunately, she died in 2003.
April 30, 2012
Weird, horrible, dark….but also thrilling.
Lies, deceit, but also love. And forgiveness.
Whole lifetimes of unhappiness, but a bitter sweet hope that last.
It hurt me, it draqined me, but I still loved it!
Lies, deceit, but also love. And forgiveness.
Whole lifetimes of unhappiness, but a bitter sweet hope that last.
It hurt me, it draqined me, but I still loved it!
April 17, 2023
Proudly added to my "favorites" shelf! Move over, Trade Wind and Zemindar, and make room for Olivia and Jai!
November 23, 2023
Olivia is a young American woman who has recently moved to Calcutta to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin for a year. Her uncle, Josh Templewood, is a tea and opium trader, and Olivia spends her days at the parties of White Town (named for its English inhabitants) and listening in on her uncle's business operations. Olivia's Americanness is a strike against her for the English expatriates, but she's so charming and clever that it's never a true impediment.
While trying to escape an overzealous suitor at a house party, Oliva encounters Jai Raventhorne in the gardens. Their first meeting is charged: Jai knows more about Olivia than she expects, while he is a stranger to her, lurking in the shadows of the garden where she can't get a good glimpse of him. She knows that Jai is an enemy of her uncle, but she doesn't know much more than that.
Everything Jai says to Olivia is loaded with meaning that she isn't able to grasp yet: that she doesn't seem like the other frail memsahibs, and oblique references to the fact that he's unwelcome at the party. Jai tells Olivia that he's mad, that he's ruthless, and that he always wins. Olivia doesn't know what to think, but she instinctively tries to balk at his outsider status:
Jai is what the book refers to as both "half-caste" and "Eurasian," the son of an Englishman who won't claim him and his Indian mother. He's also the biggest enemy of Olivia's uncle, as they're playing two sides in a no-holds-barred trade war that is obviously personal.
Olivia writes in her diary that day that she has met a man that she hopes to see again. Her hopes come true, to both of their pleasure and detriment. Jai concocts ways to meet with Olivia discretely, but no matter how much time she spends with him, she can't figure him out. He's mercurial, and she never knows what will set him off. He says he loves her but he tells her to stay away. Olivia goes all-in for this forbidden love, but Jai has other plans that Olivia is not aware of.
What happens next is a devastating betrayal, the first in a long line of "revenge at all cost" decisions that shape this book. Both Jai and Olivia become embittered by their mutual obsession with the other and need to come out as the victor.
This is not a genre romance, it's more of a Wuthering Heights style romantic tale that will leave you with a bittersweet taste in your mouth. It's also a scathing rebuke of English colonialism, a necessary balm against the common Anglophilic depictions of India in the 1840s.
While trying to escape an overzealous suitor at a house party, Oliva encounters Jai Raventhorne in the gardens. Their first meeting is charged: Jai knows more about Olivia than she expects, while he is a stranger to her, lurking in the shadows of the garden where she can't get a good glimpse of him. She knows that Jai is an enemy of her uncle, but she doesn't know much more than that.
Everything Jai says to Olivia is loaded with meaning that she isn't able to grasp yet: that she doesn't seem like the other frail memsahibs, and oblique references to the fact that he's unwelcome at the party. Jai tells Olivia that he's mad, that he's ruthless, and that he always wins. Olivia doesn't know what to think, but she instinctively tries to balk at his outsider status:
"Why, are you too not English?" she blurted out, furious for having done so. How did it concern her what or who he might be?
"Why do you think that I am?"
"I don't give a damn what you are but you don't look a nat-" Flustered and embarrassed, she choked back the rest of her comment to chew angrily on her lip and fumble warily with her feet for her sandals."
"How should a native look then?" he demanded tightly, and suddenly Olivia saw that he too was angry. "Servile? Obsequious? A humble groveler at the feet of the white memsahib?"
Jai is what the book refers to as both "half-caste" and "Eurasian," the son of an Englishman who won't claim him and his Indian mother. He's also the biggest enemy of Olivia's uncle, as they're playing two sides in a no-holds-barred trade war that is obviously personal.
Olivia writes in her diary that day that she has met a man that she hopes to see again. Her hopes come true, to both of their pleasure and detriment. Jai concocts ways to meet with Olivia discretely, but no matter how much time she spends with him, she can't figure him out. He's mercurial, and she never knows what will set him off. He says he loves her but he tells her to stay away. Olivia goes all-in for this forbidden love, but Jai has other plans that Olivia is not aware of.
What happens next is a devastating betrayal, the first in a long line of "revenge at all cost" decisions that shape this book. Both Jai and Olivia become embittered by their mutual obsession with the other and need to come out as the victor.
This is not a genre romance, it's more of a Wuthering Heights style romantic tale that will leave you with a bittersweet taste in your mouth. It's also a scathing rebuke of English colonialism, a necessary balm against the common Anglophilic depictions of India in the 1840s.
May 1, 2013
Book 1 of 2. Great Book & Great love story. Ends with a cliffhanger not knowing if the Hero survives. I wish this author had done a series type book like Diana Gabaldon did with Outlander series. So many possibilities.....but unfortunately, she doesn't and the next book is so depressing and sad that I can't recommend this book to anyone.
April 26, 2020
This time reading ( 3rd ) I was able to get into the story/plot and characters a lot better.
Sometimes got a little lost in the politics of it and customs, but not enough to put down.
That being said..I was hoping for a stronger ending..like an "Afterwords" or "Epilogue?"
I dont think I will be reading the second book though, reviews have it no romance and lots of history and politics.
Sometimes got a little lost in the politics of it and customs, but not enough to put down.
That being said..I was hoping for a stronger ending..like an "Afterwords" or "Epilogue?"
I dont think I will be reading the second book though, reviews have it no romance and lots of history and politics.
May 28, 2013
Tendré cuidado de no destripar demasiado, ya que lo que vale la pena son los giros, sorpresas de la trama y las sensaciones que deja atrás, esta historia debo aceptar en un principio no me cautivaba demasiado (en las primeras páginas) pero rápidamente me sumergí en la India colonial, para ser más precisos, en Calcuta a mitad del siglo XIX, donde los ingleses eran los amos y señores de aquellas tierras bastas y exóticas, donde como grandes conquistadores intentaban imponer su hegemonía sobre el país, donde su “aparente superioridad” obligaba a los nativos a vivir bajo su yugo, su escala de valores y de moral, convirtiéndose ellos en sirvientes y seres indeseados por aquellos que llegaron a invadir su tierra, haciéndolos sentir como parias, en Calcuta los ingleses que la habitaban eran aun de mente más cerrada y menos permisiva que los que vivían en Inglaterra, por supuesto mas mojigatos.
A esta Calcuta llego Olivia, una americana que fue criada por su padre, una chica de 23 años acostumbrada a decir lo que piensa, en temas que generalmente las inglesitas “decentes” no dicen ni “pio” y menos las que viven en la India, por consejo de su padre fue a visitar a su tía, Lady Bridget (hermana de su difunta madre), viviría con ella, su tío y su prima Estelle, una chica de 18 años, chismosa y consentida pero que idolatra a Olivia, estaría con ellos durante 12 meses, para descansar del ajetreo de la fiebre del oro de su vida en California y para crear lazos con su familia materna en aquella colonia británica, donde podría desenvolverse entre las más respetadas familias inglesas.
Es así que vemos desde los ojos de Olivia la vida colonial, los paisajes, las costumbres, la comida, el clima en esa lejana tierra, desde el principio ella quedo cautivada por todo eso, aunque la rutina de las chicas de su edad la hastiaba al igual que el afán de su tía por casarla y llevarla a reuniones sociales, caminatas, donde ella tenía que plantarse cerrar la boca y sonreír y soportar las cháchara de las damas, cuando lo que ella quería es participar en los debates de los hombres, de temas como comercio, política, ganado y todo lo que había aprendido con su padre, en ocasiones su tío le permitía expresarse en esos temas, ella quería mucho a su tío, ambos tocaban temas que la apasionaban e interesaban y aprendía de todo eso.
En una de las reuniones ocasionales a las que acudió, Olivia sintiéndose frustrada y extrañando su vida en América tomo camino hacia un malecón junto al rio, donde desahogándose dio rienda suelta a las lagrimas, en esa intimidad saco todo lo que llevaba dentro, hasta que sintió una extraña presencia que la observaba, en ese instante es cuando conoce a JAI Raventhorne, con el cual mantuvo una conversación, en ese momento no pudo distinguir sus rasgos ya que él se mantenía a la sombra, solo capto un atisbo de su increíble mirada de ojos grises, pero quedo muy intrigada por ese hombre, con sus palabras y con su voz, al parecer el sabia todo sobre ella y su familia, era educado, pero jamás lo había visto en alguna otra reunión. Pero lo que más le impresiono es la reacción de sus tíos al extenderles los saludos que aquel extraño les había mandado, la conmoción fue tal que hasta su tía cae desmayada.
A partir de ahí nos iremos sumergiendo en la red de intrigas, venganzas, misterios familiares que rodean a Olivia y Jai, nadie lo quiere en Calcuta, es un mestizo, su nombre es pronunciado con recelo, eso hace crecer aun más la curiosidad hacia Jai, empiezan a encontrarse en secreto y ella cae irremediablemente enamorada de él, se ven a escondidas, pero no puede penetrar su coraza, presiente que él no le conviene, que la lastimaría, hasta el mismo hace lo imposible para alejarla de él, le advierte que el no es bueno, que nunca ha querido a nadie, no le cuenta nada de el mismo, ella lo ama a tal grado que no le importa nada, su amor es puro, me pareció a veces excesivo, el siempre misterioso, jamás sabemos lo que piensa, trata constantemente de alejarse de Olivia, pero ella no lo permite.
Un día ocurre un suceso que es donde la trama del libro da un giro brutal, da pie a que aquella Olivia que conocimos cambie por completo, que sus sentimientos hacia Jai cambien de intención pero no de intensidad, el odio, el amor, la traición, el dolor, dan rienda a suelta a una serie de decisiones que Olivia tomara y que cambiaran su vida.
Se sufre bastante, todo en esta historia es intenso, el amor, el odio, el rencor, en momentos tenía que dejar de leer para respirar, mi corazón estaba encogido, este libro TRANSMITE, aunque no estuviera contenta con algunas situaciones, me hacía sentir en verdad amor, odio, dolor o cual sentimiento que Olivia experimentara, ambos personajes son vengativos, de los mas que he conocido, así que a las que les gustan este tipo de historias amor-odio la disfrutaran bastante.
Los personajes no tienen demasiadas apariciones juntos, ni escenas con alto contenido erótico, pero no hacen falta ambas cosas, para hacer de esta historia de amor tan conmovedora.
A esta Calcuta llego Olivia, una americana que fue criada por su padre, una chica de 23 años acostumbrada a decir lo que piensa, en temas que generalmente las inglesitas “decentes” no dicen ni “pio” y menos las que viven en la India, por consejo de su padre fue a visitar a su tía, Lady Bridget (hermana de su difunta madre), viviría con ella, su tío y su prima Estelle, una chica de 18 años, chismosa y consentida pero que idolatra a Olivia, estaría con ellos durante 12 meses, para descansar del ajetreo de la fiebre del oro de su vida en California y para crear lazos con su familia materna en aquella colonia británica, donde podría desenvolverse entre las más respetadas familias inglesas.
Es así que vemos desde los ojos de Olivia la vida colonial, los paisajes, las costumbres, la comida, el clima en esa lejana tierra, desde el principio ella quedo cautivada por todo eso, aunque la rutina de las chicas de su edad la hastiaba al igual que el afán de su tía por casarla y llevarla a reuniones sociales, caminatas, donde ella tenía que plantarse cerrar la boca y sonreír y soportar las cháchara de las damas, cuando lo que ella quería es participar en los debates de los hombres, de temas como comercio, política, ganado y todo lo que había aprendido con su padre, en ocasiones su tío le permitía expresarse en esos temas, ella quería mucho a su tío, ambos tocaban temas que la apasionaban e interesaban y aprendía de todo eso.
En una de las reuniones ocasionales a las que acudió, Olivia sintiéndose frustrada y extrañando su vida en América tomo camino hacia un malecón junto al rio, donde desahogándose dio rienda suelta a las lagrimas, en esa intimidad saco todo lo que llevaba dentro, hasta que sintió una extraña presencia que la observaba, en ese instante es cuando conoce a JAI Raventhorne, con el cual mantuvo una conversación, en ese momento no pudo distinguir sus rasgos ya que él se mantenía a la sombra, solo capto un atisbo de su increíble mirada de ojos grises, pero quedo muy intrigada por ese hombre, con sus palabras y con su voz, al parecer el sabia todo sobre ella y su familia, era educado, pero jamás lo había visto en alguna otra reunión. Pero lo que más le impresiono es la reacción de sus tíos al extenderles los saludos que aquel extraño les había mandado, la conmoción fue tal que hasta su tía cae desmayada.
A partir de ahí nos iremos sumergiendo en la red de intrigas, venganzas, misterios familiares que rodean a Olivia y Jai, nadie lo quiere en Calcuta, es un mestizo, su nombre es pronunciado con recelo, eso hace crecer aun más la curiosidad hacia Jai, empiezan a encontrarse en secreto y ella cae irremediablemente enamorada de él, se ven a escondidas, pero no puede penetrar su coraza, presiente que él no le conviene, que la lastimaría, hasta el mismo hace lo imposible para alejarla de él, le advierte que el no es bueno, que nunca ha querido a nadie, no le cuenta nada de el mismo, ella lo ama a tal grado que no le importa nada, su amor es puro, me pareció a veces excesivo, el siempre misterioso, jamás sabemos lo que piensa, trata constantemente de alejarse de Olivia, pero ella no lo permite.
Un día ocurre un suceso que es donde la trama del libro da un giro brutal, da pie a que aquella Olivia que conocimos cambie por completo, que sus sentimientos hacia Jai cambien de intención pero no de intensidad, el odio, el amor, la traición, el dolor, dan rienda a suelta a una serie de decisiones que Olivia tomara y que cambiaran su vida.
Se sufre bastante, todo en esta historia es intenso, el amor, el odio, el rencor, en momentos tenía que dejar de leer para respirar, mi corazón estaba encogido, este libro TRANSMITE, aunque no estuviera contenta con algunas situaciones, me hacía sentir en verdad amor, odio, dolor o cual sentimiento que Olivia experimentara, ambos personajes son vengativos, de los mas que he conocido, así que a las que les gustan este tipo de historias amor-odio la disfrutaran bastante.
Los personajes no tienen demasiadas apariciones juntos, ni escenas con alto contenido erótico, pero no hacen falta ambas cosas, para hacer de esta historia de amor tan conmovedora.
September 6, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
A long story of romance and revenge set in the mid nineteenth century in Calcutta. I hesitate to describe it as epic as the time span is two short years despite its length of 640 pages.
Olivia is an American girl in her early twenties who has come to spend a year in India with her maternal aunt, the said aunt’s husband, and their daughter, Estelle. This period piece is set at the peak of British colonialism, where the English live in their aristocratic enclaves and only socialize with their equals, definitely not with the natives who are there only to serve those in power.
Olivia’s aunt has high hopes of marrying her off to some wealthy and titled Englishman, but Olivia has a chance encounter with a half-caste Indian (whose father happens to be an Englishman) and their fates are intertwined evermore.
Lots of intrigue and social themes, not least the opium trade.
But decisions made by Olivia were pretty hard to believe, especially for the era portrayed. I believe this book, published in 1990, has been on my shelf for twenty years or more.
The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge - 2022
Prompt #17 - A book chosen based on its spine
A long story of romance and revenge set in the mid nineteenth century in Calcutta. I hesitate to describe it as epic as the time span is two short years despite its length of 640 pages.
Olivia is an American girl in her early twenties who has come to spend a year in India with her maternal aunt, the said aunt’s husband, and their daughter, Estelle. This period piece is set at the peak of British colonialism, where the English live in their aristocratic enclaves and only socialize with their equals, definitely not with the natives who are there only to serve those in power.
Olivia’s aunt has high hopes of marrying her off to some wealthy and titled Englishman, but Olivia has a chance encounter with a half-caste Indian (whose father happens to be an Englishman) and their fates are intertwined evermore.
Lots of intrigue and social themes, not least the opium trade.
But decisions made by Olivia were pretty hard to believe, especially for the era portrayed. I believe this book, published in 1990, has been on my shelf for twenty years or more.
The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge - 2022
Prompt #17 - A book chosen based on its spine
January 31, 2023
2,5 ⭐️ Iba a darle 3, pero la protagonista y el final me han hecho bajarle media. Desde el principio no me han gustado ninguno de los dos, pero valoro que la historia me ha tenido enganchada, tiene una buena ambientación y los giros te dejan intrigada y con ganas de seguir.
El problema es que no me he creído el amor entre Olivia y Jai. Es un romance muy pasional y temperamental, pero yo solo he visto una relación de amor-odio (bastante más odio que amor, para mí). Durante todo el libro, hasta casi el final, se la pasan haciéndose putadas el uno al otro. En un primer momento era él el que no me gustaba nada y luego fue ella con sus incoherencias la que me hacía volver los ojos. En fin, que ha sido precisamente la pareja la que ha impedido que disfrutase más esta lectura.
El problema es que no me he creído el amor entre Olivia y Jai. Es un romance muy pasional y temperamental, pero yo solo he visto una relación de amor-odio (bastante más odio que amor, para mí). Durante todo el libro, hasta casi el final, se la pasan haciéndose putadas el uno al otro. En un primer momento era él el que no me gustaba nada y luego fue ella con sus incoherencias la que me hacía volver los ojos. En fin, que ha sido precisamente la pareja la que ha impedido que disfrutase más esta lectura.
May 7, 2020
5 ++!!! No sé por dónde empezar a describir lo mucho que me ha gustado esta novela, lo apasionante de su trama, la perfecta descripción y evolución de los personajes, la atmósfera envolvente....
Desde hacía mucho (el panorama en romántica es repetitivo y casi nada sorprende últimamente) no me sentía tan atrapada y emocionada en un libro. Deseaba llegar al final y temía quedarme huérfana sin esta lectura tan increíble... Creo que es una sensación que muchos pueden compartir conmigo, esa ambivalencia...
Olivia y Jai son dos personajes atrapados por un destino que no son capaces de controlar. Las decisiones que toman van guiadas por la venganza y una sensación fatalista de que es eso lo que deben hacer. Su rabia y dolor no les da respiro y hay muchos daños colaterales a consecuencia de sus actos. Pero la galería de secundarios no se queda atrás: el egoísmo infantil de Estelle, la prima de Olivia, también precipita el desastre y los tíos de Olivia, atrapados en una red de mentiras y convenciones sociales, sucumben por su propio desequilibrio psicológico. Salvo a Olivia, a todos la historia les cae grande y son incapaces de controlarla. Hasta Jai en algunos momentos se tambalea...
He leído en la red que aunque esta novela es generalmente muy bien valorada por las lectoras (perdonadme, la mayoría de las que escriben en las webs y foros son mujeres...), algunas se quejan de su lenguaje enrevesado y frases largas. Discrepo totalmente: OLIVIA Y JAI es una novela de complejidad de personajes y muy muy bien escrita. Si estamos acostumbrados a las novelas de líneas cortas y formulaciones sujeto+verbo y ya de la Kleypas y compañía y eso es lo que nos gusta, esta novela de Ryman nos costará sin duda algo más de esfuerzo. Pero vale la pena. La descripción del dolor infinito, sideral, de la protagonista, que no puede contar a nadie su tragedia, su disimulo constante, su endurecimiento, su ansia infinita de venganza que la convierte en una mujer "reseca" por dentro a pesar de su juventud, su pelea interna para que los recuerdos de aquellos momentos dulces con Jai que surgen de manera imprevista ante un olor, una luz fugaz, no la debiliten en su decisión de revancha están perfectamente descritos y te envuelven creando una atmósfera especial y mágica.
Confieso que últimamente estoy leyendo novelas con más "chicha", esos "bodice-rippers" de los 70 /80 de aventuras imparables, relaciones desestructuradas y afuncionales de personajes llenos de vida y me lo estoy pasando en grande. Estoy hasta el moño de la corrección política que hace que los cuentos para niños sean un catálogo de buenas acciones y las novelas sean juzgadas por el hecho de que sus protagonistas sean infieles o no, como si eso convirtiera la literatura en buena (o no). Pero no quiero inducir a error: OLIVIA Y JAI no es un "bodice-ripper". Es simplemente una novela magistral.
Si hubiera podido, al acabarla, habría cogido el teléfono de Rebecca Ryman y le habría dicho "Esto es! Esto sí que es...!" y me habría pasado toda la llamada (que pagaría yo, of course) hablando de estos dos chicos...
Desde hacía mucho (el panorama en romántica es repetitivo y casi nada sorprende últimamente) no me sentía tan atrapada y emocionada en un libro. Deseaba llegar al final y temía quedarme huérfana sin esta lectura tan increíble... Creo que es una sensación que muchos pueden compartir conmigo, esa ambivalencia...
Olivia y Jai son dos personajes atrapados por un destino que no son capaces de controlar. Las decisiones que toman van guiadas por la venganza y una sensación fatalista de que es eso lo que deben hacer. Su rabia y dolor no les da respiro y hay muchos daños colaterales a consecuencia de sus actos. Pero la galería de secundarios no se queda atrás: el egoísmo infantil de Estelle, la prima de Olivia, también precipita el desastre y los tíos de Olivia, atrapados en una red de mentiras y convenciones sociales, sucumben por su propio desequilibrio psicológico. Salvo a Olivia, a todos la historia les cae grande y son incapaces de controlarla. Hasta Jai en algunos momentos se tambalea...
He leído en la red que aunque esta novela es generalmente muy bien valorada por las lectoras (perdonadme, la mayoría de las que escriben en las webs y foros son mujeres...), algunas se quejan de su lenguaje enrevesado y frases largas. Discrepo totalmente: OLIVIA Y JAI es una novela de complejidad de personajes y muy muy bien escrita. Si estamos acostumbrados a las novelas de líneas cortas y formulaciones sujeto+verbo y ya de la Kleypas y compañía y eso es lo que nos gusta, esta novela de Ryman nos costará sin duda algo más de esfuerzo. Pero vale la pena. La descripción del dolor infinito, sideral, de la protagonista, que no puede contar a nadie su tragedia, su disimulo constante, su endurecimiento, su ansia infinita de venganza que la convierte en una mujer "reseca" por dentro a pesar de su juventud, su pelea interna para que los recuerdos de aquellos momentos dulces con Jai que surgen de manera imprevista ante un olor, una luz fugaz, no la debiliten en su decisión de revancha están perfectamente descritos y te envuelven creando una atmósfera especial y mágica.
Confieso que últimamente estoy leyendo novelas con más "chicha", esos "bodice-rippers" de los 70 /80 de aventuras imparables, relaciones desestructuradas y afuncionales de personajes llenos de vida y me lo estoy pasando en grande. Estoy hasta el moño de la corrección política que hace que los cuentos para niños sean un catálogo de buenas acciones y las novelas sean juzgadas por el hecho de que sus protagonistas sean infieles o no, como si eso convirtiera la literatura en buena (o no). Pero no quiero inducir a error: OLIVIA Y JAI no es un "bodice-ripper". Es simplemente una novela magistral.
Si hubiera podido, al acabarla, habría cogido el teléfono de Rebecca Ryman y le habría dicho "Esto es! Esto sí que es...!" y me habría pasado toda la llamada (que pagaría yo, of course) hablando de estos dos chicos...
July 21, 2012
Rebecca Ryman, or Asha Bhanjdeo as her real name was, was brilliant at describing emotions, and people's reactions and behavior, and was very convincing in her writing.
I like these kind of books, where the present can only be described by the past, where people are products of a dark society and how they finally break through this barrier of hate they have developed. I have seen them before, Heathcliff, Mr De Winter, Jean Valjean are examples, and they are very well crafted. So are Jai Raventhorne.
Jai is such a product of society. He is so driven by hate and revenge that he punishes people all around him, even people he cares about. Nothing is as important as his crusade and it consumes him entirely. The relentless, cold, ruthless character seems to be damaged beyond repair. What is the reason for his evil, criminal deeds? What will happen when the young, openminded woman, so different from the english judgmental society, enters his life? I understand he feels trapped when he is no longer able to control his emotions with hate, and it's really interesting to see Jai struggling with his new feelings and refusing to capitulate. Their meeting means problems, and Olivia is soon in the middle of a terrible crossfire between Jai and the people he has sworn to destroy.
Olivia is an interesting character, as well, and I was really fascinated how cruel she can be when pushed to the test. I was afraid she and Jai would literally kill each other. They have everything against them, and nothing in their favour. It is always heart-breaking to see people wrongly treated become destructive, and self-destructive even, but at the same time, it's fascinating, because somewhere deep within, they're desperate for approval more than anything and when they come into contact with love they are so confused and fragile. Jai is a layered character and Ryman was successful at provoking the reader in the same way as Olivia was provoked. I totally understand her love, hate and sorrow as well as I understand her own actions, even though I think they are very cruel.
Those who like Wuthering heights, Gone with the wind and Rebecca will definitely like this one.
I like these kind of books, where the present can only be described by the past, where people are products of a dark society and how they finally break through this barrier of hate they have developed. I have seen them before, Heathcliff, Mr De Winter, Jean Valjean are examples, and they are very well crafted. So are Jai Raventhorne.
Jai is such a product of society. He is so driven by hate and revenge that he punishes people all around him, even people he cares about. Nothing is as important as his crusade and it consumes him entirely. The relentless, cold, ruthless character seems to be damaged beyond repair. What is the reason for his evil, criminal deeds? What will happen when the young, openminded woman, so different from the english judgmental society, enters his life? I understand he feels trapped when he is no longer able to control his emotions with hate, and it's really interesting to see Jai struggling with his new feelings and refusing to capitulate. Their meeting means problems, and Olivia is soon in the middle of a terrible crossfire between Jai and the people he has sworn to destroy.
Olivia is an interesting character, as well, and I was really fascinated how cruel she can be when pushed to the test. I was afraid she and Jai would literally kill each other. They have everything against them, and nothing in their favour. It is always heart-breaking to see people wrongly treated become destructive, and self-destructive even, but at the same time, it's fascinating, because somewhere deep within, they're desperate for approval more than anything and when they come into contact with love they are so confused and fragile. Jai is a layered character and Ryman was successful at provoking the reader in the same way as Olivia was provoked. I totally understand her love, hate and sorrow as well as I understand her own actions, even though I think they are very cruel.
Those who like Wuthering heights, Gone with the wind and Rebecca will definitely like this one.
March 3, 2015
I like a good romance from time to time and a romance set in an exotic locale is an added plus -- but I expect the setting and time-frame to feel authentic. I object STRONGLY to 600 plus pages of overblown melodrama supposedly set in the 1840s in British India with characters that speak and act as if it were 1950. How in the world can a character like Estelle, cosseted young miss from a prominent British family exclaim: "I say, wasn't old Lady B an absolute scream this afternoon? As for your face, darling Coz, well I thought I'd die, just die, trying to stifle my giggles. . . I'd give anything, anything to be in London in thirty days! Marie says she changed her hair colour twice in three months and nobody in London batted an eyelash." This same young woman wears "cosmetics" at her coming-out ball, and the heroine, her American cousin, rides her horse (astride!), unaccompanied, across the countryside when she's not out shopping for new sandals. What a disappointment.
Thalassa Ali's "A Singular Hostage" is set in 1830's British India and feels SO much more real. THAT was a book I'll return to again and again.
Thalassa Ali's "A Singular Hostage" is set in 1830's British India and feels SO much more real. THAT was a book I'll return to again and again.
September 13, 2017
This is actually the second time I read Olivia and Jai--it's a favorite book of a favorite cousin, and I reread it before giving it back to her. I....regretted it. The book is a page-turner that kept me in its thrall to the end, but it was a joyless experience, and one for which I'm glad it's over.
The Plot In 60 Seconds (without spoilers): Olivia is a headstrong (no stereotypes there!) American woman staying with her British family in 1850's Calcutta during the Raj. Her uncle is a merchant who is locked in a merchant battle to the death with Jai Raventhorne, a half-Indian, half-British self-made dude with a bad-boy reputation (swoooon). Of course, Olivia feels this helpless attraction to Jai even though he warns her off, and bad stuff ensues, mostly because they both refuse to communicate like adults. And, you know, the plot must go on.
I think I've become a lot more sensitive to racism and sexism in books I read over the years, because there was some Very Not OK stuff in here that I strongly didn't like reading about, even in my diversionary historical fiction. These things include Offhand Racist Remarks, Marital Rape Is Fine, Womanhood = Motherhood And Nothing Else, Abortions Are Evil, and The Patriarchy, Generally.
Also, the book had less than I remembered about the tea trade. That was a little disappointing because those were some of the most interesting parts.
So, read this book if you like Purple Prose, "Bad Boy" Male Leads, and People Not Communicating Well Or At All, Really.
If you're looking for something historical to consume that deals much more thoughtfully with social difference, check out the BBC miniseries "North and South" with Richard Armitage. (Tried the novel, didn't love that. This is the one time you'll hear me say that the movie was better than the book.) It poses some thoughtful questions about the nature of charity, industrialization and its discontents, and the toll that trade extracts from its winners as well as its losers.
The Plot In 60 Seconds (without spoilers): Olivia is a headstrong (no stereotypes there!) American woman staying with her British family in 1850's Calcutta during the Raj. Her uncle is a merchant who is locked in a merchant battle to the death with Jai Raventhorne, a half-Indian, half-British self-made dude with a bad-boy reputation (swoooon). Of course, Olivia feels this helpless attraction to Jai even though he warns her off, and bad stuff ensues, mostly because they both refuse to communicate like adults. And, you know, the plot must go on.
I think I've become a lot more sensitive to racism and sexism in books I read over the years, because there was some Very Not OK stuff in here that I strongly didn't like reading about, even in my diversionary historical fiction. These things include Offhand Racist Remarks, Marital Rape Is Fine, Womanhood = Motherhood And Nothing Else, Abortions Are Evil, and The Patriarchy, Generally.
Also, the book had less than I remembered about the tea trade. That was a little disappointing because those were some of the most interesting parts.
So, read this book if you like Purple Prose, "Bad Boy" Male Leads, and People Not Communicating Well Or At All, Really.
If you're looking for something historical to consume that deals much more thoughtfully with social difference, check out the BBC miniseries "North and South" with Richard Armitage. (Tried the novel, didn't love that. This is the one time you'll hear me say that the movie was better than the book.) It poses some thoughtful questions about the nature of charity, industrialization and its discontents, and the toll that trade extracts from its winners as well as its losers.
January 22, 2020
I loooooooved this book !!
All about it is amazing! The writing, the story, the characters, the historical background EVERYTHING!!
I sincerely recommend it, it is splendid!
I think it has become one of my favorite books, probably my second one.
In my opinion, the worst and the best thing about it is that it is so realistic it can be the kind of story that happened in that period and that's probably what I preferred!
All about it is amazing! The writing, the story, the characters, the historical background EVERYTHING!!
I sincerely recommend it, it is splendid!
I think it has become one of my favorite books, probably my second one.
In my opinion, the worst and the best thing about it is that it is so realistic it can be the kind of story that happened in that period and that's probably what I preferred!
March 25, 2022
Nahezu 30 Jahre nach der Erstausgabe habe ich heute dieses Buch beendet. Und mein Fazit ist überwiegend positiv! Zum einen ist das Buch tatsächlich zeitlos da es in der Kolonialzeit Indiens spielt. Zum anderen hat es mich - nach dem ich anfänglich etwas Schwierigkeiten hatte in den Roman reinzukommen - doch mehr gefesselt als ich gedacht habe. Diese vielen, unvorhersehbaren Wendungen und Schicksalsschläge haben mich immer weiterlesen lassen. Es wird nicht mein Lieblingsbuch werden aber ich hab es gerne gelesen!
April 8, 2022
Wer Liebe verspricht - Rebecca Ryman
Übersetzt von
Bewertung ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unser März Buch für den Buchclub Frauenstamm liest war für uns drei ein reread. Für mich waren es locker 25 Jahre später... 🙈😂 Wir hatten vor, im März eine Liebesgeschichte zu lesen und Dragana und ich waren auch fest davon überzeugt, dass "Wer Liebe verspricht" die perfekte Wahl war, aber was soll ich sagen, es war alles andere als eine Liebesgeschichte. 🙈😂
Mir hat unfassbar gut das Setting und Geschichtliche gefallen. Die Charakterentwicklungen haben mich in einen regelrechten Gefühlschaos geschmissen. Was ich damit meine? Nun, hab ich gerade einen Charakter sehr gemocht, wurde er mir im nächsten Abschnitt mehr als unsympathisch. Olivias Entwicklung war auch äußerst gewöhnungsbedürftig. Sie wurde zwar immer stärker, hat sich ihren Weg in der Männerdomäne zur damaligen Zeit erkämpft, doch auf Kosten ihrer Lieblichkeit.
Der Schreibstil hat mich komplett eingenommen und auch wenn ich es nicht mehr zu 100% feiere wie damals, hat es mir doch gut gefallen.
Übersetzt von
Bewertung ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unser März Buch für den Buchclub Frauenstamm liest war für uns drei ein reread. Für mich waren es locker 25 Jahre später... 🙈😂 Wir hatten vor, im März eine Liebesgeschichte zu lesen und Dragana und ich waren auch fest davon überzeugt, dass "Wer Liebe verspricht" die perfekte Wahl war, aber was soll ich sagen, es war alles andere als eine Liebesgeschichte. 🙈😂
Mir hat unfassbar gut das Setting und Geschichtliche gefallen. Die Charakterentwicklungen haben mich in einen regelrechten Gefühlschaos geschmissen. Was ich damit meine? Nun, hab ich gerade einen Charakter sehr gemocht, wurde er mir im nächsten Abschnitt mehr als unsympathisch. Olivias Entwicklung war auch äußerst gewöhnungsbedürftig. Sie wurde zwar immer stärker, hat sich ihren Weg in der Männerdomäne zur damaligen Zeit erkämpft, doch auf Kosten ihrer Lieblichkeit.
Der Schreibstil hat mich komplett eingenommen und auch wenn ich es nicht mehr zu 100% feiere wie damals, hat es mir doch gut gefallen.
June 4, 2016
After I read the synopsis, I had high hopes for the book. It is, of course, set in colonial India. And as an Indian, I wanted the book to do justice to it.
And my, oh my, it did!
Olivia And Jai was twisted, dark, and I must say, I really enjoyed some bits. But then again, there were many bits I absolutely hated.
I will first start off by talking about the stuff I liked:
* The setting, as I had mentioned earlier, was close to perfection. Ryman had portrayed Colonial India beautifully and did a wonderful job with the characters too.
* I loved some traits of Olivia.. In a way, I felt like Ryman had done some justice to her character. She is strong, kinda independent (in the second half of the book), bold and had a good head on her shoulders. She doesn't wallow in self-pity and shakes off her mistakes and flaws. Amazing.
* I liked how even though Jai was this brooding, screwed-up, arrogant bad guy and fell in love with Olivia, he didn't magically get refined into a perfect guy. It was a refreshing change from the usual bad-guy-good-girl romance
* The characters just... Came alive. Ryman's character development is just impeccable.
* Her writing.. Well, frankly, I was in heaven. Perfection.
I'm going to talk about the things I hated now. This is going to be more of a rant, actually.
* In the first half, Olivia literally has no brains. She seems just like one of those light-headed, perfect, good heroines at the beginning. It was really irritating.
* The book was just too long. I mean, for what the plot was worth, the book dragged on and on and on. It almost ended in my DNF list.
* This scene, haha. Oh my God. This one really cracked me up.
Haha. This is probably one of the most fucked up characters I've ever come across.
Yup. So, if you're in a relationship and your partner hasn't strangled the shit out of you yet, well, you're in trouble. 'Cause they don't love you!
It's funny.. The kind of stuff I'm coming across recently.
* A lot of main characters just started disappearing real fast in the second half of the book and were not heard of after that. It was like.. BAM! And they're out of the book. The book ends before their chapters are completed. That sucked big time for me.
Overall, the book wasn't bad. I guess I liked it.
Review also posted at:
www.shameekalovesreading.wordpress.com
And my, oh my, it did!
Olivia And Jai was twisted, dark, and I must say, I really enjoyed some bits. But then again, there were many bits I absolutely hated.
I will first start off by talking about the stuff I liked:
* The setting, as I had mentioned earlier, was close to perfection. Ryman had portrayed Colonial India beautifully and did a wonderful job with the characters too.
* I loved some traits of Olivia.. In a way, I felt like Ryman had done some justice to her character. She is strong, kinda independent (in the second half of the book), bold and had a good head on her shoulders. She doesn't wallow in self-pity and shakes off her mistakes and flaws. Amazing.
* I liked how even though Jai was this brooding, screwed-up, arrogant bad guy and fell in love with Olivia, he didn't magically get refined into a perfect guy. It was a refreshing change from the usual bad-guy-good-girl romance
* The characters just... Came alive. Ryman's character development is just impeccable.
* Her writing.. Well, frankly, I was in heaven. Perfection.
I'm going to talk about the things I hated now. This is going to be more of a rant, actually.
* In the first half, Olivia literally has no brains. She seems just like one of those light-headed, perfect, good heroines at the beginning. It was really irritating.
* The book was just too long. I mean, for what the plot was worth, the book dragged on and on and on. It almost ended in my DNF list.
* This scene, haha. Oh my God. This one really cracked me up.
"If you do not wish to use my evidence, I accept that. If you do not wish to see me or speak to me again, I accept that too, however wounding. What I will not accept, Jai, is the devaluation, the denial, of your feelings for me. You lie to hide your own delusions, not mine. You fabricate a hate that does not exist. You do love me, Jai..." A split second of anguish came and went. "As sure as the wind blows and I breathe, you love me, and before the sun rises tomorrow I will make you eat your words, Jai, every damned, lying one of them, I promise you that!"
"Get out!" His voice, tight in his throat, was strangled.
"I will, but not before you admit you have lied!"
The final thread of his control snapped. With a snarl he sprang at her and two enormous, powerful hands circled her neck. Distorted into a mask of virulence, his features turned maniacal, barely human. Thumbs pressed against her windpipe, he shook her with the fury of a mastiff gripping a rat between its teeth, all reason gone. Olivia battled to breathe, gasping for air but neither struggling nor feeling the faintest twinge of fear.
Haha. This is probably one of the most fucked up characters I've ever come across.
Yup. So, if you're in a relationship and your partner hasn't strangled the shit out of you yet, well, you're in trouble. 'Cause they don't love you!
It's funny.. The kind of stuff I'm coming across recently.
* A lot of main characters just started disappearing real fast in the second half of the book and were not heard of after that. It was like.. BAM! And they're out of the book. The book ends before their chapters are completed. That sucked big time for me.
Overall, the book wasn't bad. I guess I liked it.
Review also posted at:
www.shameekalovesreading.wordpress.com
October 19, 2016
When I finished reading this book I felt like I was leaving people that I knew behind- I was going to miss them and I did.
Set in India in the 19th century- this was a really well written book - I enjoyed reading about the history and business and cultural differences. It was all accurate and consuming. Surprisingly all the business talk Olivia did with her uncle was interesting and set the background of what was to come later in the book.
Amidst all the business and cultural conflict Olivia and Jai meet - star crossed lovers - what was to become of their relationship.
Even though this was a strong book I had issues with the romance- in the first half of the book Olivia was so annoying- forgiving Jai everything and throwing herself at him. I can't help but feel that had she shown a bit of annoyance and anger towards Jai's behavior things would have been different.
Jai is such a complicated character- so much anger and bitterness- it was not easy to get through to him.
The second half of the book changes atmosphere with Olivia stronger and determined and getting things done.
I might not agree with her choices but we do see the result of wrong decisions and how they affect lives.
The ending was to me unsatisfactory - I wanted an epilogue - but I will have to make do with book two.
Set in India in the 19th century- this was a really well written book - I enjoyed reading about the history and business and cultural differences. It was all accurate and consuming. Surprisingly all the business talk Olivia did with her uncle was interesting and set the background of what was to come later in the book.
Amidst all the business and cultural conflict Olivia and Jai meet - star crossed lovers - what was to become of their relationship.
Even though this was a strong book I had issues with the romance- in the first half of the book Olivia was so annoying- forgiving Jai everything and throwing herself at him. I can't help but feel that had she shown a bit of annoyance and anger towards Jai's behavior things would have been different.
Jai is such a complicated character- so much anger and bitterness- it was not easy to get through to him.
The second half of the book changes atmosphere with Olivia stronger and determined and getting things done.
I might not agree with her choices but we do see the result of wrong decisions and how they affect lives.
The ending was to me unsatisfactory - I wanted an epilogue - but I will have to make do with book two.
September 13, 2012
This book was just delightful. The setting is just breathtaking and made me wish I could go back in time to India in the 1850s. Olivia is an American visiting her British aunt in India. While at a party, she steps outside, tired of the insipid revelers and she meets Jai Raventhorne, a man with a HUGE chip in his shoulder, and it is the beginning of the end for pretty much her entire family. Of course, the title makes it pretty clear that these two characters are going to fall besottedly in love with each other. But only in a book like this do they get to ride an elephant while hunting a man-eating Bengal tiger. The characters are all well developed and the dialogue between Olivia and Jai is pretty satisfying. This book went it several directions that I did not expect and as such, many of my household chores were woefully neglected because I could not unglue my eyes from this book. I am very excited to have to have the sequel and will now begin reading it. You might like this book if you've read and enjoyed Gone with the Wind or A Woman of Substance...and vice versa. The only complaint I can make about this book is that the ending, while nice, seemed rather abrupt. Other than that, though, this was fantastic. Happy reading.
November 5, 2017
About a third of the way through the book, Olivia is reading "Wuthering Heights", and I found this hilarious because this book tries to set itself up as a Colonial Indian "Wuthering Heights". It features a couple who aren't especially likable individuals, whose tumble into 'desperate passion' is not particularly plausible, and who spend most of the book treating each other terribly and suffering the consequences. (Can you tell I'm not a fan of WH?) And yet... I didn't truly dislike this book. I have no compunctions about dropping a book I dislike, and yet I finished this. I wanted to know what was driving these characters to behave like they did, and how they'd get out of it. I liked the setting and the glimpses into the British society in India. I'm not sure I'd recommend this book, but I don't regret it either.
June 3, 2021
I don't really get it. I'm not typically a fan of romance-heavy novels, but I do enjoy a good historical fiction. I feel like this book was way longer than it needed to be. And yet... something about it kept me reading. Maybe I'm a fan of plucky heroines who make their own way in restrictive societies and like watching them get their own, Count of Monte Cristo style like the one in books like Forever Amber, also romance based. Or maybe I just like reading about the world of India and the British. Sea of Poppies by good for that. Whatever the confusing reason, here we are at the end.
August 2, 2019
This novel was a fascinating but painful love story, it unfolded among betrayals and heartache ... Jai and Olivia were doomed from the start but the readers cannot help but hope they can overcome everything and find solace in each other !! The author crafted a multi-layered, emotional romance worth investing in. I would call the book an oldie but goodie kind, since it was written in the 80's.
This dramatic compelling plot grabs our attention and tugs at our heartstrings !! Read it :) Cheers
This dramatic compelling plot grabs our attention and tugs at our heartstrings !! Read it :) Cheers
November 5, 2009
My lone concession to the romantic bodice-ripper. I must have read this novel at least ten times, in fragments. You know...the juicy bits.
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