Over the years, your support has made Women’s Web the leading resource for women in India. Now, it is our turn to ask, how can we make this even more useful for you? Please take our short 5 minute questionnaire – your feedback is important to us!
Interview with author Sudha Shah on her new book The King In Exile.
Sudha Shah is a Mumbai-based writer who, after years of extensive research has written The King In Exile. Although Burma is our neighbouring country, very little is known about the history and the last ruler of Burma. The King In Exile promises to be an engrossing read on the fall of Burma’s royal family.
What made you write a book on Burma’s royal family? How did your interest in this subject come about?
I loved Amitav Ghosh’s The Glass Palace in which he wrote about the royal family of Burma. After reading the book, I was very curious about the family. How did this once all-powerful and very wealthy family cope with their loss and exile to remote Ratnagiri in India? Once the exile ended, what happened to the four princesses who had had almost no education or exposure while growing up?
I initially started researching the subject to satisfy my own curiosity, but soon discovered that, other than the occasional newspaper and magazine article, hardly anything had been written about the family after their kingdom had been lost to the British in 1885. This was a book begging to be written!
What was the hardest thing about writing The King In Exile?
I wanted to write my book as a human-interest story, not as a historical record of events. I was keen to have a strong story line, so that the reader would be curious to know what happened next. The most challenging aspect of writing this book, therefore, was trying to craft a compelling story out of the reams of material accessed by me—archival material, personal interviews, books, newspaper and magazine accounts etc.
The King In Exile has many important female characters; how well were you able to relate to them? If you were a man, would you have written the book with a different perspective?
I tried to step into each of their shoes — including King Thibaw’s. I tried to see things from their point of view. I related better to some of the characters than to others, but I empathized with all of them. I really don’t know if I would have written the book from a different perspective had I been a man, but I don’t think so because I don’t see my point of view in the book as being particularly ‘female’.
Who was the first to read The King In Exile? What was their first reaction?
My husband, Pradip and son, Karan. They found my manuscript interesting and were positive in their feedback. But they’re family, and perhaps they found it hard to be objective!
One book you would love to have written?
Since you ask for only one book, I’ll go with To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. Why this book? Because it’s a book that is beautifully written and tells a timeless, thought-provoking story. It’s a book that influenced me as a teenager, and captivates me as an adult.
Future literary plans?
I want to write another book — I’m following a couple of leads, but it’s too premature to discuss them as yet.
*Photo credit: Sudha Shah.
Now dear readers, a book giveaway for you!
Answer this question: Which royal or famous family in the world fascinates you the most? Why?
Just leave your answer as a comment below – and the best comment will get a signed copy of The King In Exile!
Please note: Only 1 comment per person. The book can only be sent to a valid address in India. Giveaway closes on 9 AM IST 29th Oct 2012.
So what are you waiting for? Comment away!
Update: Giveaway Closed.
And the winner is Nidhi Chandna! Congrats!
Previous Interviews in Author’s Corner:
Ayesha Salman of Blue Dust
Shefalee Vasudev of Powder Room
Tuhina Varshney of I’m Not Afraid Of GDPI
Yashodhara Lal of Just Married, Please Excuse
Rashmi Bansal of Poor Little Rich Slum
Meghna Pant of One & A Half Wife
Eowyn Ivey of The Snow Child
Shakti Salgaokar of Imperfect Mr.Right
Himani Vashishta of Princess of Falcons
Lata Gwalani of Incognito
Nina Godiwalla of Suits
Urvashi Gulia of My Way Is The Highway
Kiran Manral of The Reluctant Detective
Ameera Al Hakawati of Desperate In Dubai
Judy Balan of Two Fates
Women's Web is a vibrant community for Indian women, an authentic space for us to be ourselves and talk about all things that matter to us. Follow us via the read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
He said that he needed sometime to himself. I waited for him as any other woman would have done, and I gave him his space, I didn't want to be the clingy one.
Trigger Warning: This deals with mental trauma and depression, and may be triggering for survivors.
I am someone who believes in honesty and trust, I trust people easily and I think most of the times this habit of mine turns into bane.
This is a story of how a matrimonial website service turned into a nightmare for me, already traumatized by the two relationships I’ve had. It’s a story for every woman who lives her life on the principles of honesty and trust.
This can have a drastic effect on other victims of domestic violence. It will also encourage the abuser that they can now threaten their victim that he/she may end up like Amber Heard on the internet.
The lives of actors, be they from Hollywood or Bollywood, trouble my peace. Though they are worshipped by their fans, the real-life of many is quite troubled. It is scary to see what money and fame can do to a person. These are the people who have made me realize that fame and money are not that important.
I usually try to avoid reading about actors and their lives but there is no escape when the internet gets flooded with news and you come across it again and again as it happened with Aryan Khan’s arrest, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, or now Amber Heard v/s Johnny Depp case.
We clearly see the pattern of uncivilized society in the above-mentioned cases where the mass verdict is passed even before the jury or judge passes the sentence. Usually, there is no middle ground for these people who are just there to make a topic trending on the internet. One is black and the other is white, there are no shades of grey for these modern-day witch hunters.