Also found her surprisingly agreeable to just about anything and that didn't fit in with the character we were first introduced to. Thought told from Emma's POV, she really doesn't have much emotion. Well told, but seriously lacking emotional depth. She's also very busy playing go-between as the English don't believe Manu is fit to rule and attempt to control her in every way they can. (hell, yea)Įmma discovers that despite the fact she loves Manu, hates what the British has done, has an Indian husband, is now wearing saris, and has a half Indian child, she somewhat ponders going back to England. 'I will throw their heads at my own feet,' Manu declared. 'I will throw their heads at your feet,' Risaldar promised. Manu, the princess takes over and leads her men into battle. The big guy finally dies, no heir in sight except for an adopted child that the British refuse to acknowledge. And of course, the British rule with a condescending attitude. The prince is a homosexual, the princess thinks she is a warrior and threatens to place Emma naked on an anthill-something to that effect. And she 'goes native.' At first, things are rough. Presented with an opportunity to be a governess to an Indian princess, she takes it. Little does she know that that ten years will actually become a much longer period due to her own desires. She is not allowed back in England for ten years. Her only way out is to marry a missionary who is traveling to India. The story begins with Emma in England, caught for thieving and accused of murder. Told from the POV of an Englishwoman, widowed from her missionary husband, it tells of the British occupation of India and a strong woman who dared to rule, Manu. This is a historical fiction that educates the reader about Indian history.

Manu by Christopher Nicole