The Twentieth Wife

Book cover of The Twentieth Wife

Book description

An enchanting seventeenth-century epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most legendary and controversial empresses -- a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal empire.
She came into the world…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Twentieth Wife as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Kaia Alexander

Author

Nur Jahan was one of the great queens of India, but I had never learned about her even in my studies at university.

I felt absolutely transported into her life, ambitions, and loves through this riveting novel that is so poetic you’ll want to read it in your bath with the door locked and a candle lit. This book feels like a window into the life of a woman you wish was your mother, your sister, your best friend.

It’s the first of the trilogy, and a magnificent journey into ancient India and the history of the Taj Mahal.

From Kaia's list on badass adventurous women seeking love and belonging.

Jessica Dall

Author

Going back for a reread of this one now, I know there are some issues (as far as the historical record goes) in this book, but I still find the descriptions of Mughal India stunning… and I’ve always had a weak spot for the beautiful, ambitious woman uses the power of social climbing to succeed in a “man’s world” sort of narratives. And The Twentieth Wife has definitely got that in spades.

From Jessica's list on historical fiction in lesser-known settings.