Rich Like Us

Rich Like Us chronicles events in New Delhi from 1932 to the mid-1970s through the intersecting stories of Rose, a British woman married to an Indian businessman, and Sonali, an Indian civil servant. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of India's Emergency period, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties and imposed authoritarian rule. The novel tracks Rose's navigation of Indian customs and social hierarchies as the second wife in a complex marriage arrangement. Sonali faces her own challenges in the civil service, confronting corruption and political pressure while maintaining her principles. The book examines the nature of power, wealth, and social inequality in post-colonial India through its dual protagonists. Its depiction of class divisions, gender roles, and political upheaval presents a complex portrait of a nation in transition.

Readers appreciate Sahgal's portrayal of India during the Emergency period through interweaving narratives of two women. Many reviews highlight the book's examination of class divisions, political corruption, and gender roles in Indian society. Readers liked: - Complex character development, particularly of Rose and Sonali - Historical details about the Emergency period - Commentary on social hierarchies and power structures - Writing style that balances political themes with personal stories Readers disliked: - Multiple timeline shifts that some found confusing - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some political references require background knowledge of Indian history Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) From reviews: "The parallel stories of Rose and Sonali provide different perspectives on India's transformation" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes time to get into but rewards patient readers" - Amazon reviewer "Some historical context would help non-Indian readers" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 The novel received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986, making Sahgal one of the first female Indian writers to win this honor. 🔸 Nayantara Sahgal is the niece of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, giving her unique insight into the political landscape she portrays in the book. 🔸 The book was published in 1985 during the aftermath of India's Emergency period (1975-77), and draws heavily on the author's experiences during this controversial time of suspended civil liberties. 🔸 Though set in New Delhi, the novel was largely written while Sahgal was living in London, providing her the distance to view Indian society through both insider and outsider perspectives. 🔸 The character of Rose was partially inspired by several real-life European women who married into prominent Indian families during the colonial period, including Countess Mountbatten of Burma.