Although only half a story, this offering is entertaining and absorbing reading. The phlegmatic Dr. McNab reappears from "The Siege of Krishnapur", once again a stable disinterested presence in the face of stern opposition to a Puseyite irruption in the Anglican Diocese of Simla, among other developing dramas in the hill country. There's been solid research go into this novel, historical, medical and ecclesiastical.
Such a pity that we lost him to good novel writing.

This is an unfinished book (Farrell died before completing), but is a great read. It captures much of the life of colonial India. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. ( )

I really liked this piece of fiction from colonial India. It paints an intriguing picture of the life of the British officer in the 'hill stations' of India. It gives insights into colonial practices and the intentions behind them. Also thrown in is a bit of religion, the practice of proselytisation and the arrival of the memsahibs. ( )

This was the book J.G. Farrell was working on at the time of his death. Farrell revisits the India of The Siege of Krishnapur, and there is a connection between the two books in the character of the doctor, McNab. McNab arrives at the hill station in Kalka with his wife and niece.

Unlike in his Empire Trilogy, there is no young man entering a bewildering new world, both geographically and romantically, here it is Emily, fresh from England. The issue of class is here, especially when Emily realises her social standing could have been compromised by her friendship with Mrs. Forester, a lady who is being snubbed because of scandal.
Another new theme is that of religion, here the battle between a stricter Protestant church and one that has chosen to follow older ceremonies has caused the former to accuse the latter of moving towards Rome. The ridiculousness of the situation is shown well here.

The second part of the book is made of three contributions, the first of which looks at the notes that the author left which give us an idea as to how the novel would have progressed, and the author's own diary of his time in India. ( )