It was suggested to me that I should devote a section of this page to books that fans of M. M. Kaye have read and enjoyed, and would highly recommend to other fans. You can e-mail your suggestions to me at sarah.olmsted@gmail.com and be sure to include the title of the book, author, and a summary or why you liked it. I look forward to hearing your suggestions!
*NEW* The first is Caravans, by James A. Michener. Copy written in 1963, it is still a well written story of an American, Mark Miller, who works in the US Embassy in Kabul Afghanistan during the 1940’s or 50’s. He is assigned to find a wayward young American lady and his search and adventures are very entertaining. A lot of insight into that country and it’s people are interwoven in that tale of adventure and romance.
The next book I Highly recommend is Trinity, by Leon Uris. There is a follow up to that novel named Redemption. It is the story of mostly of two young Catholic Irishmen in the early part of 20’th century and the struggle of Ireland for independence. It is a beautifully written book with characters that endear themselves quickly to your heart and the ending is tragic and heartbreaking. If this book doesn’t make you cry then you probably didn’t cry when Travis had to shoot Ole’ Yeller. Read This Book!
Thirdly, I recommend a book by Noel Barber called Sakkara. It is a story with many parallels to the far pavilions yet completely different. The story takes place in Egypt beginning in the early 20’Th century until WWII. It is a story of a forbidden romance between a young Englishman raised in Egypt who falls in love with an unobtainable girl and the many events that occur that thrust them together while history unwinds and intertwines in the story. A very enjoyable read if you enjoyed The Far Pavilions. - Glen Ackermann
"No other author that I have read has the same ability to tell the emotions of a character like she does. I found one book that is centered around the same time period called Shalimar. The author is Ryman. The writing style is very different- more straightforward. Anyhow, this is one book I had to read twice before I liked it. It centers around a woman whose father was killed on an expedition. Unknown to her, her father's belongings are of worldly interest. She gets married as she thinks to cover her brother's debt but is later surprised when her husband married her for other reasons. So this is one suggestion I have. It is very hard for me to like a book about India after reading MM Kaye's books. Another book that I absolutely love is The Glass Lake by Binchy. It take place during the 1950s in Ireland and it centers around the life of a girl whose mother left her family. This is a coming of age story that is absolutely wonderful." -Khaula
"The Far Pavillions is probably my favorite fiction book. I also enjoyed very much reading "Destiny" by Sally Beauman. It is a powerful love story with excellent charaterizations. I heartily recommend it." -AnjuliBai1
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a real jewel. It reminds me very much of M. M. Kaye's fabulous book, The Ordinary Princess. Ella of Frell was given a terrible gift by a well meaning, but dangerously stupid fairy: the gift of obedience. She had to obey any order given to her. Her mother and her fairy godmother tried to protect Ella by keeping this gift a secret. Despite the curse Ella is strong willed and courageous. She wants to break the curse, and fights it's effects whenever she can.
When Ella's mother dies, her father re-marries and suddenly Ella's life becomes an unbearable drudgery. Only Mandy, her godmother, the friendship of Prince Charmont, and the hope that one day she will be free of her curse, gives Ella hope.
This story is full of adventure, humour, and romance. Adults and kids alike would enjoy it. It has won many awards, including a Newberry Honour Medal. - Jane...there was a book that I also read many years ago called "Zemindar" which was slightly similar though I don't remember the author. It was also a love story about an English girl who fell in love with an Englishman who had an estate in India before the uprising and the girl's living in Lucknow during the siege.
There was another great historical book that I read yrs ago which was called "The Tenth Measure" by Brenda Lesley Segal about a girl living in Jerusalem and on the Masada which took place several years after the death of Christ. It has everything that "SOTM" has with a wonderful love story but an altogether different type of ending. A sad one, unhappily. - Patty from Swartz Creek, Michigan
The Eight" by Katherine Neville A great "paranormal" sort of plot involving a chess set said to have once been owned by Charlemagne. It was hidden in 18th century France by nuns to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, but you don't find out why everyone wants to keep it hidden until the very end! The story flips back and forth from 1972 (I think that's the right year) and France right before the French Revolution...In the present day period, the story's "heroine" is asked to try to locate part of this chess set for a client. In the 1700's part of the story, you get the history of the chess set and find out that the nuns are willing to do practically anything to keep this set from being found. Apparently other people are aware that there is something very valuable about this chess set since many people are after it too. The story takes our girl to Algeria and similar parts of the world looking for the set, and of course, she gets in to all kinds of scrapes trying to keep herself, and a friend she brings along, alive! The ending is, well, well worth the wait....is all I can say. It will keep you turning pages well into the "wee" hours! - Teresa
"The Mummy" by Anne Rice. She writes of the mummy "Ramses" the great. Only this Ramses has been buried alive and in order to live again, must be esposed to the rays of the sun. Well, our heroine, is a curator of sorts of a museum, and of course, loves ancient Egypt. The sarcophagas of Ramses has been brought to the museum, and our girl somehow "revives" him. He is, of course, tall, dark, handsome...and oh yeah, did I mention.....IMMORTAL! Wouldn't you fall in love???? The plot takes some very interesting turns, one involving another famous Egyptian! Can't tell you any more! - Teresa
"The Clan of the Cave Bear" by Jean Auel. This first book of hers in this series was, I think her best. She gives a good background of what life must have been like in the time of the neanderthal. If you don't know the story, it's about a little girl named Ayla. She is different fm the neanderthals. She is found after an earthquake by the medicine woman of the neanderthal tribe and is taken in. She is what they call one of the "others" meaning she looks like what we called "cro-magnon" or homosapien. They think she's ugly! The book was so much better than the movie they made from it...of course they usually are don't you think??? The story tells of how Ayla tries to fit in and survive in what must have been a brutal society. but Ayla has the medicine woman, whom she adopts as her foster mother, and the Mogur, the powerful 'holy man' of the tribe who come to love Ayla and try to teach Ayla the ways of the Clan. - Teresa
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