Author of city of djinns

Indraprastha is the hindu name for the first, mythical delhi. The book opens with the arrival of dalrymple in delhi and slowly embarks on the journey of uncovering the history of delhi in a reverse chronological order. It said city of djinns is lovingly and passionately researched and is embellished with endearing encounters. Delhi is a city like no other, one which, in spite of being as old as time, is culturally dominated by relatively new dwellers. Watched over and protected by the mischievous, invisible djinns, delhi has, through their good offices, been saved from destruction many times over the centuries. With an extraordinary array of characters, from elusive eunuchs to the last remnants of the raj, dalrymples second book is a unique and dazzling feat of.

Jul 01, 2016 as mentioned earlier, dalrymple moved to delhi in 1989 and lived here for six years which resulted in his second book, city of djinns. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read city of djinns. Dec 04, 2016 city of djinns is a product of william dalrymples curiosity and the eagerness to know what made present day delhi the city it is. The city of djinns is one of the first books by william dalrymple which doesnt revolve around the history of india rather it represents various anecdotes of his. Author of city of djinns and the last mughal, william dalrymple talks about the culture and history of delhi and his own connect with it. City of djinns by william dalrymple nook book ebook. Released in 1993, it was the result of a yearlong stay in new delhi, and explores the centuries of history present in the city. Peeling back the layers of delhis centuriesold history, city of djinns is an irresistible blend of research and adventure. City of djinns is an entertaining mix of history and. From the author of the samuel johnson prizeshortlisted the return of a king, this is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city. From the author of the samuel johnson prize shortlisted the return of a king, this is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns.

Not only the history but he is having a very good name for his art history an for being a very good curator as well. In this book the author peels back the successive encrusting layers of delhis history, using both the material and the human remains of each period as a touchstone with the present. Mar 06, 2016 the author truly manages to bring out the india lives in many centuries adage in his own words a portrait of a city disjointed in time, a city whose different ages lay suspended side by side as in aspic, a city of djinns. Nov 25, 2009 how the author was told by a sufi saint that delhi is a city of djinns. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Oct 28, 2017 city of djinns a year in delhi is a one of a kind narrative. William dalrymple is the author of seven previous works of history and travel. William dalrymple was born in scotland and brought up on the shores of the firth of forth.

A year in delhi, on librarything librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers home groups talk zeitgeist. City of djinns is an entertaining mix of history and diary informed by a deep curiosity about the ways in which the ghosts of even the most distant past still walk in the twentieth century. Published march 25th 2003 by penguin books first published 1993. This book really describes the city, its magical and interesting nature both past and present. A book that slowly cradles you into the deep recesses of your mind. He wrote the highly acclaimed bestseller in xanadu. He is married to the artist olivia fraser, and they have three children. It is his second book, and culminated as a result of his sixyear stay in new delhi the city of djinns is one of the first books by william dalrymple which doesnt revolve around the history of india rather it represents various anecdotes of his time in india and explores.

The plot was complex and intricate as well since it included a lot of djinn politics and other surprising things i cant tell you about because spoilers. From the author of the samuel johnson prizeshortlisted the return of a king, this is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns. How the author was told by a sufi saint that delhi is a city of djinns. In 1989 dalrymple moved to delhi where he lived for six years researching his second book, city of djinns, which won the 1994 thomas cook travel book award and the sunday times young british writer of the year award. I feel this book is a must read in order to know what our history looks like and what makes delhi the city it is right now.

As mentioned earlier, dalrymple moved to delhi in 1989 and lived here for six years which resulted in his second book, city of djinns. Ive just completed writing a new introduction to the city of djinns, a book that i had written 25 years ago. It is his second book, and culminated as a result of his sixyear stay in new delhi. Delhi has changed a lot but open your eyes and it will still enchant you, claims the author of city of djinns india delhi has changed a lot but open your eyes and it will still enchant you, claims the author of city of djinns william dalrymple. It was my third dalrymple after nine lives and white mughals and i was naturally excited about what this book had to offer to the reader. It was then a city of a million people and now with the additions of okhla, noida and their ilk, it stands at 6 million or so. The book won the 1990 yorkshire post best first work award and a scottish arts council spring book award. Delhi is lucky to have william dalrymple as a chronicler not many cities get such exemplary treatment. The author truly manages to bring out the india lives in many centuries adage in his own words a portrait of a city disjointed in time, a city whose different ages lay suspended side by side as in aspic, a city of djinns. Scotlandborn william dalrymple, author of the famous city of djinns. Interspersed with accounts of meeting assorted delhiwallahs including sufis, eunuchs, persian scholars and an englishwoman who stays behind after the rajs hasty exit, city of djinns seeks out the essence of this ancient town in a travelogue like no other.

With refreshingly openminded curiosity, william dalrymple explores the seven dead cities of delhi as well as the eighth citytodays delhi. He wrote the highly acclaimed bestseller in xanadu when he was twentytwo. There are beautiful watercolour illustrations throughout that were painted by the authors wife and which are reproduced in black and white. I have to admit, having read a few travel essay books on india that the image i had of the city was of a fairly uninteresting place, a city of gray bureaucracy as the author put it.

City of djinns a year in delhi by william dalrymple anu. City of djinns by william dalrymple fantastic fiction. The author even included different types of djinns ifrit, marid, ghul. Part memoir and part travelogue, it paints an engaging and informative portrait of this ageold city. The book is a travelogue but it has been written more like a novel. William dalrymple is a writer of popular travel works some of which are based on historical fact. As the author of the best travel book of recent years at the intensely irritating age of twentytwo, william dalrymple has now shown that in xanadu was no fluke. He divides his time among london, delhi, and edinburgh. With each of the six cities of delhi being revealed in respective chapters, the climax, the final chapter, tells of the mythical first city, whose. This is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns. They now divide their time between london and delhi. City of djinns william dalrymple ebook harpercollins publishers.

And heres the kicker its author, mr william dalrymple, lives right here in our own backyard. From the author of the samuel johnson prize shortlisted the return of a king, this is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city. Winner of the 1994 thomas cook travel book award and sunday times young british writer of the year dalrymple is probably the best travel writer of his generationdaily mail as the author of the best travel book of recent years at the intensely irritating age of twentytwo, william dalrymple has now shown that in xanadu was no fluke. Download peeling back the layers of delhis centuriesold history, city of djinns is an irresistible blend of research and adventure.

May 23, 2011 the author is seldom critical, except when he talks about the neglect by the indian authorities of important archaeological sites or his harrowing experience at the customs. A year in delhi by william dalrymple is the author s second book. A year in delhi is a fascinating book by british author william dalrymple. Christopher lockwood, daily telegraph dalrymple has pulled it off again at a time when the book of travels is beginning to lose its fashionable allure. A year in delhi 1993 is a travelogue by william dalrymple about the historical capital of india, delhi. With refreshingly openminded curiosity, william dalrymple explores the seven dead cities of delhi as well as the eighth city todays. It need not be added then that any reader of city of djinns will view delhi is a completely new light. Sparkling with irrepressible wit, city of djinns peels back the lay. Interspersed with accounts of meeting assorted delhiwallahs including sufis, eunuchs, persian scholars and an englishwoman who stays behind after the rajs hasty exit, city of djinns seeks out the essence of this ancient town in a. Sparkling with irrepressible wit, city of djinns peels back the layers of delhis centuriesold history, revealing an extraordinary array of characters along the wayfrom eunuchs to descendants of great moguls.

At other times, he prefers letting his ironic narration do the talking. Lodging with the beadyeyed mrs puri and encountering an. For the book, part travelogue and memoir, the author spent nearly a year. To understand, rejoice and peel back the skin on delhis rich history.

India has always had a strange way with her conquerors. Saad z hossain author of djinn city and escape from baghdad. A year in delhi book online at best prices in india on. From the author of the samuel johnson prizeshortli. A year in delhi, lives at mira singh farm on the outskirts of delhi. With refreshingly openminded curiosity, william dalrymple explores the seven dead cities of delhi as well as the eighth citytoday.

A fascinating portrait of a city with an array of amazing characters. Nonfiction memoir for dalrymple, who has come to acquire the status of a formidable travel writer today, it was city of djinns that marked the beginning of his fascination with mughal history. The author also narrates the history of the delhi which was ruled by different kings. Apr 14, 2011 from the author of the samuel johnson prizeshortlisted the return of a king, this is william dalrymples captivating memoir of a year spent in delhi, a city watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns. Bevinda singh taxi driver from city of djinns 125 quotes from william dalrymple. At the outset, i must mention that i am big fan of the author s. Penguin books city of djinns william dalrymple is the author of several highly acclaimed books including in xanadu, the age of kali, sacred india, and from the holy mountain. The author researched the subject and wrote an excellent book about new delhi, the history of the city, the inhabitants of the city from inception to date, their culture, religions, beliefs and the role the english played in the history and development of india. Lodging with the beadyeyed mrs puri and encountering an extraordinary array of characters from elusive eunuchs to the last remnants of the raj william. The author spends a whole year in delhi in 1989 and researches for four more years. Peeling back the layers of delhis centuriesold history, city of djinns is an. William dalrymple is wellknown due to the history and the historical books. In defeat, she beckons them in, then slowly seduces, assimilates and transforms them.

A charming portrait of the ancient indian capital of delhi by a talented young british travel writer. Apr 14, 2011 city of djinns ebook written by william dalrymple. Dec 30, 2019 it said city of djinns is lovingly and passionately researched and is embellished with endearing encounters. An exquisite book and an engaging read since the beginning, it will ignite curiosity in you and make you appreciate our history, the history of delhi title. There are some djinns who the author visited who define delhi as it exists today. For the book, part travelogue and memoir, the author spent nearly a year in delhi unravelling the city s. Pdf city of djinns a year in delhi download ebook for free. His interests include asia, india, the middle east, the crusades, mughal rule as well as the world of islam and early eastern christianity. William dalrymple is the author of six previous acclaimed works of history and travel, including city of djinns, which won the young british writer of the year prize and the thomas cook travel book award. This is the first book by dalrymple that i got my hands on and im sure it wont be the last. It is interspersed with stories and anecdotes from the six years the author spent in delhi with his wife. Some djinns he dug and found out in the bylanes and ruins of this ageold city. On one level there are the amusing rites of passage, the struggles with bureaucracy, the eccentricity of author s landlord, all entertainingly related.

City of djinns is an entertaining mix of history and diary informed by a deep curiousity about the ways in which the ghosts of even the most distant past still walk in the twentieth century. Where mira singh farms city of djinns a year in delhi is a one of a kind narrative. It is a travelogue on the city of delhi where describes his firsthand account of his visit to historical places and his conversations with locals. But to me, the author has actually visited various djinns that define this city and its various eras.