The ebook happens within this several independent, yet thematically similar, timelines. From the 1920s, for the British Raj, Olivia moves to Asia together with her husband and easily feels stifled of the rigorous United kingdom area which is managed regarding colonies. In the modern big date, the fresh 70s, an enthusiastic unnamed narrator journeys back again to Asia to learn more regarding the Olivia, their grandfather’s basic wife.

The narrator goes into the hands of characters printed in new 1920s anywhere between Olivia and her sibling Marcia. Olivia is their unique daddy Douglas’s first spouse in advance of the guy partnered Tessie, new narrator’s grandma. Douglas has died, and you can Henry, a vintage friend out of their days inside the colonial Asia, has brought the newest characters for the family. New characters show that Olivia transferred to Asia which have Douglas but after eloped towards the Nawab, your regional prince. Captivated by Olivia’s tale and eager to determine how it happened to their, this new narrator decides to happen to be Asia to follow in her own footsteps.

The latest narrator minds so you’re able to Satipur, in which Olivia got resided

Brand new narrator comes inside the Bombay, looking for India far changed from the descriptions into the Olivia’s emails. If you’re being at an excellent hostel, a lady who may have lived-in the nation to have thirty years talks to the new narrator Vietnamesisk kvinnor som letar efter kärlek on the India’s “problem,” directing towards the poverty she will be able to select in the pub of brand new screen. Olivia’s dated house is an authorities strengthening, making it a dead prevent.

An exciting change is available in the type of an invite so you’re able to dine at Nawab’s palace

She sublets an area out of a federal government certified Inder Lal, whom life together with spouse, Ritu, and his awesome mommy. Inder Lal offers to show their own the fresh Nawab’s castle; it travelling because of the shuttle in order to Khatm to see they. The building, now uninhabited and you can decaying, does not impress the brand new narrator and you will, once again, she finds out little from the Olivia’s future.

The latest narration after that switches to help you Olivia’s angle. She’s got already been staying in Stiput for some days and is already annoyed just like the she’s got absolutely nothing to create however, sit in the home. In this event, she suits Harry, a close friend of your Nawab’s, as well as thread more its dislike of Uk officials and you may the discussion. However, the woman is interested in the new pomp and grandeur of one’s castle and you will keen on this new Nawab himself, just who appears finding their.

New Nawab check outs Olivia in the her family, plus additional anyone, plus Harry. It purchase a sensational date along with her, and she is thrilled to go back to see your. Next time they receive an invite into castle, Douglas refuses while the one of his family members was not desired.

Olivia, continuing feeling miserable, is actually saddened from the death of the little one of a single off british family members, the fresh new Saunders. An other woman she knows, Mrs. Crawford, takes Olivia to check out an Indian noblewoman during the palace. Throughout the a discussion into the feminine, Olivia requires in regards to the Nawab and you can discovers he is hitched so you can an emotionally sick woman called Sandy. The fresh Nawab visits Olivia at her household, saddened from the their refusal out of his invitation and welcoming their particular so you can good picnic close a city fertility shrine, the newest Baba Firdau. She goes, and inside the go to, they still grow better.

At the same time, the latest narrator settles towards their unique existence inside the India. She expands a regular regime, attire from inside the saris, and you may finds out adequate Hindi to help you converse. She increases a friendship having Inder Lal and discovers significantly more on his existence. Their matrimony to help you Ritu is arranged; the guy appears to find their own basic simple.