The Raj Quartet, Volume 2 - (Phoenix Fiction) by Paul Scott (Paperback)

About the Book

As the flames of independence continue to threaten the Raj, leaders of the Indian Congress are rounded up and put into British prisons. Meanwhile, Mable Layton and her daughters are stranded in their colonial mansion awaiting the return of Colonel Layton from the war.

Book Synopsis

In The Day of the Scorpion, Scott draws us deeper in to his epic of India at the close of World War II. With force and subtlety, he recreates both private ambition and perversity, and the politics of an entire subcontinent at a turning point in history.

As the scorpian, encircled by a ring of fire, will sting itself to death, so does the British raj hasten its own destruction when threatened by the flames of Indian independence. Brutal repression and imprisonment of India's leaders cannot still the cry for home rule. And in the midst of chaos, the English Laytons withdraw from a world they no longer know to seek solace in denial, drink, and madness.

Review Quotes

One of Stephen King's 10 favorite books!-- "Goodreads"

"One has to admire Mr. Scott's gifts as a buttonholing storyteller, and his rich, close-textured prose; his descriptions of action and of certain kinds of relationships are superb."-- "Guardian"

"Paul Scott's vision is both precise and painterly. Like an engraver crosshatching I the illusion of fullness, he selects nuances that will make his characters take on depth and poignancy."--Jean G. Zorn "New York Times Book Review"

"What has always astonished me about The Raj Quartet is its sense of sophisticated and total control of its gigantic scenario and highly varied characters. The four volumes constitute perfectly interlocking movement of a grand overall design. The politics are handled with an expertise that intrigues and never bores, and are always seen in terms of individuals."--Peter Green "New Republic"

About the Author

Paul Scott (1920-78), born in London, held a commission in the Indian army during World War II. His many novels include Johnnie Sabib, The Chinese Love Pavilion, and Staying On.