THE TWENTIETH WIFE

In 1601 Prince Salim rebelled against his father, the Mughal emperor of India, and by 1605 became Emperor Jahangir himself. With 300 concubines and 19 wives, why did Salim choose 34-year-old Mehrunnisa, a Persian refugee born in abject poverty who defied traditional feminine roles, to be number 20—and his empress? Sundaresan thinks it was love and regales us with a wonderfully plausible story shimmering with saffron and splendor. Sneha Mathan’s rich voice, with its depth and variety of accents, tinged with a hint of British India, sweeps us into this exotic world. She portrays a Mehrunnisa who is sweet yet capable of being devious when necessary. The sequel is out, but not yet in audio. What a treat if Mathan were to read it. P.E.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]