Shop Jurassic World Rebirth!
$8.99 with 53 percent savings
List Price: $18.95
$3.99 delivery Wednesday, July 9. Details
Or fastest delivery July 3 - 8. Details
In Stock
$$8.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$8.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
BookMarkIt
BookMarkIt
Ships from
BookMarkIt
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Valerie Fitzgerald
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Zemindar Paperback – August 8, 2023

by Valerie Fitzgerald (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,631 ratings
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$8.99","priceAmount":8.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"UALY95Xx%2B%2BhZs1AOpxNrgdsPR4%2BNKGdXKK%2F3DfOUu5GUikCrvJycM4ccrYEaimDqp3OugXKGiiL%2FgR1WlCDv9%2BPrkYFMhXOpd%2FrKAkbK4NxcQ660mb7mJla1MqwfsTolvUajZUkpZmKmtNV6%2FPJ2tE9xEKm328CoY1H7AeOYqJ4Ht0X%2BqIMuew%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

INDIA, 1850s.

Following a brief courtship, newlyweds Emily and Charles Flood embark upon an ambitious honeymoon in India. Accompanied by Emily's cousin, Laura, the trio hope to seek out Charles's enigmatic half-brother, Oliver Erskine – a hugely wealthy landowner and dedicated bachelor. Though the brothers are strangers, Charles hopes their blood ties could see him named as Oliver's heir.

Yet India balances on a knife-edge. As discontent at the Raj's rule tears through the country, the visitors become swept up in its bloody chaos.

International bestseller Zemindar is a historically rich, emotionally turbulent novel set during India's First War of Independence.

Praise for Zemindar:
'If you loved The Far Pavilions – and who didn't – this will be your dish too' Cosmopolitan
'Utterly addictive' Washington Post

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    832 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Apollo
  4. Publication date
    August 8, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.1 x 2 x 7.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1804542741
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1804542743
Next slide of product details
Books%20with%20Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you loved The Far Pavilions – and who didn't – this will be your dish too” ―Cosmopolitan

“Utterly addictive... Leaves us panting for the sequel” ―Washington Post

About the Author

Zemindar is drawn from personal experience. Valerie Fitzgerald's grandmother lived through the Indian Mutiny and when her soldier father was posted to Lucknow in WW2, she spent winters in the city and her summers on a zemindari estate.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Apollo
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 832 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1804542741
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1804542743
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 2 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,631 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Valerie Fitzgerald

Valerie Fitzgerald

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,631 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this historical novel to be a fascinating saga set in mid-19th century India, with well-developed characters and captivating descriptions of the land and people. The writing is easy to read, and customers appreciate its romantic elements and informative content. They praise the book's strength, with one review highlighting its compassionate portrayal of characters.

Select to learn more

Story lengthReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter developmentDescriptionRomanceStrengthInformation quality
44 customers mention "Story length"41 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the length of the story, describing it as a rich and nuanced tale that is both an addictive adventure and one of their favorite historical romances of all time.

"I cannot heap enough praise on Valerie Fitzgerald's superb historical novel "Zemindar." I have always had an interest in India, especially..." Read more

"...is top notch, the characters are so realistically drawn, and the plot is REAL. Such a GREAT book - I could cry........" Read more

"...An incredible tale of Laura the poor relation on a journey to India with her newly married cousin Emily and her husband Charles..." Read more

"...It's a deep love story but filled with political and military backdrops and gorgeous descriptions of the land and the people...." Read more

35 customers mention "Readability"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an enjoyable and epic read.

"...It is a beautifully written, impeccably researched, totally addictive read...." Read more

"...All in all, an enjoyable read, and a nice way to pick up a speaking acquaintance with this sequence of events so pivotal to the brew that created..." Read more

"An incredible read! I feel like I've just returned from a time-travel excursion to India in 1857. I was so absorbed with this book, hypnotized...." Read more

"I'm sorry but this book started off interesting, and offered a lot of promise, but became way too wordy, too much unnecessary information, too much..." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it wonderfully written and easy to read, with one customer highlighting its beautifully descriptive passages.

"...It is a beautifully written, impeccably researched, totally addictive read...." Read more

"...The writing is top notch, the characters are so realistically drawn, and the plot is REAL. Such a GREAT book - I could cry........" Read more

"...or hero are out and out drop dead good looking, just strong, honorable people we come to care about...." Read more

"...book started off interesting, and offered a lot of promise, but became way too wordy, too much unnecessary information, too much unnecessary dialogue..." Read more

16 customers mention "Character development"13 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that they are well developed and rich in details.

"...and colorful portrait of India but she has created an exceptional cast of characters, both Indian and British, realistic and strong enough to..." Read more

"...The writing is top notch, the characters are so realistically drawn, and the plot is REAL. Such a GREAT book - I could cry........" Read more

"...thing I liked most about this book was the author's lovely prose and characters...." Read more

"...The characters are all fully drawn and real...." Read more

11 customers mention "Description"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's descriptions, particularly its fascinating view of mid-19th century India, with one customer noting its detailed and colorful portrayal of the land and people.

"...India but she has created an exceptional cast of characters, both Indian and British, realistic and strong enough to inhabit the times in which they..." Read more

"...history - found the rebellion online -- OMG -- the backdrop of this book is right on target...." Read more

"...filled with political and military backdrops and gorgeous descriptions of the land and the people. 755 pages that I couldn't put down...." Read more

"...author's knowledge and description of Indian conditions, weather and geography is exquisite. For those who like history, there is history in there...." Read more

10 customers mention "Romance"7 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, finding it charming and romantic, with one customer describing it as a feast for the eyes and senses.

"I loved this beautiful book .... taking place in historical India where the English still controlled it...." Read more

"...It was a feast for the eyes and senses and I could imagine just what it was like (based on a real mansion which still apparently exists) and how it..." Read more

"...What I liked about Zemindar is that the male romantic interest was downright ugly, but the writer found a way to portray his attractiveness to her..." Read more

"...an engrossing storyline and characters we care about, in an elegantly written style with an economy of words...." Read more

9 customers mention "Strength"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's strength, noting its resilience and compassion, with one customer highlighting how it portrays people functioning under severe conditions.

"...book's historical accuracy and provides the reader with an unusual, caring and honest perspective of the country, the native population and their..." Read more

"...the heroine or hero are out and out drop dead good looking, just strong, honorable people we come to care about...." Read more

"...danger and near starvation, she discovers her own intelligence, resilience, and compassionate strength as more and more people come to depend on..." Read more

"...If you like history, romance with a touch of intrigue, disasters that make you weep sad tears, thrill with adventure and delight in the finale,..." Read more

8 customers mention "Information quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and fascinating, with one customer noting it is impeccably researched and rich in details.

"...adds tremendously to the book's historical accuracy and provides the reader with an unusual, caring and honest perspective of the country, the..." Read more

"...There is a lot of good information here...." Read more

"...But it also shows the strength, heroism, and redemptive depth that ordinary people can reach in extraordinary, profoundly challenging..." Read more

"Very interesting and insightful. This is a long book that takes its time to build out the story...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jana L.Perskie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply OUTSTANDING!!! A Must Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    I cannot heap enough praise on Valerie Fitzgerald's superb historical novel "Zemindar." I have always had an interest in India, especially during the period of the British Raj. I picked up a copy of this book at a used bookstore by chance, little knowing that it was to become one of my favorite novels. It is a beautifully written, impeccably researched, totally addictive read.
    Set in India during the Raj, the author follows the lives of a newly married British couple on honeymoon to India, their young cousin, an Englishwoman who is companion to the bride, and the groom's half-brother, a European hereditary ruler - a zemindar - to his own fabulous kingdom, Hassanganj. This epic saga of love, war, tragedy and ultimate triumph is drawn from the author's personal experience. Ms. Fitzgerald's grandmother lived through the Indian Sepoy Mutiny, which is vividly recreated here. And the author, herself, spent her adolescence in Lucknow where her father was stationed during WWII. Her summers were spent on a zemindari estate similar to Oliver Erskine's extraordinary holdings. This personal perspective adds tremendously to the book's historical accuracy and provides the reader with an unusual, caring and honest perspective of the country, the native population and their British rulers.
    I would be remiss if I did not mention that Ms. Fitzgerald not only provides a detailed and colorful portrait of India but she has created an exceptional cast of characters, both Indian and British, realistic and strong enough to inhabit the times in which they lived. Notable among them are Oliver Erskine - a combination of Edward Rochester (from Jane Eyre) and Rhett Butler (improbable but most effective and believable) - and Laura Hewitt. The novel is worth the read just to become acquainted with these two.
    Along with "The Siege of Krishnapur," "Zemindar" is one of the best period works of historical fiction. It won the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize in 1981, selected from scores of manuscripts that included M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavillions." Not to be missed!
    JANA
    35 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • lauren sylvan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic but gritty retelling of the Sepoy Rebellion
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Zemindar is set in 1850s India during the Sepoy Rebellion (sometimes referred to in India as `the first war for independence', but we won't go into that here). Although I enjoyed it from the first, I was made increasingly uneasy by the many plot elements this book had in common with an earlier Sepoy Rebellion novel, M.M. Kaye's the Shadow of the Moon. There was the long voyage out from England, the regretted marriage, the unwanted impending pregnancy which kept the protagonists from moving to the safety of the hills, the constant complication of the resulting infant, the period of hiding in the home of a wealthy Muslim in Lucknow only on the sufferance of the chief lady of the household. Most similar of all was the overarching presence of a British man raised in India who knew and loved the land and felt a responsibility to the people that went beyond any romantic attachment. And the same British functionaries (historical, so of course they had the same names) either applauded or condemned him as having `gone native'.

    What I liked about Zemindar is that the male romantic interest was downright ugly, but the writer found a way to portray his attractiveness to her female romantic interest which drew the reader in as well. The lady was merely average too, which is not uncommon, but always nice (I for one prefer heroines who are attractive because they are lovable, not because they are lovely), but Fitzgerald unwound her plot so that it was perfectly obvious why the hero wanted her instead of somebody pretty.

    Some little glitches jerked me out of the plot, like a baby that went from being ignored and dumped on a native nanny to being breast-fed by the mother four weeks later, and then it is explained that this tiny infant would be more comfortable on a day-long journey with our female protagonist - who is not the nursing mother! Or the aforementioned protagonist developing a longing for her native England and not wanting to live in foreign India, although the story starts off by making it clear that she was raised in Italy until she was a teenager.

    There is a lot of good information here. I felt the description of the horrors of the Cawnpore massacre went on a little long, but M.M. Kaye is far worse in that regard, so I was already jaded on that sorry bit of history.

    All in all, an enjoyable read, and a nice way to pick up a speaking acquaintance with this sequence of events so pivotal to the brew that created modern India. Also starts a good deal faster than Kaye's Shadow of the Moon.
    7 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Helene Stephens
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books I've Ever Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    An incredible read! I feel like I've just returned from a time-travel excursion to India in 1857. I was so absorbed with this book, hypnotized. And I am finding it difficult to find the words to express how terrific it was! The writing is top notch, the characters are so realistically drawn, and the plot is REAL. Such a GREAT book - I could cry.....

    I can't believe that I almost missed it! Zeminder? Never heard of it. It was offered as a KindleUnlimited choice, but I usually read mysteries. Still - it sounded "sorta interesting," so I loaded it up. I had no idea what would happen next -- once I got started?!!! Wow --- I forgot my meals, my morning coffee, checking my eMail. I was in India!

    I have never done this before, but the tension of Laura and Oliver's story had me so crazy that I had to flip through some of the later chapters to get to the end - and fast - to find their resolution. After completing the book, I looked up the history - found the rebellion online -- OMG -- the backdrop of this book is right on target. The remnants of the buildings mentioned are still standing. Now I have started my second reading.

    I wish I could give this book 10 stars! Why can't all books be this good??? - or at least, half as good as this one? Absolutely fabulous and beyond-belief GREAT. Don't Miss This Book!
    12 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can't put down!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    There are some books that you read, and don't forget. This is one of them. I have already read this book many, many years ago, and now wanted to read again. My hardcover is packed away somewhere in the attic, so I was very happy to find it for my Kindle. And it's just as interesting as the first time. Even though it's only a novel, there is a lot of history in the story. If you're interested in India during the British rule, I highly recommend this book.
    Report
  • Gallivant
    5.0 out of 5 stars 'Jane Eyre' in India: An enthralling and absorbing read, rich in historical detail.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book surprised me! I was wanting to read a novel which focused on the events of the Sepoy rebellion in 1857 and came across this book by chance. I was a little worried that it had won a 'Georgette Heyer' award for historical romance expecting it to be sappy and lacking historical detail. How wrong I was! This is a detailed and often visceral historical account of the events leading up to the rebellion and the scenes at the Residency in Lucknow are often extremely harrowing.

    The story is narrated by Laura, a 'Jane Eyre' style character (wittingly so, I believe... a 'Dear Reader' is even inserted in the concluding passages and Laura's experiences, in large part, reflect Jane's). Laura is visiting India for the first time in the role as companion to her newly married cousin - a spoilt, pretty girl (although the writer treats her with considerable sympathy). Our heroine is in love with her cousin's husband but these feelings, along with just about everything about her, undergo a tremendous change through her experiences in India.

    This is a long book, but justifiably so. I was enthralled by the plot and the characters. The descriptive detail was impressive ensuring this novel is a truly immersive and often sensory experience. Fitzgerald brings to life the sounds, the smells, the chaos, the searing heat of India and the fearsome adventures undertaken by the characters are genuinely suspenseful. I, like Laura, was half in love with Hassanganj... Paradise Lost. But at the same time, this is not a nostalgic, dewy-eyed apology for British Imperialism in India. There is genuine sympathy for the locals' plight and the sneering snobbishness and racial prejudice of many of the British colonials is presented in a stark and unflinching manner.

    My only (slight) downside were the, at times, protracted discussions between the hero and heroine. Her persistent opacity with regard to his feelings lacked credibility as she was presented as an astute and perceptive character throughout the remainder of the novel. In some regards, their exchanges were again reminiscent of Jane Eyre and Rochester. I think there was a genuine effort on the author's behalf to map that relationship onto this novel, most especially in the characterisation and eventual fate of Oliver and Hassanganj.

    Overall, highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
     Report
  • Fijane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, but no Shadow of the Moon.
    Reviewed in Australia on November 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book after it was recommended here by readers who loved Shadow of the Moon (by MM Kaye). So, while I was reading, there was a thread of comparision running through my mind.

    Up front, this story is no Shadow of the Moon. The writing is much more simplistic, and there are large chunks of description that, while beautiful, become a little tedious. As the book went on, I realised that they did not advance the story at all, and could be safely skimmed over. The characters are more stereotypical than those in SOTM. One of the themes is that the Mutiny was of equal fault by both the British and Indians, however the Indians are very shadowy figures and not engaging to the reader. In SOTM, there are heroes and heroines in both races, and some of the best characters are the so-called minor characters.

    However, I have given this book five stars because it is a cracking read! After becoming used the the almost-juvenile style of prose, it faded to the background and the actual story came to the fore. I did not know much about the Lucknow Siege, in fact what I did know was due to the distant references to it in Shadow of the Moon. I really enjoyed learning about this, and the author painted the picture of the horror, boredom and deprivations of the siege very well. This part of the book is quite drawn out, which I found enhanced my sense of ennui, and I could identify with the characters feeling that the siege would be endless. I did find echoes of other great books here, most particularly Laura's distress at being left on the road by Oliver was very similar to Scarlett being left on the road to Tara by Rhett.

    In summary, a really good book to read but don't expect the matchless quality of the writing of MM Kaye or Margaret Mitchell.
    Report
  • PBL78
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinaire !
    Reviewed in France on November 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    J'ai adoré ce livre de bout en bout. Je ne connaissais rien à l'histoire de l'Inde du XIXè siècle, j'ai donc appris beaucoup de choses. Les personnages sont très attachants et on a envie de savoir comment l'histoire va se terminer pour eux. Une belle histoire d'amour sur fond historique, sans mièvrerie. Ce livre m'a donné envie d'en savoir plus sur l'Inde lorsqu'elle était une colonie de la Grande-Bretagne.
    Un pur bonheur de lecture, je le recommande chaleureusement.
    Dommage que l'auteur n'ait écrit qu'un seul roman.
    Report
  • Avid Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book - in the league of A Suitable Boy and Ghachar Ghuchar
    Reviewed in India on October 31, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    You'll remember this book for a long time after you finish reading it. One novel by the author and what a book!
    Report