Customer Reviews
mandatory if you really want to enjoy our contemporary (Anglo-)Indian literature... - By: RonRonCelup, 25 Jul 2010 
This may not be the most exciting, thrilling book you'll ever lay your hands (eyes) on, & it certainly doesn't have a thick plot or anything like that if that's what you are looking for. However ! In a light & pleasant narrative it gives you an enormous background on Indian history & Dehliin particular. Only after reading this I suddenly had so much better understanding of Rushdie's "The Enchantress of Venice" (which nevertheless is still one of his lesser works as far as I'm concerned). It also made me so much more understand & therefore enjoy Vikram Chandra's "Red earth & puring rain", "The house of the blue mangos" by david Davidar & the current read "White teeth" by Zadie Smith, as well as a number of others I readin the recent past.
Therefore, for anyone who enjoys the contemporary Indian writers as much as I do, should have Dalrymple's as a compulsory entryin his or her list.... Enjoy !
A delightful insight into Indian history. - By: Spider Monkey, 02 Jul 2010 `City of Djinns' offers us a history of Delhi that gradually draws us backin time as the book progresses, interspersed with an account of the authors own time living there. There are beautiful watercolour illustrations throughout that were painted by the authors wife & which are reproducedin black & white. These really add an extra dimension to the book & I enjoyed coming across a new painting every ten pages or so. Dalrymple's descriptions really conjure up lifein the Delhi of the past, as well as making you envisage modern day life based on his own events & experiences. You can almost taste, smell, see & hear the Delhi he so richly paints for us & some of the Islamic poetic phrases he stumbles across are at times simply breathtaking. Delhi is portrayed as a mix of Sikh, Muslim, Hindu & Britishin one bubbling pot, with the creativity & conflicts this diversity engenders. The friendships Dalrymple strikes up are a pleasure to read & add some humour & insight to the overall book. Allin all, this was a delightful read that captures the essence of Delhiin just over 300 pages. It is easy to read & offers an accessible introduction to the various stages of Indian history from the perspective of one town. This is well worth checking out if your interest was piqued enough to have searched for this book or even if you have stumbled across the product page by accident.
Utterly Utterly brilliant. - By: The Riddler, 17 Nov 2009 
Read it & enjoy. He is such an engaging writer, the book is well researched & well put together. The best bit is that he always finds primary sources that other writers just have not bothered to look for. Dalrymple always goes the extra mile & deservedly is one of the best there is.
Dalrymple at his best - By: Spilsbury, 29 Jul 2009 There are 9 Delhi'sin History. Each rich incarnation laid over the preceding. Decaying buildings of grandeur a testament to the richness of Delhi's oft neglected cultural legacy.
the Mughal contribution to Delhi's architecture is particularly interesting as are contemporary India ambivalent attitudes to this history. Delhi is brought to life as a city of Poets where even the courtesans could quote from the Persian Classics.
Dalrymple chronicles the trauma of Delhi post partition & the Punjabification of this old Mughal gem.
History & contemporary observations make this a most fascinating & thought provoking travel companion.
City of Djinns - By: Mrs. V. Pandey, 11 Nov 2007 I recently read city of djinns written by william dalrymple. It was such an honour to know that somebody has actually tried, visiting & livingin delhi to know the real delhi. It is so amazing to read your own thoughts which have been devloped over the years & know know someone else has thought them too. I believe i can really relate to the book as i was born & brought upin delhi. I had always thought that there is something special about the place & the way Mr Darlmaple has researched & written the book is so beautiful.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interestedin reading a bit about our history, to know real Indians, not Hindus, not Muslims, Sikhs or Christians but true Indians, then they must read this book. I wish I could give more stars to the book.
I will certainly read other books written by Mr Dalrymaple.
