Set in early 1900s India, Vermillion Harvest, Playtime at the Bagh by Reenita M. Hora is an evocative historical fiction novel that skillfully weaves the tale of star-crossed lovers dreaming of escaping to Bombay, far from prying eyes. Hora sheds light on a dark chapter in India’s history, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919, which took place during the Baisakhi spring festival. Through this short novel, Hora brings both the romance and tension of the era to life with a story that captures the lovers’ struggle for a future free from societal scrutiny and under the looming shadow of British rule.

The story unfolds with striking historical accuracy, immersing readers in a powerful narrative that portrays the grim reality facing Hora’s characters leading up to the massacre. Even for readers unfamiliar with this history, the novel is a deeply informative journey, making one feel both sorrow and frustration as the characters challenge a society that forbids their love and resists the oppressive British regime. I could not help but root for them to reach Bombay, free to love and live as they wish.

Hora’s incorporation of Jane Austen references adds another dimension to the story, and fans of Pride and Prejudice will recognize Austen’s influence in the lovers’ struggle against societal norms. While the historical context is masterfully depicted, readers may occasionally find themselves needing to pause to look up certain terms, which, though slightly distracting, ultimately enriches the authenticity and depth of the novel’s portrayal of early 20th-century India.

Vermillion Harvest, Playtime at the Bagh is a haunting, well-researched, and intricately woven tale that combines romance and resistance, making it both an enlightening and emotional read. Readers of historical fiction and those drawn to stories of forbidden love will find this novel rewarding.

Pages: 312 | ISBN: 1953278523