The Twentieth Wife, by Indu Sundaresan, is historical fiction about Empress Nur Jahan, born Mehrunnisa, and later becoming the favored wife of Emperor Jahangir during the early seventeenth century, at the height of the Mughal Empire. She is said to have ruled the empire with him. Their love is not as famous as that of the next Emperor, Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife, but it should be. Theirs is a love story spanning many decades and filled with political intrigue.

The story comes alive in Sundaresan’s deft hands. I was captivated by Mehrunnisa and fascinated by her story. I learned much about the life within the zenana, the imperial harem, at the time. Women had power inside here, behind the screens and behind the veil, as they did nowhere else in India at this time.

I was disappointed that the story ended when it did-I would have liked to read the next chapter, and I believe there will be a sequel. I look forward to reading it.