The Twentieth Wife A Novel

An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses -- a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale,The Twentieth Wifesweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman -- a legend in her own time -- who was all but lost to history until now.

Indu Sundaresan, born and raised in India, came to the United States for graduate school. The Twentieth Wife is her first novel. She continues Mehrunnisa's tale in The Feast of Roses, forthcoming from Atria Books. She lives in Bellevue, Washington.