In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced by Justine Bothwick

In my opinion...

This fascinating and unusual debut novel offers a glimpse into a world that I knew very little about.

The story confronts many themes from the seemingly privileged role of women in 1930s India via misogyny to loneliness, love and unconventionality.

It is not an exciting novel, but it is a fascinating and intriguing one. I became caught up in Florence's life and wanted her to have a happy ending where she achieved her dreams.

The cover of the book is beautiful and eye catching. As to the title, who can resist such a glorious image? Certainly a book to be read slowly, with a lovely cocktail beside you.

Want to know more?

Set against the lush backdrop of early 20th century India, In the Mirror, a Peacock Danced is the moving story of one woman’s journey back to herself.

Agra, 1938: Eighteen-year-old Florence Hunt has grown up riding horses past the Taj Mahal and chasing peacocks through her backyard under the critical gaze of her father. Increasingly enamoured with his work on the booming railway, Florence yearns to know more, but finds herself brushed away, encouraged only to perform the more ladylike hobbies of singing and entertaining guests. So when a dazzling young engineer walks into her life, she finds herself not only gripped by secret lessons in physics but swept entirely off her feet.

Portsmouth, 1953: Fifteen years later, Florence finds herself pregnant and alone in post-war England – a far cry from her sun-drenched existence in India. Struggling to cope with the bleakness of everyday life in a male-dominated world, Florence is desperate to find the woman she used to be. But when someone from her past reaches out, Florence might just have a chance to start over.

Soaring from the shimmering heights of the big top to the depths of heartbreak, can Florence find the happiness, independence, and passion she once had in order to start living again?

My rating?

A colourful & exotic four glasses, preferably of an appropriate cocktail, although a lovely Bombay gin would be rather nice!