Flame Tree Road

By: Shona Patel

Narrated by: Neil Shah

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From the acclaimed author of Teatime for the Firefly comes the story of a man with dreams of changing the world, who finds himself changed by love

India, 1870s. In a tiny village where society is ruled by a caste system and women are defined solely by marriage, young Biren Roy dreams of forging a new destiny. When his mother suffers the fate of widowhood - shunned by her loved ones and forced to live in solitary penance - Biren devotes his life to effecting change.

Biren's passionate spirit blossoms as wildly as the blazing flame trees of his homeland. With a law degree, he goes to work for the government to pioneer academic equality for girls. But in a place governed by age-old conventions, progress comes at a price, and soon Biren becomes a stranger among his own countrymen.

Just when his vision for the future begins to look hopeless, he meets Maya, the independent-minded daughter of a local educator, and his soul is reignited. It is in her love that Biren finally finds his home and in her heart that he finds the hope for a new world.

©2015 Shona Patel (P)2015 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited.

Mesmerizing and touching

I absolutely loved the British Raj backdrop of Bengal and UK. The lucid and vivid narration kept me engrossed and not wanting to stop . The story is a blend of familiar historical backdrop with flavor of patriotism, determination to survive against the odds, human nature all woven intricately 🙏🙏

An ourstanding narrator with an outstanding story

Would you listen to Flame Tree Road again? Why?

I might read the book, but I prefer not to repeat an audio book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flame Tree Road?

The dialogue spoken by Neil Shah was most memorable. Whether he was speaking as a male or female, young or old, English or Indian, his characters were believeable.

Which character – as performed by Neil Shah – was your favorite?

Biren, the main character was my favorite.

Any additional comments?

I liked that some of the events were unexpected and presented an interesting twist to the plot.

Riveting Love Story

Last year my book club selected Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel. After reading her first book, I purchased Flame Tree Road because I could not wait to read 'the back story.' I was not disappointed - it was quite the bittersweet love story of how Layla (from Teatime for the Firefly) actually came to be the young girl 'born under an unlucky star.' Determination, education and hard times are also strong themes of this beautiful prequel.
It was my great privilege to spend a couple of hours with the author earlier this month. My knowledge of Assam tea increased dramatically - as did my admiration for the writer. Shona Patel shared much of her research with our book club - the people she interviewed and the locales she was quite familiar with. Getting to see a bit of the creative process from her perspective was enlightening - she clearly knows the world of which she writes. I am looking forward to a third book about this fascinating culture and the family she writes about - the diverse people of India, the changes in India since colonialism and how tea has driven the economy of this area of the country. I highly recommend both books!