As the name suggests, the novel is indeed a literary feast to the reader. It is a sequel to The Twentieth Wife which I havent read unfortunately. The story is all about love, jealousy, power, and decline. It is a woman's story, the story of Noor Jahan and Jahangir. Noor Jahan means 'light of the world' while Jahangir is 'emperor of the world'.
The novel begins by expressing the love the central characters have for each other. Initially they are Salim and Mehrunissa of the Mughal period. In due course of time, they receive their titles - Jahangir and Noor Jahan. Though it portrays the love both of them share, it is a female oriented story. Mehrunissa is the loving, caring, as well as shrewd queen of the Mughal empire. For Jahangir, Mehrunissa, his twentieth wife is his true love. Before her first marriage, both were attracted to each other. Ultimately, Jahangir slays her Mughal husband, which marks the beginning of their married life and a whole new love story. The extreme affection both share can be viewed in the gestures and displays of love both make.
We view Mehrunissa as a wonderful mother when with her daughter, and as a shrewd stepmother and queen when ruling the empire. She is portrayed as a woman with extreme capabilities for capturing love and hatred. She is different from the woman of her period when she appears along with her husband in his court room and actually rules the empire. Mehrunissa steps out from the world of the inner chambers of the palace to the court and ruling chambers. She proves herself to be the favourite wife of Jahangir as well as the most powerful woman in the empire. Finally we see the fall of Mehrunissa when Jahangir dies and the empire is conquered by his eldest son. Mehrunissa spends the rest of her life in the darkness of the palace.
The author, Indu Sundaresan, takes us through the riches and glories of the Mughal period. The buildings, people, costumes, life style, and everything is explained with the minutest detail. And well you must be wondering why the title - The Feast of Roses. There is an instance where Jahangir displays his love for his queen. The way through which Mehrunissa is to walk is decorated with rose petals. Wondering what is so special about that? Each petal is kept at a certain distance from the other and is kept inverted over which is placed a drop of rosewater. The drop shines when the sunlight falls on it and the path sparkles. The whole place is filled with the fragrance of rose water and roses. Mehrunissa walks over the petals. The beauty of the whole arrangement, only to be lost by the swishing and swooshing of her skirt. Hours of effort, just for her to walk on. Well does that sound interesting? Indeed, it is and you must agree to it.
