Books with female protagonists blur the boundaries a little more for me. Wearing the costume of another female, her jingling earrings, her colorful attire, the courage coloring her skin and a gleaming hue of strength on her forehead, completing the attire. I feel reading stories about women is a bond that doesn’t dissolve. Because, some day, some things, aren’t only fiction. They are reality captured in fiction. 

Having said that, I thought of picking this book almost everyone has read and admired. But, each experience is new & has its own blooming time, yes? 拾

With hopes of reading about Rani Jindan Kaur as a woman of different seasons, colors, stories, I read a few pages. And, I’m looking forward to read more. The writing is unfolding like a river. Let’s see where it leads me.

“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐’𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

One part of Rani Jindan as Jindan. A part of her as a girl driven by fear, responsibilities, burden, anxiety, yet the courage to wade through life at her own whims. The courage to think of a life beyond her present life. Her character is sketched as one churned by life’s tragedies, yet hopes that are native to hearts. Hopes are meant to live in bruised hearts. They are the torchbearers, leaving imprints of light on everything we’re too terrified to perceive. 💛

Jindan as a girl yearning to be a provider, a sister saving her brother, Jawahar, a girl strong enough to speak her mind, a girl bold enough to dream. I liked Jindan. What I found a bit off was perceiving her in the bits as Ranjit Singh became the sole centre of her attention. Painting him as some idealistic king, a person, deserving everything good in the world. It was fine but I didn’t want to hear so much of him, to be honest. I wanted to hear more about her.

But, after finishing part 1st, I feel we get the picture of people in bits and pieces as they paint a future for themselves. We get to know people while they are holding on to something they like. Perhaps, in the part 2nd, her character will come in a better light. In her own gleaming light.

The writing is captivating. I mean, 9 chapters in, and my interest isn’t drifted when it comes to writing. The author surely knows a lovely way with words. I’ll get back to more thoughts after I finish it. 🥳

A second part of Rani Jindan traversing the path ridden with bliss and gloom, smiles and tears, celebrations and realisations. The Rani, a wife, a mother. Fears. Hopes. Dreams. Realities. Tied up in various knots, holding them in between her palms safely. Beaming with love, wearing love, reflecting love. Her character is more fleshed out in the 2nd part, with her opinions owning the space, her roles shifting something within her.

Being a queen, The Last Queen, is all about an in-depth transformation. An inner light guiding, a heart simmering with knowledge. While I got to read different sides of her, her spaces, she is somehow lost for me in the different words. And, I’m making my way to reach her, word by word. In bits and pieces. In lights and shades. In roles and emotions. But, again, transformation isn’t a one day event. It’s a life-long journey. Piercing the soul before setting it free. To take charge.

The writing, I’m repeating is unfolding in a way meant to take you along. It hands you the keys of an era away from your reality. The essence of this book beams with familiarity. Nudging you to read along. Gently. Patiently.