I just had to sit back and say WOW!! at the end of this book
This was just outstanding,and I am sorry there was never a sequel and very sorry this author never wrote again. An incredible tale of Laura the poor relation on a journey to India with her newly married cousin Emily and her husband Charles (who Laura thought herself in love with). The book really has a Jane Eyre feel to it, neither the heroine or hero are out and out drop dead good looking, just strong, honorable people we come to care about.
As they travel through India on the way to Lucknow in northern India we meet many characters as the author sets up her stage to the Sepoy rebellion and the seige of Lucknow. Also introduced is Charles’ half brother Oliver Erskine, a Zemindar, or large land holder. Eventually Oliver and Laura fall in love, and are separated at Lucknow (after a harrowing escape from Oliver’s estate after the rebellion). Oh, when Oliver said to Laura, “I will come back to you, for you”.
The rest of the book follows the harrowing conditions at the residency at Lucknow during the seige, the battles, deaths and brutal conditions suffered by the British. Be warned that this was a very brutal rebellion and some of the scenes described, although accurate, can be a bit gory, but important history to be reminded of and the mistakes that were made by ignorant pompous officials and the brutalities committed on both sides due to hate, ignorance and prejudice. It’s unfortunate that we do not learn well from history and things are still so much the same in the Middle East in our present time.
The thing I liked most about this book was the author’s lovely prose and characters. I felt like I was reading Jane Eyre or Villette, she reminded me so much of Charlotte Bronte, particularly at the end with the letters Oliver and Laura exchanged and when they were finally reunited. You definitely want to set aside quiet time(no kids, dogs or phone) for the last 50 or so pages so that you can savor every lovely word and emotion.
Highly highly recommended for any lover of historical fiction, and would suit well to a younger reader as the love scenes are extremely chaste. I would also recommend MM Kaye’s Shadow of the Moon. The same setting, but her characters experienced the rebellion outside of the Residency, so you see a different side of the tale. Both are out of print, but readily available used.
At Home With A Good Book and the Cat 
I just finished this compelling novel today itself. It was a worthwhile experience. I second your views towards it. It would be really helpful if anyone could inform whether the author has any contact point, an email address or a website, for instance. thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it. Best of my knowledge is she fell off the face of the earth, I’ve never heard or sound anything by her since. Wish there’d been a sequel.
I wrote to Ms Fitzgerald in 1984. She told me she was working on another novel set at a different time, but also in India. I got on the computer today to see if I could find some autobiographical material on Valerie Fitzgerald, but no luck. I think she died. when I wrote to her she was already an older woman. I too regret she never wrote another book. Zemindar is my all time favorite book and it had a great influence on my life.
I would so love another book from her, especially a sequel.
Valerie is alive and well. The Ottowa Sun just did an article on her and the re publishing of Zemindar.
http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/books/recalling-the-raj-ottawa-writer-revels-in-reissue-of-her-historical-romance-novel
Merci Mona and thank you so much for replying. I am so very pleased to know that Valerie is still alive and well. You made my day dear, thanks again so much))
Minor correction: my story about Valerie Fitzgerald and the reissue of her book was in the Ottawa Citizen, not the Ottawa Sun.
I’ve heard she’s still around and Zemindar is available on Kindle, although no so far in the US
Sure Mark, and sorry about that Patrick!
Agree very much with the previous comments. Reading Zemindar now for the 4th time and probably the best single book I have ever read. It is because of this book and the fact that I have descended from 4 generations of Brits in India, dating back to 1830, that I was compelled to trace out my family history and in the shadow of those two incredible sieges, Lucknow and Cawnpore. Happily I would attribute both trips from New Zealand to India, including Sati Chaura Ghart and the Bibighar where my Great, Great Grandmother and her 6 children were slaughtered, to Valerie and how my life has been enriched in so many ways by her wonderful words and prompting to visit old India. The Residency in Lucknow and little temple at Sati Chaura, are as they were in 1857, the Bibighar well is undisturbed and clearly visible in Nana Rao Park (Kanpur). Even General Wheelers Entrenchment is an undisturbed 4 acre field, with the ‘well’ from which drinking water was drawn at great cost, still there. All Souls Church at the northern end of the Entrenchment is a must visit for anyone tracing out their family history and has an aire of incredible peace. God bless you dear lady and thank you for writing Zemindar…
Valerie Fitzgerald is indeed alive and well, living in Ottawa – she was featured in the Ottawa Citizen article listed above and also did a radio interview on CBC Radio last week.
You can listen to it here: http://www.cbc.ca/allinaday/episodes/ Scroll down until you find “Valerie Fitzgerald, 85, sees her book published for the second time” -in the interview she addresses why she never published a 2nd book amongst other topics.
I am working with the publisher on ensuring that the e-book is available in the US and Canad
Tim (Valerie’s grandson)
Tim, thank you. Zemindar has so many fans. I still want a sequel though 😀
Thanks Tim, I have written to Valerie via her publicist. But more than a sequel, would be an epic film or even a mini series. Her book is so good, that a script writer would have little to do. Hopefully, with the new release, a talented director like Spielberg or Eastwood will read the book and see how to craft an amazing movie from Valerie’s historic work.