Alice Robinson was born on the 15th July 1867 in the hill station of Mussoorie, India.Raised in a wealthy military family, she was educated in England. After marrying Charles Perrin, a government engineer, they returned to India in 1886.To combat the isolation and boredom experienced by British women living in the colonies, Perrin turned to writing. In 1901 she achieved widespread popularity with her ghost story collection, ‘East of Suez’, which deftly blended supernatural ...

Thirteen Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories that send chills up the spine and create an atmosphere sure to make the reader turn on an extra light and push up the back of their armchair against the wall.Set amidst crumbling, ill-maintained churches and imposing cathedrals, on desolate coastland, moors and marshes, even along unlit roads extending into the new suburbs of London, the stories have been chosen for their quality of writing, imaginative range and diversity of character...

At it’s zenith, just after World War 1, the British controlled the oceans and bestrode a quarter of the globe, and, it was famously said of them; ‘the Empire upon which the sun never sets’.In this volume, we bring together some very talented authors who were born in what was then called British India but who themselves became names whose fame reached and shone across continents. Their pens illuminated characters and narratives and added to the great depth of the world’s literature....

The rustic portion of the congregation shouted the familiar hymn with laborious goodwill, overpowering the more cultivated voices that rose from the chancel and the front pews—almost defeating the harsh notes wrung from the harmonium by the village schoolmistress, who also led the singing in a piercing key, supported raucously by her pupils gathered about the unmusical instrument. Even in the early 'nineties nothing so ambitious as an organ or a surpliced choir had as yet been attempted in...

Summer-time at Under-edge compensated, in a measure, for the trials and severities of winter--for winter could be grim and cruel in the isolated little Cotswold village approached by roads that were almost perpendicular. Why such a spot should ever have been fixed upon for human habitation seemed difficult to comprehend, save that in old and dangerous days its very inaccessibility may have been its chief attraction; most of the villagers were descendants of gypsies, outlaws, and highwaymen...

Star of India is a romantic novel that follows the complicated courtship and marriage of a young woman who’s disenchanted with the minutiae of life. Refusing to embrace the role of a missionary or tutor, she hastily weds an older man in hopes of breaking away from her family’s oppressive influence.Stella Carrington is eager to experience life outside the confines of her grandmother’s home. In an attempt to curb Stella’s unconventional desires, her family s...

The Woman in the Bazaar by Alice Perrin is a dramatic and emotionally charged novel set in British India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It explores themes of love, marriage, colonial life, and the role of women in society. The story is a poignant examination of cultural clashes, societal expectations, and personal dilemmas.The plot centers around a young Englishwoman named Rafella Forte, who marries Captain Hubert Coventry, an officer in the British Indian Army. Initially, ...

Star of India is a novel by Alice Perrin that transports readers to the enchanting backdrop of India during the British Raj. The story revolves around the life of its titular character, the Star of India, a beautiful and talented young woman who finds herself caught between the cultural richness of her homeland and the complexities of colonial influence.The narrative follows her journey as she navigates love, duty, and the expectations placed upon her by society. Throughout the novel, them...

First published in 1919, Star of India tells the story of a young woman yearning for a more exciting life. Feeling trapped by her uptight relatives and their rigid way of life, she marries an officer in the Indian Civil Service in order to escape the doldrums of daily life. Though she is indifferent to romance - and disenchanted with her husband - the allure of adventure in a foreign land, and the appearance of a dashing young Junior officer, force her to think deep about what she wants fr...

The rustic portion of the congregation shouted the familiar hymn with laborious goodwill, overpowering the more cultivated voices that rose from the chancel and the front pews-almost defeating the harsh notes wrung from the harmonium by the village schoolmistress, who also led the singing in a piercing key, supported raucously by her pupils gathered about the unmusical instrument. Even in the early 'nineties nothing so ambitious as an organ or a surpliced choir had as yet been attempted in...

A Gothic love affair taking place in British colonial India.

In "Star of India," Alice Perrin weaves a compelling narrative set against the lush backdrop of British India during the late 19th century. Through her rich, descriptive prose, Perrin explores themes of cultural clash, identity, and the complexities of colonial life. The novel is characterized by its intricate characterization and a poignant exploration of social hierarchies, painting a vivid picture of the lives of both British expatriates and Indian locals. As a part of her literary oeuv...