A Tale of Two War Wives (Paperback)

Set in a historical era of British Raj in India, a story of two women's struggles and sacrifices before, during and after the WW2. Annie survives the trauma of neglect and abuse in her childhood but finds love in her husband Peter, an army officer who is sent to India under the imperial Raj to control the constant threats of mutinies erupting all over India during "Quit India" movements. After spending six years of their marriage in India, Annie loses Peter to a local woman who finds Peter half dead in the attack from the freedom fighters. Peter in the state of amnesia don't recognize Annie and chooses to be with his caretaker Miriam. Devastated and desolate Annie finds solace in Peter's friend and fellow army officer Suraj who helps her through the ordeal. Suraj, a valiant and adept army officer is sent to fight the Japanese in Malaysia during WW2 and is badly wounded. From the POW camp he is handed to Indian revolutionaries to fight against the British. Suraj, who realizes the exploitation and atrocities of the British, turns rebellious and joins the Indian national army formed by the freedom fighters. Suraj's wife Maya who lives in a village with her two daughters and elderly in-laws desperately wants a son. Her attempts to have a son fail tragically when complications in pregnancy lead to hysterectomy. Fear of losing Suraj's inheritance to his mean nephews for lack of male heir leaves Maya no option but to marry her husband off to another woman in a hope for a son. Back in England Annie unprepared for racial prejudices in civil world gives birth to Suraj's son Charlie. She carries the burden of shame and scorn but with Mary's support, raises her son single handedly. During WW2, when all single women had to be registered and sent to help in war causes, she marries her second husband Joe who also gets killed in the war. Annie who has kept her son a secret from Suraj all her life, feels obligated to disclose this important information before Suraj dies. Maya is left to introduce Charlie to her daughters and son Veer (from the second wife) and honors Charlie to perform his father's funeral rites. Maya's devotion to her husband and family intrigues Annie. The two remain friends forever. Ironically two brothers from different mothers meet on the same flight but are clueless that they are visiting the same dying father.