Short Synopsis
From Indu Sundaresan, the internationally bestselling author of The Twentieth Wife, a novel based on the tumultuous history of a legendary 186-carat diamond and the men and women who possessed it.

Full Synopsis
As empires rose and fell and mighty kings jostled for power, its glittering radiance never dimmed. It is the "Mountain of Light"—the Kohinoor diamond—and its facets reflect a sweeping story of love, adventure, conquest, and betrayal. Its origins are the stuff of myth, but for centuries this spectacular gem changes hands from one ruler to another in India, Persia, and Afghanistan. In 1850, the ancient stone is sent halfway around the world where it will play a pivotal role in the intertwined destinies of a boy-king of India and a young queen of England—a queen who claims the Mountain of Light and India itself for her own burgeoning empire, the most brilliant jewels in her imperial crown.

The Mountain of Light is a magnificent story of loss and recovery, sweeping change and enduring truth, wrapped around the glowing heart of one of the world's most famous diamonds.

"Shah's accent and diction are very good, which helps listeners follow a plot filled with unfamiliar names and places." ---AudioFile

"On one level, Indu Sundaresan's novel Mountain of Light is a fascinating tale about a mythical jewel, filled with adventure and romance, that draws the [listener] in. But on a deeper level, it is a keen and heart-rending examination of the costs of colonialism." ---Chitra Divakaruni, author of Oleander Girl

"Whether you [listen to] The Mountain of Light for its dramatic story, its lush setting, or its vivid characters, this novel will give you insights into history that will change you." ---Janet Lee Carey