(4 Volume Box Set) The Raj Quartet, The Jewel in the Crown; The Day of the Scorpion; The Towers of Silence; A Division of the Spoils THE FOLIO SOCIETY

London: The Folio Society, 2009. Hardcover. Very good. Hardcover. 9 1/2" X 6 1/2". xiv, 462pp.; vii, 466pp.; vii, 384pp.; vii, 580pp. Volumes are bound in blue, black, red, and green cloth over boards with spines lettered in gilt and covers stamped with decorative images. Very mild shelf wear to covers, corners, and edges of boards. Pages are clean and unmarked. Bindings are square and sound. Light toning to inside of slipcase. Outside of slipcase is clean and undamaged.

ABOUT THIS SET:
"The Raj Quartet" is a series of four novels by Paul Scott, set during the final years of the British Raj in India, leading up to Indian independence. (truncated) The series provides a detailed exploration of British and Indian society during this transformative period. The books are:

"The Jewel in the Crown" - This novel begins the saga, focusing on the tensions between the British colonial rulers and the Indian population. It centers on the complex relationships between an Englishwoman, Daphne Manners, and an Indian man, Hari Kumar, against the backdrop of the waning days of British rule.

"The Day of the Scorpion" - This installment continues to depict the political and personal intricacies, emphasizing the lives of various characters as the nationalist movement gains momentum in India.

"The Towers of Silence" - This book shifts focus to the female characters, particularly Barbie Batchelor, as it highlights the emotional impact of colonial rule on both the British and Indian communities.

"A Division of the Spoils" - The final volume of the quartet deals with the disintegration of British power and the personal conflicts that arise as independence and Partition loom closer.

The Raj Quartet is notable for its intricate narrative structure and its detailed portrayal of the complexities of colonialism, culture, and power dynamics. The series is widely regarded for its depth and insight into the British-Indian experience, offering multiple perspectives on the tensions and contradictions of the era. (Inventory #: 16067)