Featured non-fiction title Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary

[EmilyMumsnet]

We're delighted to present a new series of non-fiction titles, the first of which is Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary, the dazzling new biography of Sophia Duleep Singh. Written by the acclaimed journalist and writer Anita Anand, the book details the life of the dispossessed Princess and society darling turned revolutionary.

We're giving away 50 free copies to Mumsnetters - apply for yours before Monday 1st June.

Read what Anita has to say about the book here

are we supposed to post reviews here or somewhere else?

Thank you so much for this book, which I have recently begun. Sophia's story is fascinating, and the book is well written.

I really enjoyed this book, the story of the relatively unknown Indian princess Sophia, god daughter of a Queen Victoria.

Whilst excited from India she became an unlikely figure in the suffragette movement.

The care the author has taken to research this book shines through. It is a must for those interested in the relationship between Britain and India during the time of British rule.

It is a fascinating book with some lovely photos, but I am finding it quite a slog to read. It is not easy reading, its quite a heavy read, so many facts and figures and descriptives, maybe its just the weather as its so hot I find I cannot keep my concentration on it. I am struggling to read it while relaxing and can not read it before bedtime either as its too full of info. It is beautifully written and put together and such an inspiring story, but have to admit, its giving me brain ache!

I am struggling to read to too Cookie. I love the content so wasn't sure if it was me/the weather/any other excuse etc. You are not alone!

Have received mine today! At work all weekend so shall start Monday. Cannot wait,the pictures are fascinating.

I loved it! I like historical biographies but often find it hard to concentrate/follow the historical detail, who was who etc - not the case with this one! Sophia was very accessible, easy to read, with lots of detail I was unaware of about the Indian Raj & the relationships between Britain & deposed heads of state. The suffragette period is one I am interested in, but Sophie's story was a totally new one on me. It was interesting to think about her cross-cultural life in a time when I (obviously ignorantly) think of the British population being much more homogenous. Thanks for picking me to read this, I'm lending it to my grandmother now!

After a couple of failed starts (busy at work) I am finally getting into this book.

It is fascinating, a real insight into the life of Sofia Duleep Singh, the Raj and Empire and the suffragette movement. I'm finding it quite easy to read although I don't normally go for biographies. If I didn't know better I'd say it was fiction, it's such a good story!

Thank you for the copy.

I had a literature essay to write so didn't have the concentration for this until this week but am now discovering this fascinating book. The author's researchis impeccable and she shows her passion fir her subject. I do think it is interesting to find out about this royal connection to the suffragettes but also more about Sophia's life in India. She has a direct connection to a lot of social history and I am very pleased to discover her story.

Hugely looking forward to reading this book as I saw a photo of Sophia as a suffragette at the SOAS exhibition in London last year on the Sikh contribution to WW1. Have seen mixed reviews of this book elsewhere - hope this book is interesting for the general reader and not just those of Asian origin or interested in women's history...

Absolutely loved this book. I was slightly nervous when I started as its such a big book and history books can be quite heavy going. But it was absolutely brilliant at times it felt like I was reading fiction. The best book I have read in a long time.

I have just finished this book after reading AA Gill's Life of Queen Victoria in which Sophia is mentioned but not covered in great detail.
Anita Anand clearly has done extensive research and brought this Princess and her siblings to life. The book is well written and throws light on so many of the events that occurred during Sophia's lifetime, not least India's struggle for independence and the suffragette movement.

Thank you to Mumsnet and Bloomsbury for my copy which I am going to donate to my local library in the hope that others will find it as compelling as I did.

This book was an absolutely gripping read. Even though it is about Princess Sophia the background to her story including her grandfather and father is a significant part of the book. I had never taken time to read the history of Britain's relationship with India before and this book chronicles it in such detail and gives you it on a plate. It is fabulous to see how the history of Sophia's predecessors impacts her and her sisters and underpins much of her strength in her causes - both the suffrage movement and her support of Indian men suffering as a result of the British Empire. It came just in time for my son's school India project too. I would highly recommend this as a read to give a better understanding of our relationship with British Sikhs nowadays and also because it is a compelling story of our monarchy. It will also last you your whole holiday!