The Glowing Hours

books by Leila Siddiqui

DIGITAL FILE ACCESS The Glowing Hours

A mind-bending, revisionist gothic horror story about the fabled summer Mary Shelley began work on Frankenstein, as told by her Indian housemaid, Mehrunissa “Mehr” Begum. For fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Isabel Cañas, and Kathe Koja. “Strange how one can find they are an interruption in another person’s story . . .” Summer 1816: London is a hostile place for the newly disembarked Mehrunissa Begum, who’s come to deliver her brother’s letter of inheritance before returning to her comfortable life in Lucknow, India. Only, she can’t find her brother anywhere and has no money for the return trip. With nowhere else to go, Mehr finds refuge in a boardinghouse for Indian maids. If she can’t find her brother, she reasons, she will get a job and start saving. Mehr is soon hired at the... The book encourages readers to remain attentive by rewarding careful reading. Small details gain significance as the story progresses, adding layers of meaning to the narrative. The book succeeds in creating a sense of progression that feels natural. Events unfold logically, building upon one another in a way that enhances understanding and engagement. Readers are guided through the story without feeling manipulated or rushed.