We all remember certain rare long novels we hated to see come to an end; it was almost like breaking up with someone we love. You will feel that way about THE FAR PAVILIONS. From the foothills of the towering Himalayas, through the palaces of old India, across the bone strewn passes of the Khyber, to the final cataclysmic scene in the ancient "Land of Cain," M.M. Kaye weaves a vast, rich and vibrant tapestry of love and war that ranks with the great panoramic sagas of modern fiction. Spanning twenty-five of the 19th century's most turbulent years, it is a mesmerizing story of hatred and bitter combat; of courage, cowardice and human sacrifice; of the star-crossed wedding of East and West; and above all it is a tale of love. It is the story of Ash, an Englishman who is raised as a Hindu in the shadow of the Himalayas; of Juli, an Indian princess who must choose between the heritage of her people and the man she loves; of families and friends, allies and adversaries working out their destinies while an ancient civilization rushes toward its fate. But always, from first to last, it tells of a love transcending time and place and dominating the sweep of events. THE FAR PAVILIONS is a monumental achievement, a passionate and triumphant story that excites us, fills us with joy, moves us to tears, and helps us remember just what it is we want most from a novel.