City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi

William Dalrymple

If you enjoyed Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure you will enjoy City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi. A fascinating travel essay book about Delhi and its many faces. The author and his artist wife spent a year in Delhi. The basis of his quest being the legends of the Djinns, these are fire formed spirits that supposedly assure the cities resurrection no matter how many times it is destroyed. The book discusses both Delhi present and Delhi past. It is full of humor as well as a colorful menagerie of characters, including healers, dervishes, transvestites as well as descendents of the great moguls. If you ever spent time in Delhi, plan to visit or would like to experience it vicariously then you will enjoy this book.