City of Djinns
a year in Delhi
by William Dalrymple · first published 1993
4mentions
3recommended by
3HN commenters
2016–2018first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Sparkling with irrepressible wit, City of Djinns peels back the layers of Delhi's centuries-old history, revealing an extraordinary array of characters along the way-from eunuchs to descendants of great Moguls. With refreshingly open-minded curiosity, William Dalrymple explores the seven "dead" cities of Delhi as well as the eighth city-today's Delhi. Underlying his quest is the legend of the djinns, fire-formed spirits that are said to assure the city's Phoenix-like regeneration no matter how many times it is destroyed. Entertaining, fascinating, and informative, City of Djinns is an irresist
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…like it in the world. Its colorful, rich in culture, in history, in food, tradition and experience. The city is more than just its air quality! Can I recommend picking up a copy of William Dalrymple's "City of Djinns"? https://www.amazon.com/City-Djinns-Delhi-William-Dalrymple/d...
on “Delhi’s air is so toxic that schools are closing, expats are fleeing” ↗Dalrymple is an excellent historian and author. I also highly recommend his first book, "City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Djinns).
on “The East India Company, the original corporate raiders” ↗1. Delhi: A novel 2. The modern architecture of New Delhi 3. Train to Pakistan 4. Maximum City: Bombay Lost & Found 5. City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi 6. Bauhaus 7. Making of the Atomic Bomb
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2018?” ↗Read a lot of books from Indian Authors or books about India - 1. Delhi: A novel 2. The modern architecture of New Delhi 3. Train to Pakistan 4. Maximum City: Bombay Lost & Found 5. City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi Currently reading - 1. Bauhas 2. Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb (Though, I think I should read Making of the Atomic Bomb first)
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗