I really enjoyed this London based WWII story with an unusual perspective. It focuses around fictional members of the India Forum in London and their endlessly patient fight for independence for India- trying to persuade the right hearts and minds that Britain needed to release its hold on their country. The narrative is told through two strong female perspectives- both part of the India Forum and independence fight and both characters with interesting back stories and reasons for their involvement. The reader sees a spectrum of approaches to the task of gaining independence through their eyes.

Engaging read, and I would highly recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah shines a search beam on to a dark corner of World War Two, the sometimes extreme struggle for Indian independence in a time of global conflict.

The story centres on the lives of Indian émigrés in wartime London who meet at the India Forum to plan resistance to the Raj. It is told from the point of view of two fictional protagonists; ballsy Londoner Ruby who loves to break society’s rules but who harbours a very personal secret, and idealistic barrister Keerthanaben, or Kitty.

Kitty hates the idea of her husband, Haseeb, joining up to fight on the side of British colonial power, and tensions in the marriage grow when Haseeb joins the RAF. Kitty feels particular foreboding during the Forum’s debates about a post-independence partition of India as she is Hindu and Haseeb is Muslim. In a shadowing of the country’s later fate, their marriage has left the couple estranged from their families in rifts that seem unlikely ever to heal.

Ruby becomes involved with devil-may-care Satyajit, a firebrand for Free India, while she is also an informant for British secret services. Drama builds towards a shockingly extremist act which forces Ruby into an impossible dilemma, but Neema Shah cleverly explores the nuances in every character’s motives so that our sympathies are constantly questioned and tested.

The events in the story are largely fictional but the authentic atmosphere of wartime London is skilfully evoked, and the history of extremists in the Free India movement is fascinatingly explored. Satyajit is a supporter of Subhas Chandra Bose, the real Indian nationalist who met Hitler and raised an army of Indian prisoners of war to fight on the side of the Germans and the Japanese. It’s an angle of India’s struggle for freedom that still raises controversy and Neema Shah presents the debate with empathy and even-handedness.

A Thread of Light is a beautifully told and moving story of two very different women finding their place in a turbulent world, and an important insight into a dark corner of India’s wartime struggle for freedom.

Neema Shah has given us an insight into WW2 in London that is different to any I have read before. A Thread of Light is so interesting and I was intrigued by the back story of Indian people in the UK who continued to fight for Indian independence despite the ongoing war with the Nazi's. I am grateful to the author for proving me with such a thought provoking and historically accurate read. This subject needs to have more exposure.
It is also a meaningful story about women and their role during the war. Specifically Indian born lawyer Kitty and air-raid warden Londoner Ruby, whose father is Indian., So different but both with their own battles. The intersectional discrimination Kitty faced was not surprising but was well portrayed and added a lot to the book.
I particularly liked the insight into the lives of British Indians in 1940's London and the authors research was clearly extensive, ensuring the richness of the descriptions.
I'd recommend A Thread of Light to book clubs, as it raises so many topics for discussion.

A different slant on the World War 2 novel. Two women - one an ARP warden, one a barrister - support, in different ways the Indian Forum (an organisation set up to promote Indian independence). It is an intriguing novel, with interesting characters from all sides of the debate. Well written, and I would highly recommend it.

With thanks to Picador and NetGalley for an ARC.

What I like most about A Thread of Light is the creative way author Neema Shah has used tiny details of everyday life. Her painstaking research brings to life a tumultuous period which was at risk of being forgotten. Food, clothes, travel, education, sport – every aspect of the experiences of Indians living abroad during the struggle for independence is explored.
The story is told from the points of view of two young women living in London at the height of WW2. Indian national Kitty has taken refuge in London with her Muslim husband Haseeb, after being rejected by her Hindu family because of their inter-faith marriage. She is an Oxford educated barrister, but due to misogyny and racism she is unable to land a job which is appropriate to her ability level. Ruby, a working-class air raid warden who is the daughter of an Indian father and White English mother, is keen to explore her Indian heritage. Both women must face enormous challenges. Ruby courageously faces the horrors of the Blitz while trying to cope with a family bereavement and hiding a dark secret. Kitty’s biggest problem is loneliness. She has one female English friend from university who invites her to parties, but this only makes her feel like the token foreigner.
Kitty and Ruby meet at the India Forum, an organisation set up by expatriate Indians to promote the cause of Indian independence. Unfortunately, no two members of the Forum agree on how to achieve this objective. The women are not drawn to each other and have only minimal contact, until Ruby’s attraction to the brooding Satyajit begins to affect the group and the cause they share.
I recommend A Thread of Light for its original and illuminating view of a small but meaningful chunk of colonial history.

A memorable story as much because of its ability to educate as well as its ability to entertain. Set in London, the travails of life during the Blitz are kept sharply in focus and yet the parallel troubles in a UK-based fight for an independent India still find an important place in the narrative. A dark story where it often seems like little progress is being made on either front, but one where it feels right that it is now given a current and broader audience.

Second World War and the Indian independence movement in London during the 1940s.
This fictional account of the Indian Union and its fight for independence emphasises the prejudices against foreign nationals and their skin colour. The author has introduced a number of characters, each of whom has different views on how to achieve peace, but none could foresee the eventual split of India and the movement across the borders of Muslim and Hindi alike.

I found this novel a more informative than an enjoyable read, painting a picture of London under attack from enemy bombs and homeland politics.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

An interesting story, full of conflict and drama, but for me it lacked something in the writing, which meant I didn't engage with the characters as much as I'd have liked. It should have kept me turning the pages, but somehow it didn't.

I'm a fan of WW2 historical fiction and think A Thread of Light is a good and enjoyable read. I liked the two main characters, Kitty and Ruby who are of Indian descent and live in London. The author weaves a good story following the two ladies during war time and the fight for independence for their country and heritage. I felt the first part of the story moved a little to slowly for my liking although it did pick up and soon became an engaging and interesting read. The authors writing is good and very descriptive and I could picture the characters in my mind when reading. I really liked the ending, it gives good closure for both characters as they carry on after end of the war. If you like historical fiction that is just a little bit different I think you'd enjoy this and would recommend it.

3.5 stars

A poignant and thought-provoking historical novel set against the backdrop of wartime London, where the fight for independence intersects with personal sacrifice and love.

London, 1941. Amidst the chaos of the Blitz, Ruby, a lonely air raid warden, finds herself drawn into the world of the India Forum, where a group of Londoners is tirelessly working to free India from British rule. While Ruby has her own secret reasons for joining the cause, her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Satyajit—charming, aloof, and perhaps dangerous. Torn between her head and her heart, Ruby faces the struggle of whether to pursue her personal desires or stay true to her duty.

Kitty, a lawyer, is helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. Having left her family in Bombay to marry the man she loves, she now risks losing him as well. As the lives of Ruby and Kitty collide, they are drawn into a world of political tension and personal stakes. With violence closing in and the looming threat of war, both women must decide how far they are willing to go for the people they love.

A Thread of Light offers a captivating glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of history, providing a rich narrative about the struggles of the Indian independence movement during the Second World War. The novel is told from the perspectives of Ruby and Kitty, and their character development is vivid and relatable. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, and while the historical accuracy may not be widely known to some readers, the emotional depth and authenticity of the characters make it a compelling read.

This is a beautifully written and immersive book, perfect for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with complex characters, love, and sacrifice at its heart.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A different slant to a familiar theme. I was unaware of the Indian community and their fight for independence in World War 2. Interesting and enlightening.

I've read a number of books set in WW2 but this was the first which had the backdrop of fighting for freedom for India and what they meant for those living in the UK and back in India. History tends to concentrate on the big picture which as the war and the other issues which were going on at that time don't tend to be as widely known.

It has made me read more about the history of it all as not something I covered at school although did do both World Wars!!

Neema Shah’s A Thread of Light is a poignant and evocative historical novel that weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom against the backdrop of World War II London. This stunning second novel captures the tension and turmoil of a city under siege, while exploring the personal and political struggles of its richly drawn characters.

Set in 1941, the story follows Ruby, a lonely air raid warden who is drawn into the India Forum, a group of Londoners working to free India from British rule. Ruby has her own secret reasons for joining the cause, but her resolve is tested when she meets Satyajit, a charming yet enigmatic figure who complicates her loyalties. Meanwhile, Kitty, a lawyer who left her family in Bombay to marry the man she loves, is helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. As their lives intersect, both women must confront the sacrifices they are willing to make for the people they love and the causes they believe in.

Shah’s writing is both lyrical and immersive, capturing the atmosphere of wartime London with vivid detail. The novel’s exploration of themes like belonging, loss, and the cost of freedom is deeply moving, offering a nuanced look at the personal and political conflicts of the time. Ruby and Kitty are compelling protagonists, their struggles and choices adding emotional depth to the narrative.

The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Satyajit and the men Kitty fights to protect, adds richness and complexity to the story. The tension between personal desires and political ideals is palpable, creating a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging. Shah’s prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the emotional intensity and historical significance of the story with precision.

A Thread of Light is a story of love and sacrifice, of the bonds that unite us and the choices that define us.

This is a story about the campaign for in independent India during the Second World War.
I understand why this could be a topic around which to build a book but for me it didn’t hit the mark. I found it difficult to identify with any of the characters and found the very similar chapters rather dull.
In the face of immense pressure in the blitz, the campaigners seem oblivious and continue their work without reference to the raids. One of the main characters is a volunteer air raid warden - and a thief. But none of her experiences during the raid are made relevant to the campaign meetings. I found it rather disjointed.

A Thread of Light tells the tale of World War 2 hit London. But it isn't just Britain's war, it is the British Empire's. The book tells of the story of Indians in London, some of whom are not only fighting the war, but also for independence from British rule. This was an interesting new take on what might be considered a familiar tale. Well worth a read.

A Thread of Light by Nerma Shah is a fascinating book.
Here in the UK we are aware of the Raj and of Partition but not with the depth and detail of someone who lived through the events leading up to it.

Keerthanaben is a modern, educated woman who waves her family and settles in London at the time of the blitz because she loves a man her family find unacceptable.

She is an Oxford-educated barrister who becomes Kitty who is consigned to making tea for Free India meetings.

On the surface she has little in common with Ruby a grasping ARP warden but the war pulls them both in to tragedies and tumult and much heart searching.

Should a nan who came to the UK to fight for Indian Independence be expected to be compelled fight for the alien country?

Meanwhile as the war progresses it becomes apparent that before long many Indians will die of starvation as rice is seized from those who most need it.

Kitty develops a dual identity as a cultivated lady in her fox fur or a saro wearing protester. Ruby also has a dual role to play. Both are likeable characters and draw the reader into their lives.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the historical content as much, if not more than, I enjoyed the story! The story centres around Kitty and Ruby, who meet at The India Forum in London, set up to win Independence for India, during the Blitz. Both have something to prove and both go about it in different ways as they decide whether to be ruled by their head or their heart.
This book explores the theme of colonialism and how the enrichment of Britain impacted on the lives of so many as well as the events leading to the Partition of India in 1947. A very interesting read on many levels.

I certainly learnt a lot reading this book about the fight for Independence for India. A very readable tale set during WW2 in London where a group of Indian citizens are trying to fight their cause whilst also surviving and in many cases also contributing to the war effort with plenty of conflict of interests. Although plenty is written about the War it was so interesting to have a different perspective and to be enlightened about this group of people at that time. Good characters who were very easy to get involved with and also making the book easy to read.

I wasn't aware of this history and found it quite enlightening. The writer is clearly very passionate about it and it comes across in the book.

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah is set in London during the Second World War and is told from the points of view of Ruby and Kitty. Ruby works as an air raid warden and Kitty works for the India Forum who are campaigning for independence from the British in India.

It is not an area of history I am overly familiar with and so not sure how historically accurate it may be, however as a novel it is very enjoyable. The characters are well written and feel like they could have been real people. The story its2lf is well paced and I would recommend reading it.