Godden's childhood in India, where the British held semi-royal status, and her frequent later visits enrich her descriptions. The house made available to Sir Edward Gwithiam because of his diplomatic services for the United Nations owes much to Godden's memories of their homes in various Indian villages along the tributaries of the Ganges River. She fills the house with servants, Indian and Chinese, who must have awed the young Godden girls. The accuracy of her descriptions, reviewers have said, brings the reader "the sights, the sounds, the smells of India."

Hal's crush on a handsome, effete, young ex-Maharajah brings the reader into contact with Indians of enormous wealth who have no other concern than how to spend their money pleasantly.

One is fascinated by the almost photographic nicety with which Godden brings readers in contact with Ravi, who writes by the light of a lamp in the hut...