Book Review: The Mysterious Mr Jacob

Perhaps, the abandoned bones buried somewhere beneath my feet have some life in them yet. Knowing Alexander Malcolm Jacob as I do now, nothing would surprise me.

Author: John Zubrzycki ISBN: 9788184001266 Binding: Paperback Publisher: Random House India Date of Publication: 2012 Number of Pages: Approx 360 with cover

A diamond larger than the famous Kohinoor was discovered in South Africa, smuggled to London, and offered for sale. What follows is an eventful journey that imparts a story, a history to the gem – a history that is much sought after by a collector. Following bizarre course of events, the Imperial Diamond or Jacob’s diamond, as it is presently known as, had ended up in the hands of the Nizam of Hyderabad, subsequently used as a paperweight before being forgotten inside a rotten old slipper. Now in the possession of the Government of India, the diamond fades away in a vault, and is only occasionally displayed in exhibitions.

Closely associated with the tale of this obscure brilliant, is the story of a man whose name, at the very peak of the Raj, was synonymous to extravagant wealth and extraordinary reputation. Alexander Jacob: the diamond merchant, magician and spy had arrived in Bombay penniless, gradually rising to one of the most successful and rich merchants in India dealing in gems and curiosities. At the peak of his career Jacob planned an audacious deal to sell the Imperial to the Nizam of Hyderabad – a deal, if it came through would have set up his life for ever. However: the deal went horribly wrong. After long and painful legal battles, Jacob lost all that he had acquired. Taking all his secrets with him in the grave, Alexander Malcom Jacob lost into obscurity and so did the diamond.

Alexander Jacob and the eventful tale of Jacob’s diamond forms the basis of this book. In the Mysterious Mr Jacob: the author has succeeded in recreating the events around a very less if not never discussed person and his time. In spite of difficult research due to lack of sources, the author managed to create Jacob’s world in an extraordinary fashion. A page turning account of a very less discussed history, the book ends with an air of mystery – as mysterious as the central character. The Mysterious Mr Jacob is a highly successful third person narrative based on researched history. If you have inclination towards writings on the past, go for it.

I had received the review copy from Random House India. Thank you Rukun for giving me this opportunity. You can buy this book at amazon or at flipkart in case you live in India. You can also find the lowest price of this book in India at shoppingwish.in

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