Under the Big Dipper

"Under the Big Dipper" by Desiderius George Dery is a story set in India that explores ambition and despair as a young prince battles illness while burdened by the errors of his past. Opening with the prince's failing health in a humble home, watched over by his worried guardian, Count Rondell, the book goes back to the prince’s past and the poor decisions he made. The prince's troubled history and connections to Count Rondell surface, showing the Count's anxieties over the prince's destiny. He remembers how a destructive love led the prince astray, changing his life and contributing to his current tragic state. The narrative highlights themes of love, loss, and the difficult responsibilities tied to royalty, hinting at upcoming political turmoil waiting for them in Roumelia.