Author: Anand
Neelakantan
Publisher:
Leadstart Publications
Year: 2013
So, the next book that I could get both my eyes and hands on
to was the “Ajaya: Roll of the Dice (Epic of the Kaurava clan, #1)”. As it so
happened this time when I picked up the book, I said to myself that I will not
be writing any book review. However, everything about this book, let me call it
a piece of art impressed me so much and I just had to write and share about
this wonderful work.
Before I begin with the review, let me start by saying that
this is the first time I had a book written by Mr. Anand Neelakantan in my
hands. He has authored other books like Asura: tale of the Vanquished. It seems
like he relishes in exploring the en-explored, bringing the least thought of occurrences
into light of his books, questioning the unquestioned and asking the unknown question,
seeking answers to the unwelcome. Yes, this seems to be Anand’s forte and he
seems to revel in the same with the same gaiety that a young child would do
when he opens this first bottle of water.
Nonetheless I do tend to digress and talk about other things
(like the author eh!). This review is about the book and less about the author,
so here I go.
Narration: This
is the part that holds the readers interest together and this is where even
renowned writers and authors falter. I was expecting more or less the same with
this book. To my utter surprise, the narration pleasantly stumped me with its
pace, lack of verbosity (yes its quite precise on most occasions while on very
few choosing to play with as many words as there can be, kind of similar to God
of small things by Arundhati Roy’esque description, now we can pardon if it
happens on a handful of occasions, right!) and clear depiction and description.
Plot: This is the
premise on which the book is written and how so ever good the description, if
the plot gives away too much or a little too less then in both the cases the
readers loose interest and the critics unleash the dogs on the poor writer. A
delicate balance it must have. Again, this is an area where Anand’s work ‘Ajaya’
doesn’t disappoint. Although a story which has been told in thousands of
different ways over the last several years can’t have much as a plot thought my
reckless mind only to be again overwhelmed (if you may call it that) by this
book here.
All in all you will find plenty of reviews that will point
you to what this book is about. I donont want to spoil the party when you pick
this up for yourself. However, what I would like to echo is that this is a book
that tells Kaurava’s side of the story. Who was Duryodhan? Was he unfit to
rule? Who was Krishna, really a God? Who was Karna, really a person who would
not say no to a person who would ask for something from him? Why did Drona
choose to be what he was like? Etc etc.
This book has a lot of questions and you will find answers
to some, not all and it is on the reader to decide whether he will believe what
is written. In any case I am sure that the reader would not be disappointed,
especially if he likes to dabble in folklore, mythology, fiction and magic.
Overall, the book is an interesting and a must read. I am
eagerly waiting for the second part of this book.
To sum up, this book is a good read. As always, you read and
decide! My final verdict: 4.5 on 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment