Urnabhih by Sumedha Verma Ojha

Mandar's book review (17th Dec 2015)

"Urnabhih" by Sumedha Verma Ojha. This book is published by IndiaInc in 2014 and has 351 pages. This is author's debut novel.

Chandragupta Maurya, under guidance of Chanakya, has taken over Pataliputra in a bloodless coup. Chandragupta is going to be married to daughter of Dhananada. Chanakya employees Misrakesi, a ganika, in his Gupt Varangana Sena as a spy.

Is this a temporary assignment or there's more? Can Misrakesi be faithful to Maurya's? How does she prosper? Does she encounter ghost? Is there a man in her life? What is her ambition? Does she succeed?

What is the meaning of Urnabhih? Urnabhih means spider's web, a web of deceit and deception. An apt title for a spy story.

It is a story set at the rise of Mauryan empire. It's a story of spies and espionage. It's the story of rich and opulent. It's a story of politics. It's a story of human emotions and love. It's a story set centuries ago. It's interesting. It's intriguing. It's complex. It's exotic and its bold.

Sumedha Verma Ojha is a Switzerland based Indian author. She has done a commendable job, this being her first novel. Her writing style is good. Narration is interesting. You smell and taste the atmosphere.

The question that obviously came to my mind was 'Why name the heroin Misrakesi?'. There are so many minor characters with beautiful names, but the heroin had a very unglamorous name.

Author has given three maps. One of Mauryan empire, one of Pataliputra and one of Sugaang Prasad (Royal palace) to help readers understand the movements. However more than half the story happens out if the city.

It's a big book in terms of number of pages as well as it's page size, add to it small font and you have a big book to read. Holding it for long time while reading tires your hands. The paper quality is not good, print impressions can be seen on the reverse side of the page.

Full marks to the author for a good entertaining book. Good news is that there will be a sequel.

A very good book. Recommend reading.

The steradian trail by M.N. Krish

"The steradian trail" by M.N. Krish. This book is published by Westland Ltd in 2013 and has ~356 pages. This is Book 0 of The infinity cycle.

Joshua, a professor at MIT, has developed a new fast shortest path algorithm based on Sulba sutra, the ancient Indian scriptures. He is on tour of India visiting his friend Prof. Lakshman in Madras. His assistant, Jeffery, is murdered and leaves a clue before dying.

Who killed Jeffery? Why was he killed? Who killed him? What was the clue? Where will it lead?

The story takes place in Tamilnadu. It starts with an algorithm, them moves to ancient Indian scriptures like Sulba sutra and then moved on to the brilliant mathematician Ramanujan and his work.

The story is narrated well, it has a good pace. It contains a number of clues from the life of Ramanujan, who was one of the most talented mathematicians and who has done work in his short life of 32 years that is still being studied and decoded.

It's a different kind of thriller where action and surprises are not the only tricks used by the author. He has used a number of mathematical concepts like Shortest path algorithm, Traveling Salesman Problem, P Vs NP Problem for the story.

Characterization is good. Joshua, Lakshman, Divya, Venus, Durai etc are clearly defined.

The book leaves some things open like what was Jeffery's coded message? What happened to the pages from diary of Ramanuja's wife? Probably left for the sequel.

Since this is Book 0 of infinity series, we can expect more books by the author with same characters.

A good book. Recommend reading.

The great war of Hind by Vaibhav Anand

"The great war of Hind" by Vaibhav Anand. This book is published by Shrishti Publishers and distributors in Feb 2015 and has 184 pages.

The story is set in 1205 B.C. The world is divided into seven countries. Parbat for Gods, Lunka for demons and Ayodh, Persis, Kurd, Sur, Nipalaya and Ga for humans. Monkeys reside in some of these countries. General Ramm is military general of King Vikramadetya of Ayodh and is having affair with princess Janaki. There is a pact for years that man will not fight man. The pact is broken and Ayodh is under attack.

Who breaks the pact? Who sides with Ayodh? Who is Hanohman? Why Gods interfere? What is Irony of Shiva? What will General Ramm do? What will be the outcome of war?

Although the book is titled 'The great war of Hind' most of the book is the build up to the war and initial battles / skirmishes. Actual war takes less than 20 pages. I expected more page space for the war.

Author has tried his best to develop the characters, but it seems he fell short of page space to develop them properly. Thus there are some things that remain unexplained like how did Ramm and Janaki meet, why Vikramadetya believes that no one will attack, how Hanohman can read the skies? Why revelation dawns on Ramm in the heat of battle? etc.

Author has used characters from history and mythology to create an entirely different world. Although this novel uses a number of historical references, it is historically anachronistic. Here Ramm is 20 years older than Ravan, Dashrath is Janaki's forefather, Adum comes before Ramm, Janak is Janaki's grandfather, Raam is military general without a lineage, Sanjay is the chronicler of war at the time of Ramm.

Author has written a good decently paced novel. The narration is good. It's full of surprises. Readers get a big shock towards the end when Ramm's secret is revealed. What's it?

Although it's a book about Ramm, there is no war with Ravan in this book. That is saved for the sequel or sequels.

Subsequent books, whenever they come, should take us through Ramm Ravan war. What twist would there be? Guess we will have to wait.

This is a very different book. Recommend reading.

Capitalism: A ghost story by Arundhati Roy

"Capitalism: A ghost story" by Arundhati Roy. This book is published by Haymarket books in 2014 and has 128 pages. It's a collection of her essays on various topics.

'Capitalism a ghost story' is an essay on the theme: Capitalism is destroying planet. Author sees corporate philanthropy as a ploy. She criticizes the use or misuse of foundations funded by corporations to further business interests. Tata and Ambani group seem to be on her hit list. She blames upper class communist leadership for the rift between dalits and communists viz Bhimrao Ambedkar and S.A. Dange.

'I'd rather not be Anna' is an essay about Anna Hazare where author says that his means may be Gandhian but demands are certainly not, because Gandhiji's ideas were about decentralization of power and Jan Lokpal bill is a draconian anti corruption law. She questions why Anna did not talk about a number of other issues?

'Dead men talking' is an essay about government's persecution of troublesome news gatherers and disseminators i.e journalists. She quoted examples of  deportation of US radio-journalist David Barsamian and Prof Richard Shapiro. Harassment of Gautam Navlakha, Lingram Kodopi, Himanshu Kumar, Kartana Joga etc.

In 'Kashmir's fruits for discord' she voices her controversial opinion about Kashmir, insurgency and atrocities by armed forces.

In 'A perfect day for democracy' she actually says that Afzal Guru, who was hanged for Parliament Attack, was innocent. Is she challenging the courts?

In 'Consequences of hanging Afzal Guru' she, unbelievably, says that by executing Guru government of India has taken a decision to fuel process of destabilization and invited it in. Laughable argument!

In 'Speech to the people's university' she spells what she wants and enumerates her demands.

The book contains appalling revelations about the oppression of poor by the rich, mineral war in central India and government atrocities. She also throws light on the nexus between government, businessmen, institutions and NGOs.

Interesting perspective is that big businesses are trying to alter public opinion, notably of middle class, by sponsoring literary fests, magazines, competitions etc. The question is: Is it possible to change opinion of middle class by these measures? Is the middle class so naive or simply ignorant?

The observations and arguments made by author range from studious, insightful, thoughtful, hypocritical, provocative and laughable. She presents only one side.

Author is known for her left leaning. She avoids commenting on failure of communism world wide. The book does not contain any introspection. Author keeps complaining and accusing the people in power without suggesting solutions or alternatives. She complains about right wing, center, left wing politicians, establishment, businessmen, rich and activists. In short almost everyone. Thus author's tirade against capitalism comes out as a rant against the business houses, institutions funded by them, NGOs and cry about the suppression of poor and 'innocent communists'.

The book was written in 2014, before the general elections in India. Author has predicted the outcome of elections confidently. Needless to say that each of her prediction turned out to be wrong.

Read for nuggets of information, ignore the laughable arguments.

Career of evil by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling

"Career of evil" by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling. The book is published by Little brown book group in Oct 2015 and has 512 pages. This is Book 3 of Cormoran Strike series.

An unknown person sends a severed leg of a young girl to Strike and Robin. A lot of media attention comes their way due to Strike's fame and because he is an amputee. Strike identifies four possible suspects from his past, who may have a grudge. Body of the girl, owner of severed leg, is found. Investigation begins.

Why a leg is sent to Strike? What is the final objective? Who is behind this? Will Robin marry her long time boy friend finally? What is career of evil?

The big difference in this book, as compared to previous two, is that here the investigation becomes personal rather than professional. The answers lie in Strike's past.

The story is slow. Little happens in long stretches. Strike and Robin investigate there suspects based on Strike's hunch without an iota of evidence. Thus the book becomes a wild goose chase. It's monotonous. Readers continue to read only because they want to know who the killer is. And eventually when the killer is revealed, the clue lies in a photo.

Robin's upcoming marriage is on the verge of collapse. Why? Is there a hint of romance between Strike and Robin? Well this question remains in the minds of readers since Book 1, but again goes unanswered. In fact when the book ends, readers still wonder if Robin has married her fiancé or not. Would be clear in next book.

With every new book of the series, the quality of this series deteriorates. I have liked each next book less and less. Will I read next book of Cormoran Strike series? Probably not. Anyway, I will definitely not buy it.

Author has used titles of songs of American rock band, from 1970's, Blue Öyster cult as title of the chapters. But the relevance of the band to the story is flimsy.

I expected much more from J.K. Rowling.

Avoid.

The great war of Hind by Vaibhav Anand

"The great war of Hind" by Vaibhav Anand. This book is published by Shrishti Publishers and distributors in Feb 2015 and has 184 pages.

The story is set in 1205 B.C. The world is divided into seven countries. Parbat for Gods, Lunka for demons and Ayodh, Persis, Kurd, Sur, Nipalaya and Ga for humans. Monkeys reside in some of these countries. General Ramm is military general of King Vikramadetya of Ayodh and is having affair with princess Janaki. There is a pact for years that man will not fight man. The pact is broken and Ayodh is under attack.

Who breaks the pact? Who sides with Ayodh? Who is Hanohman? Why Gods interfere? What is Irony of Shiva? What will General Ramm do? What will be the outcome of war?

Although the book is titled 'The great war of Hind' most of the book is the build up to the war and initial battles / skirmishes. Actual war takes less than 20 pages. I expected more page space for the war.

Author has tried his best to develop the characters, but it seems he fell short of page space to develop them properly. Thus there are some things that remain unexplained like how did Ramm and Janaki meet, why Vikramadetya believes that no one will attack, how Hanohman can read the skies? Why revelation dawns on Ramm in the heat of battle? etc.

Author has used characters from history and mythology to create an entirely different world. Although this novel uses a number of historical references, it is historically anachronistic. Here Ramm is 20 years older than Ravan, Dashrath is Janaki's forefather, Adum comes before Ramm, Janak is Janaki's grandfather, Raam is military general without a lineage, Sanjay is the chronicler of war at the time of Ramm.

Author has written a good decently paced novel. The narration is good. It's full of surprises. Readers get a big shock towards the end when Ramm's secret is revealed. What's it?

Although it's a book about Ramm, there is no war with Ravan in this book. That is saved for the sequel or sequels.

Subsequent books, whenever they come, should take us through Ramm Ravan war. What twist would there be? Guess we will have to wait.

This is a very different book. Recommend reading.

Shikhandi: and other tales they don't tell you by Devdutt Pattanaik

"Shikhandi: and other tales they don't tell you" by Devdutt Pattanaik. This book is published by Penguin books Ltd. in 2014 and has 179 pages.

This is a non fiction dedicated to queerness. Author has used tales from mythology to educate the readers to the fact that queerness is not a recent concept but existed since many centuries. The book is divided in two parts. First part is author's commentary about queer behaviors and second part consists of tales from mythology.

Author does not limit the definition of queerness only to homosexuality, lesbianism, androgynous, cross dressing or hermaphrodites but also to Amazons, transgendered, intersexed, cross dressers, hijras, animals born of two different species, abnormal births etc. He enumerates that queerness is present in mythologies of Hindu, Buddhist, Persian, Viking, North American tribes, Aztec, Artic regions, Cuba, China, Japan and Egypt. He poses questions that would make many uncomfortable. He says that this book is celebration of queerness.

Author uses very powerful poetry to start second section. It goes like this:
'All things queer are not sexual, All things sexual are not reproductive, All things reproductive are not romantic, All things romantic are not queerless.'

The stories include that of Shikhandi who was a female in previous birth, Mahadev who became a woman to deliver his devotee's child, Mohini - an avatar of Vishnu, Kali who became a man, Urvashi who was born of no woman, Bhagirath who was born of two women, Arjun and Indra who were temporarily castrated, Bheema and Krishna and Samba who wore woman's cloths, Narad who forgot he was a man, Shiva the Ardhanarishwar and many more. These stories are quoted from Mahabharata, Lores, Yog Vashishta, Puranas, Oral traditions, Ramayan etc. However Mahabharata dominates the stories.

Author argues that in devotional traditions (भक्ती संप्रदाय), God takes male as well as female form for the devotee. These queer stories are not sexual but they do challenge notions of gender.

The stories are short and laced with commentary. Author has done a lot of study of literature from various parts of India and in various languages. He has made good use of it to advocate his point.

Although it contains many stories, all of them are so short that you don't get to enjoy the story. Stories are used more as an evidence in this book than enjoyment. By a bit of elaboration book could have become more interesting.

It is a bold topic to choose for a book. Queerness is still considered taboo in India. To write a book and expect it to sell is courageous. What's even more interesting is that the book is published in collaboration with Zubaan, an organization dedicated to publishing feminist literature.

One may ask what is the significance of book title to content? Well, the story of Shikhandi occupies only a couple of pages. The title of this book is thus a misnomer but it serves the purpose of attracting and enticing the readers to read it.

Read it if you don't mind the subject, but not a must read.

Sambhala: The journey begins by Shariful Hasan

"Sambhala: The journey begins" by Shariful Hasan, translated from Bengali and adapted by Arindam Mukherjee. This book is published by Grapevine India in 2014 and has 295 pages.

An old man starts behaving strangely in a village in Bangladesh. The cult of Lucifer is after a book in Dacca. Rashed, a college going youngster is suspected of murder. Nicolas Carson, a famous archeologist is searching for Count of St Germain.

Are these incidents related? What is the relation? What is the legend of Sambhala? What is the secret?

Sambhala (शम्भल) is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in inner Asia. Vishnupuran (विष्णु पुराण) mentions it as birthplace of Kalki. Gradually it came to be seen as Buddhist pure land. This book has the legend of Sambhala as the theme.

There are few legends in Indian mythology. This is one of the few used to write a fiction. Although it's Indian mythology and it's a Hindu and Buddhist legend, the story takes place in Muslim country of Bangladesh. That's mainly because the author is Bangladeshi. Elixer of life is a most sought and never achieved mirage in human history. The book deals with this subject.

Writer has an elaborate writing style. He uses all the words he needs to convey the point without worrying about the length. But the book does not become uninteresting. Characterization is proper except for the character of Arfin, who undergoes change of personality for no apparent reason. Majid's necessity to kill innocent people is also uncalled for.

Author's idea of a character that lives very long and tries to alter the course of history of mankind for good, sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing, is fascinating.

The book turns out to be an eventual anti climax because story never goes to Sambhala. That is left for the sequel. So although book is good, reader is disappointed. Why name it Sambhala?

The book looks small, but it isn't. It uses a small font. With normal font another 70-100 pages would have been added.

Arindam has done a good job of translation and adaptation. The sequels of original Bengali book are a big success. Don't know if English translations are available.

Read it for a change or if you want to read the sequel, whenever it's available.