Narasimha by Kevin Missal

"Narasimha" by Kevin Missal - Not gripping!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2019 and has 320 pages. This is Book 1 of Mahaavtar trilogy. 

Nara was the leader of Simha Tribe (half lion half men) that sided with Deva Tribe against Asura Tribe for control over Illavarti. He comes out of self imposed retirement to save a potent weapon from Andhaka, nephew of Hiranya. Meanwhile, Hiranya is searching for world's greatest weapon. Pralhad is functioning as temporary king when Vishnusena wrecks havoc. 

Why did Narasimha retire? Why did he come back? Which is the greatest weapon? Who is the leader of Vishnusena? What happened to Pashupatastra?

Author has taken the story of Narasimha from mythology and created a story very different from known tale. He has created a new world with Simha tribe, kingdom of Illavarti, the armour etc. Some of these things are contrary to known story like Narad being guru of Asuras, Prahlad being a grown up man etc...

Characterization is decent. Virtuous Nara, deceiving Indra, confused Pralhad, scheming Andhaka, driven Hiranya, meek Narad, cruel Hiloka etc.. Author brings varied characteristics through these characters. Hiranya does not come out as a villain but as one who's situation makes him do things. Objective of characters of Anuhrad, Holika's daughter and her boyfriend remains nebulous. 

The narration is mildly interesting. At times the story slows down and at times things happen too fast. The story does not make you sit on the edge of chair. Reader does not get restless to read remaining book. Dil doesn't mange more.

This is a trilogy and a good amount of story is covered in first book. Is there enough strength left in the story for two more books? Only time will tell. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Attempt

What I didn't like? Execution

Not a must read.

Vimana by Mainak Dhar

"Vimana" by Mainak Dhar. This book is published by Penguin India in 2012 and has 246 pages. It's a mythological science fiction.

Aaditya, who has lost his fighter pilot father to an accident, and lost his leg to another is not comfortable after giving up his ambition of becoming fighter pilot to study commerce. A strange indecent propels him in the world of Devas, Asuras, Daityas and of course Vimanas.

Who are Devas? Who are Asuras & Daityas? Are they real? What's so special about their Vimanas? Is apocalypse around the corner?

The story is a mythological science fiction. It has Devas, Asuras, Daityas and the legend on one hand and advanced technology, Vimanas controlled by thoughts, under water base, super weapons on the other. To add to it there is a plot of a double agent as well.

Narration is good. It keeps you interested. Although it is a science fiction it contains all the plots and counter plots. Some ideas are fantastic, some are mediocre. Climax is not so good. Fallen God Kalki is the obvious villain.

Author has made use of the conspiracy theories about extra terrestrial life, alien abduction and UFO sightings cleverly to explain and reinforce the world he has created.

A good read. Recommend reading.

Asura - The tale of the vanquished by Anand Neelakantan

Mandar's book review                             
"Asura - The tale of the vanquished", by Anand Neelakantan.

This is the story of Ravan, as the title suggests. But it is not Ramayan narrated by Ravan. It is the story of how Ravan became who he was and also includes war with Ram. And it is written in Asura perspective.
                                   
Story is narrated by Ravan and Bhadra (Servent cum advisor cum man friday cum non entity for Ravan). He may be invention of author. The idea, presented in this book, of Asuras being black but cultured and Devas being fair but barbarians is not new for well read. Author has tried to present mythological landmark incidents as they realistically happened e.g. lanka dahan.    

Writing style is factual but little bland in 1st half. Author has covered some major events just by mention rather than making them colourful narratives. Love-loath-hate-pity-trust relationship of Ravan and Bhadra is the soul of the book. Bhadra is participant in all the important events of Ravan's life. Character of Ravan is portrayed as human rather than rakshas. He seems clueless, often enough, to doubt his capabilities. A mere mortal.

Real twist in the tale is the revelation of Ravan-Sita relation and reason for Sita's abduction. It gives a new and unchartered perspective to the story & you start thinking on different lines. The war is good Vs evil, against castesim and untouchability.

Although 1st half of the book is slow and becoms boring at times, 2nd half is gripping. There are twists like Mandodaries abduction, Meghnad's blunders, agni pariksha, Ravan's death, 2nd vanvas to Sita that are presented in Asura perspective. Author binds you till the end. There were 2 incidents in Ramayan that I did not like when I was a child. One was the way Ram killed Vali and other was Sita's agnipariksha. Author has exploited these two incidents very well to put forth his theory.
           
The book is more than 500 pages long and size is larger than pocket book. If it was a pocket book, it might have been close to 800-900 pages. Reading needs time and patience.

At the end you can not help wondering that may be, just may be, it happened like this. History is always written by victors. This is the tale of vanquished told well.

A good read. Recommend reading.