So, I am writing a post again after months. All thanks to the Blog Adda's book review program. It’s a beautiful program where they send the books for review to the readers and they are supposed to review the book within ten days of receiving it (demanding these people are, I must say). So without much ado review shuru kiya jae( I do watch that show)First of all I must say that the author Ashwin Sanghi is worth putting your money on. I can bet you that one fine day there will be a book coming out from the author that will grab him fame and mass acceptance. Is this the book? I wish I could say a whole hearted yes, but it isn’t. It has all the ingredients but there is something which doesn’t work. I haven't read the Rozabal Line, but don't bet on me not buying the book.
The story is in the Dan Brown mode in terms of using history as a backdrop or a parallel plot as is the case of Chanakya’s Chants. The story starts with Chandni Gupta while taking the oath of the prime minister of India is shot, while a terribly old man is watching it with rapt attention. This old man is Gangasagar Mishra. He was the person behind the rise of Chandni Gupta as the prime ministerial candidate and probably also the reason behind her winning it.
The parallel story is about the best political brain India has ever seen Chanakya. It was with his backing that Chandragupta Maurya became the ruler of the united Bharat. It was also to avenge the killing of his father by the ruler Dhanananda.
While Mishra was a king maker by choice, Chanakya became one for personal Vendetta.
So what works and what doesn’t? Well the concept was fantastic, with two stories running parallel. The two central characters coming up trumps against similar situations, becomes a little predictable as you read further but they hold up well in the end. The pace of the novel is frantic to its advantage. The dialogues of the present day Chanakya or Mishra are very cheesy. There are lines said by Chanakya which are actually not his and the author has acknowledged that at the end of the book (I didn’t realize that anyways).The author has also been inspired by some recent scams and weaved them into the plot, a nice touch I must say.
The one thing that doesn’t work and probably is the biggest disappointment is the central plot. If you read successful books in this genre, the questions asked in the beginning of the book cannot be answered even after finishing three quarters of the book, here the answer was very predictable.
But that doesn’t mean that the book isn’t readable at all. It is a good book from a very talented author. Pick it up and finish it at your own pace, you will enjoy it.
Footnote:
I must thank Blog Adda for this fantastic opportunity to review the book Chanakya’s Chant. Cheers to more reviews and books.
This review is a part of the Book Reviews by bloggers;Book Reviews Program at http://www.blogadda.com. Participate now to get free books!
