Making a humongous epic, like the Mahabharata into a smaller book is amazing. But does it end up, like the earlier classic is
a task, alright. Well, Aditya Iyengar tries alright, but does not do it too well. The classic retelling of
the story in the voices of Radheya, Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Ghatotkacha and
Sushasana is another story altogether. It deals with another perspective, of
each and every one of these people.
How would they react? How
would everything undergo a change? This book deals with all the endeavours of
these five characters, on the thirteenth night to the fifteenth night. The
Mahabharata war lasted a total of 18 days.
I have never imagined
it like this, at all. I mean I have thought of it, of a few characters, of
course. But I have definitely enjoyed the difference in perspective. Like for
example, Karna or Radheya’s, Sushasana’s or even Ghatotkacha’s. I have always
loved reading about the other perspective, too and this book does provide that,
with a twist.
This is the sequel to ‘The
Thirteenth Day’, which narrated the battle from day 10 to day 13, ending with the
death of Abhimanyu in the 'Chakravyuha'. The cousins at war are now looking to avenge the death of one of its heroes.
One thing about the
book is its attempt to paint its characters as human beings and not heroes or
villains. But also, humanising them. Not as gods, or rakshasas, but human
beings! Because there is a time, when one does empathise and there by sympathise
with the so-called villains, of the Mahabharata.
We will see how it ends…
You can Buy the Book, right here.
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