Book Review: Jambudvipa

Historical fiction is one of the genres that has developed at speed because of the talented writers and their writing efforts. With the right flavor of mythology, the work becomes a reading experience that the readers enjoy from the moment they lay their hands on the book. Every work is a magnum opus in itself and has a thorough potential to keep readers attracted and engrossed in the narrative from cover to cover. Arpit Bharat’s debut work, “Jambudvipa: The drift of Bodhidharma,” is an example that be quoted to be never forgotten in this regard. Bharat’s work is a product of the author’s thorough research and ability to mould historical content in the frame of fiction and present it to the readers gracefully and fascinatingly.

As “Jambudvipa” begins, the readers can find the traces of history and the events that have influenced human civilization and what bears the fragment of history effortlessly. On this canvas, Bharat develops characters that are blended with characteristics of both fiction and reality, and the frequent narrative shifts make sure that they stand out as individual personalities. Every event described leaves lasting impressions on the readers’ minds, and the presence of an omniscient narrator also brushes up the readers' facts. Through his debut work, Bharat gives a potent introduction of his skills as a writer and as his ability to form fictional content out of facts and information available to him.

The readers who are interested in reading fictional work with a blend of history and mythology can pick Bharat’s “Jambudvipa” without any second thoughts and be assured of the promising writer that he would be even for his future work. Along with a well-constructed plot that develops at its own pace, the readers are also likely to find the impressive growth of the character of Vasantsena and also witness how she is a clear example of a round character. With frequent references to characters created in other mythological books, Bharat’s work stands next to the greats who already are the spearheads of this genre in literary writing.

Book Review: The Demons of Jaitraya

Indian mythology and epics are rich with diversity and many loopholes for artists to create marvels and write works that would spark the readers' interest right from their titles. “The Demons of Jaitraya” by Shubira Prasad is an example that can be mentioned here. As intense as the title, equally exceptional is the book cover. The readers are instantly attracted to the book and are prompted to read it at once.

Prasad constructs a world that is an offspring of the post-Ramayan war scenario. The characters are shown to live their lives in the present day, and with a touch of destiny, they acquire their destined roles when the time calls for it. The readers get engrossed in “The Demons of Jaitraya” the moment they begin reading the prologue. Prasad’s style is characteristic of the dreaminess of the plot and making the readers more and more enthusiastic. It also has an air of divinity that pervades the atmosphere of the book from the first page itself. She resorts to frequent shifts of narratives and swings the dialogues between the first and third person as per the requirement of the text. This frequent change of narratives also shifts the positions of the readers where at one time they are directly involved in the action, and the next moment, they are distant.

“The Demons of Jaitraya” is likely to appeal instantly to people who are fond of mythological reading and also those who intend to venture into this booming genre of Indian literary writing. Prasad creates a unique space for herself due to the language that she uses and the patience with which she builds the fabric of the book. She takes time in building up the characters and also share minute details that would otherwise slip from the observation of the readers. The lives of people, how things change for the better, how these changes bring out the necessary changes in human beings, and how time chisels the hidden qualities of human beings would be some of the basic observations of the readers. Apart from this, another observable characteristic of the work is the naming of the chapters. Prasad keeps the titles short and crisp, and even if they say everything, there is a lot hidden to be unveiled. It also shows the research and homework the author did before giving words to her thoughts. The readers are likely to remain engaged throughout the book and would only want to keep coming back to reread the book. 

Book Review: Unmarry Me

Human emotions have always been a complex realm of exploration and explaining for even specialists in the field. Many writers have attempted to give words to the most complex feelings, and in the process, they created marvels that can never be forgotten. “Unmarry Me” by Vani Kabir is a book perhaps one of its kind, which focuses on life being merely a combination of black and white and everything else oscillating somewhere in between it. The cover of the book is an accurate introduction to this thought.

As simple as the title sounds, equally complicated are the different states of mind that the author has explored in the book. Somewhere in between writing poetry, she creates a poetic style of her own, which sometimes takes the shape of prose or merely a few lines. This book is like a counseling session that presents challenging situations every person may have gone through and can instantly relate to. To solidify her thoughts about strength and courage, the author uses illustrations that only depict that nothing is unconquerable; the only requirement is of the desire and intention to make better things happen. Many people are unable to give words or express the emotional states they have. This book can be beneficial to them and can counsel them through the healing process. Hence, there is no need to recommend “Unmarry Me” to any particular category of readers. Even readers of non-fiction can try reading this book due to the honesty it shows and dares to show the reality on the face of it.