Book Review: The Krishna Key

Title : The Krishna Key
Author : Ashwin Sanghi
Published : by Westland Ltd
Pages : 464
Price : Rs. 250/-

Book Summary : 

Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age—the Kaliyug. 

In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. 

Only, he is a serial killer. 

In this heart-stopping tale, the arrival of a murderer who executes his gruesome and brilliantly thought-out schemes in the name of God is the first clue to a sinister conspiracy to expose an ancient secret—Krishna’s priceless legacy to mankind. 

Historian Ravi Mohan Saini must breathlessly dash from the submerged remains of Dwarka and the mysterious lingam of Somnath to the icy heights of Mount Kailash, in a quest to discover the cryptic location of Krishna’s most prized possession. From the sand-washed ruins of Kalibangan to a Vrindavan temple destroyed by Aurangzeb, Saini must also delve into antiquity to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice. Ashwin Sanghi brings you yet another exhaustively researched whopper of a plot, while providing an incredible alternative interpretation of the Vedic Age that will be relished by conspiracy buffs and thriller-addicts alike. 

My Review :

The first thing I would like to emphasize here is that the book will seem so much like a Dan Brown work but nevertheless it is excellently written making me want to grab the earlier two books written by Ashwin Sanghi. The Krishna Key starts as a thriller and murder mystery and progresses towards a more philosophical end. There is a lot of hardwork and research that has been put into bringing this book together. It’s a marvelous fast paced book that keeps you glued to it. The Krishna key is a very different kind of book, with two differrent but similar stories running parallel to each other and at times are interconnected to each other as well. Some people who love action or excitement filled ending may find the ending of this one not that impressive. Every chapter starts with a paragraph of Krishna's life, which was very helpful for a person like me who doesn't know much about Krishna. There are a few printing mistakes which could have been avoided. The author could have worked a bit more towards character development in order to help the reader put a face on each name that appeared. The story takes so many twists and turns and you really need to be focused so as to not lose the grip so ensure you have ample of time with very less disturbances or breaks. The use of pictures and images, enhances the reading experience at the same time indulges you into the story. But it is one in all a good read and recommended as well. For people who are into ancient history and love thrills and knowledgeable books this is highly recommended. My rating would be a 3.5 on 5 for this one. 

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Book Review : Confessionally Yours

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I had no clue how this book would be and had picked it up on impulse but now I don't regret it. I was glued to the book to know what happens next and next and next before I knew I had finished reading and it left me thinking... The author has wonderfully created characters in this intense feminine story with a little humor a little sarcasm and a little bit of reality.

The way the story shapes up, from Polly being a pushover to a strong person if very interesting. This book stands out as a good one time read. 

Book Review : The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk

The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk....by Sudha Murthy, I was so excited to see the book on my library shelf...picked it up and rushed home to start on it straight away....for those who dont know I love all of Sudha Murthy's books and her writing. It is a pleasure reading her simple yet meaningful stories.

This book has stories from her real life experience and one can learn lessons from it too....most of her stories are such. The book is a collection of 23 short stories, the title being one of the stories.

I really cant pick a favourite one cause all of them are lovely. The way Sudha Murthy writes all of her stories are so interesting and this one is a real treat with life lessons and incidents where we all would feel that we have come across similar situations. In today's fast moving world where Morales and Values take a backseat this book kind of tones you down and helps you looks at life in a different yet meaningful way.

Highly recommended without doubt....suitable for all age :)

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In the Sea there are Crocodiles by Fabia Geda is a true story of an Afghan boy, Enaiatollah Akbari's journey in search of safety....in search of home. Fabio Geda is an Italian novelist who works with children in difficulties. He writes for several Italian magazines and newspapers, and teaches creative writing in the most famous Italian school of storytelling (Scuola Holden, in Turin). This is his first book to be translated into English.

When Enaiatollah's village in Afghanistan falls prey to Taliban rule, his mother in desperate attempt to save him from being a slave or worst be killed takes him away across the border into Pakistan but leaves him there all alone to fend for himself after giving him an advice : don't use drugs or weapons, don't cheat, don't steal. 

From here begins Enaiat's heartbreaking journey of pain and torture filled with traffickers, hunger, border patrols, freezing, drowning, casualties, dangerous circumstances where he could almost get killed. He journeys through Iran, Turkey and Greece before he seeks political asylum in Italy at the age of fifteen.

This impressive account will keep you wanting to know more about Enaiat's life. I was quite amazed by the strong determination of the boy to keep moving on and finding safe ground. He was a small boy when his mother left him and at that age to be so smart enough and take life turning decisions is something hard to believe...but it did happen and that what makes this book a great read. An incredible uplifting story which makes you believe that where there is a will there is a way. Highly recommended.

Book Review: The Diary of a Social Butterfly

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This is definitely a light read and will surely lighten up your mood. The book is inspired from the collection of the author’s own columns written for Pakistan’s national weekly, The Friday Times. 

Book Review: Custody by Manju Kapoor

Custody by Manju Kapoor touches the delicate and emotional issue that follows divorce.

Raman and Shagun, a couple with two children have a peaceful life going until Shagun meets Raman's boss Ashok. Raman has to travel constantly being the marketing head and trying to promote his company's products. At the same time his boss and his beautiful wife get involved in a passionate affair leading to Shagun trying to find the meaning of her life. She ask Raman for a divorce and moves out of the house. When Raman refuses a divorce she takes away the only beautiful aspect in his life.....the children.

At the same time somewhere else, Ishita a young divorcee tries to find happiness in her social work. She was divorced and forgotten by her once-so-loving husband because she could not bear a child for the family. She happens to meet Raman and his little daughter and gets attracted towards him to fulfill her desire of having a family and children. She falls in love with his daughter as if she were her own.

Then starts the ugly battle of custody where both the kids are torn apart from each other....their emotional state being confused between two families, two mothers and two countries...

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The writing style of the author is good. This is her second book the first one being Keep the change which I have not yet read. There is nothing much I would like to say about this book only that I didnt enjoy it much as there was nothing new to it.

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Though its a book of few pages the author has not failed to describe every character, every emotion and every place with such beautiful detailing and all this packed into that small little book makes the story very convincing. Being a debut novel for the author Jayanti I must say she has done a good job and this is an excellent read!!! And yes, the title is so apt !!!  :)