somnath ganguli

Aryavarta chronicles, the trilogy based on the epic mythology, Mahabharata. Mythology , something that exists in many cultures and civilization, and lies somewhere between Facts and Fiction. It's a Belief. Shorn off it's myths and mysteries, it becomes a fiction. That is exactly what this Trilogy is. All the characters, the protagonists, the players are Human , and mundane. As are the time and place. Govinda ( Krishna) is depicted as a Mortal man, an adept warrior, a know all, a politician, some sort of a leader, and.... confused! As are the others in this story. Most of the exchanges between the various characters in the story , in trying to be justifiable and explanatory, and philosophical, ends up being long, implausible, simplistic and rather too convenient. Mahabharata is a complex story of human frailties, strengths, beliefs, of possession and greed, of loyalties and deceit, of arrogance and humility, of benevolence, dominance and chauvinism. It is a story of Individuals and the Society. It incorporates all of possible human traits ,characters, interactions and interdependence. Mahabharata is a story about War, Conflicts, both Within and Without. Complexed by metaphorical and symbolic storytelling. The Aryavarta Chronicles, an attempt at simplifying and demystifying the original Epic - a recent fad and fashion amongst many wannabe Authors and trying to' popularise' the Ancient Mythology, and themselves ,actually pales and turns inconsequential, super superficial, in comparison to the Original. This is certainly not the Introduction to the Mahabharata, and certainly cannot be the first read of the Epic, especially for the new generation. Read it, if you must, like any other penny fiction. And if you don't, you won't miss anything.

Amazing storytelling! A fantasy book for all. A toddler, escaping a man named Jack, a professional killer, to a graveyard. The boy is taken in by the residents of the graveyard, the ghosts and the dead, and fostered by the Mr and Mrs Owens. The boy is nurtured, taught, guided and protected by the graveyard inmates. He learns about Life from the Dead, and from a Nobody ' Bod' Owens, he grows to a youth, graduated for the Living World. Gripping. Fantastic story Neil.