The Mahabharata Secret
by
Christopher Doyle
Genre: Fiction - Historical Thriller.
386 Pages, Om Books International.
Available in Different formats.


Most readers of my blog may be aware of the Indian epic,  Mahabharata. It is like 1000 stories in one, all inter connected and in which Bhagavad Gita is a part - the philosophical treatise which most Indians know about but do not follow. But then, this is India, so you cannot expect anything else!  So, what is the secret ? That is what I thought when I began this book. But I never expected Emperor Ashoka to make his appearance in the first few pages or that it would be a fast paced terrorist thriller that takes us through little known parts of India especially Bihar. I mean Rajasthan and Delhi where the author lives was okay but Bihar?

This book does two things. It flits back and fro through history, from Emperor Ashoka's times to the present and in between. It flits across South Asia and then inside India but more importantly, it reminds most people of South Asia about the Buddhist past of the region which lasted for around 2000 years, which is never taught in schools as if it never existed at all.

From the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan to the ramparts of Rajasthani forts, from scientists turned terrorists of the Lakshar -e- Taiba to the hunting for clues in Ashoka pillars in Bihar, the author masterfully weaves a story of intrigue, action, puzzles and reminders of the buried past.

I purposely read it in bits because I wanted to savour the feeling of eating a delicious meal  multiple times. The style is crisp and the tone is clear.The ending didn't leave me sated but Christopher Doyle, thank you for a much needed historical thriller.

To think this debut novel in 2013 has received so little attention was shocking.


If you feel I had still not told you what the secret is, I ask you to read the book. Buy it here


© Deepa Kandaswamy, All rights reserved.

The Immortals of Meluha

The Immortals of Meluha

 by Amish Tripathi

415 pages, Westland publishers.

Available in multiple formats.

Buy the book here

Skeptically, I picked up “The Immortals of Meluha” because the author was unknown to me and the title was nuts. Meluha? Huh? Also, there was so much hype about how great it was from friends and the fact that it is the first book in a "Shiva" trilogy, made me wonder - was this guy trying to sell religion as fiction? Dan Brown tactics ??? I was so wrong as this is the complete opposite of Dan Brown except for the fast paced action.

You have to know that I didn't read the book even when its sequels  were Indian bestsellers and especially since my relative stood in line, so she could buy the third and final book. I was a little distressed as this is the sort of madness I try to avoid.

But I was hooked from the first line. 

Spanning from the mountains in Tibet and Kashmir down to the forests in India, the author weaves a magical tale of a man named Shiva.The author, Amish Tripathi is not just imaginative but makes you think, why not? It is based on the simple premise that if so called Gods are truly men, how would they react to situations ? Why do we treat people who are unlike people we know, differently ? Is "culture" sacrosanct? Why do we call some disabled and treat them abnormally? Is it fair? To what extent can we go to create a meritorious society even though we completely ignore the economic circumstances that a person comes from? Why are people from developing countries always in awe of the developed world?

The author, using the ideal approach in fiction he brings to life – the places, situations and characters. Sound in physics and medicine, he makes you wonder if it is fact or fiction especially since it is fiction! The style is unique. I was so impressed, I read the sequels right away – The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras.

It is amazing Tripathi is able to write so well and still remain unknown to the rest of the world while truly silly books have made it to the NYT bestseller list! If you wish to curl up and read, this is one novel, you just cannot miss this summer. 

Turn of the Century

Turn of the Century 2100

By Charlie Pedersen

448 pages, Outskirts Press

Price varies depending on format

Genre: Fiction/ Sci-Fi Thriller

ISBN: 1-59800-329-1

This is not just another science fiction book. It is different for four reasons. One, the characters don’t follow stereotypes, are multidimensional and strong, especially the female characters. Two, it is a global thriller laced with humor which combines genres of romance, espionage, science, fantasy, adventure and suspense. Three, apart from being informative and inspiring, this brilliant book tries to address and attempt to provide real solutions to contemporary issues plaguing today’s society on a global scale. Four, it makes you  think about the state of affairs at the turn of our century ( 21^st) and wonder if we are squandering away the possibilities of a fabulous future, individually and globally because of our state of denial.

The story goes something like this – Alyson Higgs and her team who are particle physicists working in a Berkeley lab are visited by a photon probe from the year 2108. This happens simultaneously across 13 nations across the globe. The unmanned probe has a message from scientists from 2108 essentially from our great, great grandchildren. It contains warnings of our immediate future, and provides five oracles, which could save humanity from destroying itself and them (great, great grandchildren). What happens? Read to find out.  

Many readers might wonder, if the probe is from the future then humanity wasn’t exterminated, right? Then, why send a message at all?  This is where Pedersen proves he is a talented author. He manages to explain complex science concepts in simple language that even a child can understand. Pedersen has worked on the Apollo Lunar module and his career includes different fields like finance, aerospace and information technology. This is the first book to come with its own soundtracks, with lyrics and music composed by the author. The book is available in various formats like hardcover, paperback, e-book, CD, audio book and even on USB memory stick. 

This book is a necessary read for people from all professions. 

Support and Defend by Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy Support and Defend

By Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney

386 pages, varies with format, Putnam (Penguin) Publishers

Genre : Fiction (Action Thriller)

Are whistleblowers really the good guys or just idiots with a mistaken sense of doing good while they have no real idea of what they are doing? When there is a worldwide call for more transparency and people say no to unauthorized tapping of phone calls by the US govt. of allies, does it really help or hurt ordinary people? If terrorists caught hold of whistleblowers, what do we do? You’ll get answers to these and much more in this latest NYT bestseller.

An ex-IDF officer retired in India trains Dominic Caruso, a member of a shadowy American intelligence organization when the officer and his family are murdered by suicide bombers while Caruso escapes barely alive. Brimming with vengeance, Caruso returns to America only to be caught up in a bigger plot and every time the reader thinks they know the answer, the plot gets even more complicated. I would advise the reader to stop guessing and just go with the flow as the novel is like a delightfully tasty meal. Once you pick up this book, you cannot put it down.

From Kochi, India to the power corridors of the White House, from the jungles in Panama to the snowy mountains of Switzerland, the story moves across three continents and constantly reminds you of Edward Snowden. Greaney seems to have written the character Ethan Ross based on Edward Snowden while making readers wonder and speculate if Julian Assange is Gianna Bertoli, ITP is Transparency International, etc. It seems a little too familiar which would lead you to speculate about who is who. This is one aspect of the novel which all readers will be put through – a guessing game absent in all other novels of this genre by different authors.

After the untimely and mysterious death of Tom Clancy, this book keeps his memory alive and Dominic Caruso is a fantastic protagonist. Having co-authored a few books with the late Tom Clancy, Greaney has proved he is the official protégé of Tom Clancy,  with this wonderfully quick, fast paced, page turner that would be worthy of being a Tom Clancy original though this has been co-authored. Miss you Clancy and thanks Greaney.

Ensure you have enough uninterrupted time, curl up on a sofa with this book and enjoy.

Rumi's forty rules of love

Many have  heard Elif Shafak speak on TED and become inspired but not many read this book

The Forty Rules of Love

by Elif Shafak

229 Pages, Penguin Group

Genre: Fiction

Ella Rubinstein, a loving mother of three and wife for forty years files for divorce suddenly after she reads a manuscript called "Sweet Blasphemy" by A.A. Zahara sent to the literary agency where she works. Is it possible to fall in love via email, so much so that you are willing to risk it all? What triggers Ella who leaves her husband and grown up children and her comfortable home, family and friends – to leave everything and everyone and move out of her comfort zone though she still loves them? What are the forty rules of love? Elif Shafak asks and answers these questions and much more in her beautifully written novel, "The Forty Rules of Love."

From Baghdad of the 13th century to Massachusetts of the 21st century, the author flits in and out narrating a wonderful tale that holds true for today. As readers, we are made to realize not much has changed in 800 years in the mental makeup of the people of the world. In fact, we need the forty rules of love now more than ever as religiosity and spirituality are assumed to be the same when it is not.

Elif Shafak is a Turkish American author. Her writing style is smart as the story is narrated with a varying pace – it slows down when you need to reflect and picks up speed when you wish to learn what happened next! It is almost like the author is there helping you as you read her book. The multiple points of view of the characters doesn’t confuse the reader and works to advance the story providing insights that are unique. 

This is an inspiring book for all people from any part of the world as it breaks down barriers and brings in better understanding. I cannot think of a better way to start the New Year except by reading this book.

© 2014 by Deepa Kandaswamy

To buy the book go here  

I am Malala

The Noble Prize winner who is talked about a lot but whose book many didn't read - so here is the review

I am Malala: The Girl who stood up for Education and was shot by the Taliban
By Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb.
320 pages, Orion Publishing Group
Available in different formats.
Genre: Non-fiction

Are you aware of the struggle a girl has to go through in North West Frontier Province of Pakistan to get an education? Why was Malala shot? Who exactly are the Taliban? What do you know of Swat valley and the people who live in it? These are some of the questions asked and answered by Ms. Yousafzai in her amazing book, I am Malala.

From a child seated on the lap of her father listening to him and his friends talking politics and education in the Swat Valley before the Taliban to being operated in a hospital in Birmingham, to grilling Pakistan General Kayani about why the army was unsuccessful in capturing Fazlullah to being just a teenager in school who is competitive in class and enjoying picnics with her friends, the narrative of Malala spans decades of political history intermixed with her story laced with humor. It is hard to believe she is just 16 years old as the penmanship is that of a mature political analyst who understands what is going on and is trying her best to explain it to others. Maybe this is because of co-author Christina Lamb who is a veteran journalist covering Pakistan and Afghanistan for decades. Most importantly, it is amazing to see what she has gone through for education and will definitely inspire school drop outs, to think again as many take education for granted in other countries. Throughout the book, her fearless attitude towards the Taliban and her love for her parents shines through, especially for her father.

The style of writing is no nonsense but the prologue sets the mood and tone for the rest of the book as even the most hardened person on Earth will be moved by it. The book's title is Malala's answer to the Taliban. The book is insightful, informative rich with history but more importantly tells the story of a people whose story has not been read and puts a face to people who are just termed "Pashtuns" and to places "Swat Valley" and "North West Frontier Province" which are subjected to American drone attacks. She even explains why Pashtuns don't say thank you as it is just a phrase and they believe kindness should be reciprocated through action and not just words.

Malala Yousafzai is clear about what she wants - education for all but more importantly has a vision for the future of Pakistan and hope she gets to go back and fulfill it as she is no flash in the pan and is a world figure to contend with in the years to come. I truly believe if there is anyone in the world who can defeat the Taliban, it is this girl and girls like her in Pakistan. A must read book.

© 2013 by Deepa Kandaswamy

Buy her books here  

Back again with a Vengance

Hi, it has been years since I posted on this blog. Life caught up meanwhile :)

And the Mountains Echoed
By Khaled Hosseni
216 pages
Genre - Fiction



What would you have done if as a child, you were forcefully separated from the only person you truly loved? How would you react if the people who caused the separation were your own father and uncle? Would you look for the person you lost when you grew up? Would you even remember as you were only a child yourself when the separation happened? Khaled Hosseni asks and answers this and much more in his beautifully crafted novel, “And the Mountains Echoed.”
From the villages of pre-Taliban Afghanistan to the romantic streets of Paris during the hippie days, from a small island in Greece to the sunny restaurants in California, Hosseni tells a powerful story of love and fear, expectation and hope that spans over 60 years in the life of Pari and Abdullah, and through them the ordinary Afghan people and all the others who came into Afghanistan during that time.
The style of writing is simple, elegant, straightforward and unpredictably beautiful. The multiple points of view used works to the advantage as the author slips easily from the Afghan to the Greek, man to woman effortlessly. What is extremely uncanny is it is as if Hosseini can read the soul and mind of a woman! Momentarily, you forget the author is a man until his male characters begin to speak as the story moves forward. The narrator catches you by surprise at every turn at the same time shows the emotional vulnerability of the characters that kills the stereotype most of us use when we think of Afghans and Afghanistan. It also tears apart the stereotype the media feeds us with about Muslims and NATO workers in Afghanistan.
The book is extremely insightful and makes the reader emotionally vulnerable to the various characters and not just one, a rare feat performed with a lack of drama that almost borders on humility that makes this book outstanding. A highly recommended read if only for the simple reason it makes you more humane.

© 2013 by Deepa Kandaswamy

Buy the book here