Ever since I finished reading The Krishna Key, I have been wondering why is it a work of fiction. The closest I've got is, "Because Da Vinci Code sold x million copies". But The Krishna Key is much more a book of history and mythology, and more precisely the grey zone between the two interpretational art/science forms, than the latter ever was. In terms of sheer quality of writing and narrative though, even Da Vinci Code was better than this.
Ashwin Sanghi has a reputation of his own, though Krishna Key had come especially recommended. It appeals, I am certain, to a certain reader demographic - the religious, the non-fiction-oholics, the conspiracy theorists. But it manages to sound a bit too contrived, too forced, and by the end too preachy for even a reader like me who likes narratives that try to find a hidden layer behind notions we have and the world we see around us.
In brief, the book brings to fore the oft-repeated questions - Did Krishna really exist, or is it just mythology? Did Mahabharata really happen? It throws in tons of evidence, theories, stories and interpretations that make you want to believe in its hypothesis. The theories in itself are easily the most interesting part of the book, which makes me believe the writer should have chosen a better format than the force-fit fiction tale with too many stereotypical elements and "forced" surprises.
The protagonists of the book are unlikely hero. The women of the story are smart and sharp, the men confused and the motivations laughable. For a fair while, you don't even realise who are supposed to be the leads, which in itself is not a bad thing.. Part of it is weak character development, some elements of which appear so late they appear forced. Mostly, I do not like the dialogue. The plot is kinda plausible, especially once it gets over the hindi-filminess of the first half. But the dialogue is virtually non-existent, because the monologues take it over. At a point, you wonder, why are they all running? What are they trying to get to? Why now? Why so urgent? Why so SERIOUS?
This book is great if you're interested in history, mythology, the one world-one civilization paradigm, the supremacy of Hinduism (in a very twisted way), and hell, who doesn't love a conspiracy theory. Dont read it for the story it tries to tell you though. Not worth it.
7 comments:
This book sounds to me like wishful thinking
Honestly speaking I am a mythology researcher. But even so I found the book boring. It reads more like an encyclopaedia than a thriller. The plot development seems weak and Saini behaves like a robot. Whatever material was in the book, I had already researched on it. It seems Ashwin having gathered so much material had no idea what to do with it and pushed it all into a confused novel.
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Nice review... you know, even I am deeply interested in myth, philosophy and Indian culture. Hence, the book attracted me intensely. But your review sure put me off! Now I don't know if I should pick up that book or not...
However, if you are fond of narrative, try THE IMMORTALS OF MELUHA and its sequel, which constitute the world-famous Shiva trilogy. They are written in such a way that you will be transported into that time-the charcaters so enchanting, the philosophy and beauty of the book so enticing, that you won't like to get up on picking up any one of the books-not even for the washroom!
I like mythological books m fascinated by Mahabharata but still I found the book v boring.......I finished the book in hope of a good surprise ending but I was deeply disappointed ........research all is good bt it seemed everything was filled just for the sake of it ......author could have done so much more ...... the book could better it was total dan brown wannabe .......after completing the book I got the feeling which I got after watching the movie Heroine :-(
Just finished reading The Krishna Key and even as an anthropologist I found this book exceptionally vague and the standard of writing is below average. And the ending is abrupt and some of the chapters are not well weaved into each other. Also, it reads like a bad copy of Da Vinci Code.
I enjoyed reading this book deeply. Like with The Da Vinci Code the ending of this book too was very philosophical & a let down. We like more hard hitting endings. But before that the plot & connections were really exciting. It just makes me feel proud of my ancestry.
One thing is true. The world cannot ignore the coincidences. We as Indians have always been too liberal to acknowledge our valuable contribution to the world. Instead we give that space to other civilizations who have always been claiming their supremacy.
If not for anything else let us promote this book just so that our generation & the next appreciate their lineage.
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