I just finished reading Vineet Bajpai's latest engrosser - Harappa Curse Of The Blood River.
Before I began reading this I had no clue what kind of a book it was. So I casually started off reading the introduction chapter. It casually introduced incidents occurring in 4 different time eras and 4 different locations - from 1856 AD, Barrackpore, 1578 AD Portugal, 1700 BCE Harappa, and 2017, New Delhi.
Vidyut Shastri, the protagonist is introduced as an entrepreneur who runs a successful security company, and is about to visit his great grandfather in Banaras. We learn a bit about the Curse of the Blood River.
And then the story becomes a fast paced Bollywood thriller. Vineet has done a splendid job in carving out each of the characters in the book. His descriptions make the characters come alive in your mind. Romi, the sophisticated assassin, Paras, the caring driver, Chandradhar, Damini, Bala, Naina, Priyamvada, they all play important roles in this story that simply stuns you.
Each alternate chapter talks about the present, the story unfolding in the heart of Banaras. The city were the half-human, half-God must prove himself in freeing everyone from the Curse. While you come to terms with the present, the story entwines you in the history of Harappa. The story is an intelligent mix of mythology, occult practices, betrayal, love and the destruction of the greatest civilization - all laid out in front of you in such a vivid manner that you become a part of the story as you read it through.
The narrative is nail biting and the end leaves you with the same feeling that you get after watching Bahubali part 1. It's been over a week since I finished reading this and the story still reverberates in my mind. I am anxiously awaiting the next part of this series of four books.
Harappa Curse of the Blood River is a MUST read for anyone who enjoys reading fiction. And I really hope someone in Bollywood picks this up to create a movie that will be as nail-biting as the book is.
A few quotes from the book that have stayed with me:
"Anger is the darkest poison"
"In Sanatana and Hindu dharma, women represent the Goddess Herself. And the Godess bows to no one. We bow to Her"
"Our dharma places the woman on a much higher pedestal than man"
Quite contrary to what we see being practised yet an eye opener as to how much our religion has been twisted and turned to satisfy the greed and needs of some people. Anyhow, that is a different topic altogether.
Happy reading!
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Before I began reading this I had no clue what kind of a book it was. So I casually started off reading the introduction chapter. It casually introduced incidents occurring in 4 different time eras and 4 different locations - from 1856 AD, Barrackpore, 1578 AD Portugal, 1700 BCE Harappa, and 2017, New Delhi.
Vidyut Shastri, the protagonist is introduced as an entrepreneur who runs a successful security company, and is about to visit his great grandfather in Banaras. We learn a bit about the Curse of the Blood River.
And then the story becomes a fast paced Bollywood thriller. Vineet has done a splendid job in carving out each of the characters in the book. His descriptions make the characters come alive in your mind. Romi, the sophisticated assassin, Paras, the caring driver, Chandradhar, Damini, Bala, Naina, Priyamvada, they all play important roles in this story that simply stuns you.
Each alternate chapter talks about the present, the story unfolding in the heart of Banaras. The city were the half-human, half-God must prove himself in freeing everyone from the Curse. While you come to terms with the present, the story entwines you in the history of Harappa. The story is an intelligent mix of mythology, occult practices, betrayal, love and the destruction of the greatest civilization - all laid out in front of you in such a vivid manner that you become a part of the story as you read it through.
The narrative is nail biting and the end leaves you with the same feeling that you get after watching Bahubali part 1. It's been over a week since I finished reading this and the story still reverberates in my mind. I am anxiously awaiting the next part of this series of four books.
Harappa Curse of the Blood River is a MUST read for anyone who enjoys reading fiction. And I really hope someone in Bollywood picks this up to create a movie that will be as nail-biting as the book is.
A few quotes from the book that have stayed with me:
"Anger is the darkest poison"
"In Sanatana and Hindu dharma, women represent the Goddess Herself. And the Godess bows to no one. We bow to Her"
"Our dharma places the woman on a much higher pedestal than man"
Quite contrary to what we see being practised yet an eye opener as to how much our religion has been twisted and turned to satisfy the greed and needs of some people. Anyhow, that is a different topic altogether.
Happy reading!
Follow Me On
| | Pin It
I too read the book and quite echo your thoughts! Vineet Bajpai has indeed written a nail biting, gripping novel. Now just waiting eagerly waiting for Pralay the sequel!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your views Vivek
DeleteSounds like a very cool book! I love reading a good book in summertime 💕
ReplyDeleteIt's one hell of a roller coaster
DeleteThis sounds like a great read. I didn't know that there are Bollywood style books, I thought that it was just movies. :D
ReplyDeleteHa ha, not really a 'bollywood' category but one that will make a very interesting movie indeed
DeleteI've become so hit or miss with books lately, and this sounds like something I would enjoy reading. I definitely need to pick it up when I've got free time for reading!
ReplyDeleteA bit of Indian history and mythology is what you'll get to learn along with the thrill
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book. I wasn't aware that there were Bollywood books, only movies.
ReplyDeleteIt is a complete roller coaster
DeleteI haven't read a non kids book in so long.
ReplyDelete😀
DeleteI like the quotes you selected that stuck with you - the one that resonates most to me is "Anger is the darkest poison - that is so true." Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristi
DeleteBollywood thriller sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book
DeleteThis has definitely peaked my interest.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it did
DeleteI like fiction although I like to read the classics.
ReplyDeleteYeah I like classics too
DeleteThis definitely sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is
DeleteI haven't read good fiction in a long time. I'll have to keep this one in mind :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteI can't wait for cooler weather so I can pile up by a fire and read! I will certainly at this one to my must read list.
ReplyDeleteGreat Nina
DeleteThis is the kind of theme I like in fiction. Can't wait til I can pick up a book and flip through pages too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy you're reading
DeleteThis book sounds really gripping, I love sitting down with a good book x
ReplyDeleteIt sure is
Delete