The Wrong One Or The Wronged One? (Book Review)

Book: Shakuni – Master of the game

Author: Ashutosh Nadkar

Publication: Juggernaut

Who defines the righteous? Who decides what is good and what is not? Who determines that one set of perspective is the right way of living while the other isn’t?

We have been fed over the centuries that Ram was the virtuous, while Ravana’s path not good enough to be followed; just as we believe that Pandavas won the Mahabharata because God supported them, no wonder Kauravas were destined to lose. We believe what we have been told again and again, over the years. How open would you be to accept the culprit as the victim in any of these epic tales?

Shakuni – Master of the Game authored by Ashutosh Nadkar explores the antagonist’s perspective, the dire situations that made him one of the greatest villains on Indian mythology. It compels you to understand the various perspectives that our eyes alone cannot decipher. The author dissects this complex character and presents it in a simplifies manner. The author has posed a question, if Shakuni was the wrong or was he wronged.  

For me reading the story of Mahabharata from Shakuni’s perspective was an immersive experience. It helped me understand, what meets the eyes may not always be true. When one does something to hurt another, probably he would have been hurt enough to take such a step.

Well enough of gyaan, coming to the review.  Needless to say, the book is extremely gripping. Though one may know the stories and incidents, looking at it from another perspective seems like a completely new story.  Though the plot isn’t new, it shows a young and energetic Shakuni transforming into a corrupt man he dies as and how he was made to look like the vicious person, he wasn’t perhaps. The narration is so powerful, inspite of decades old training, you will feel for Shakuni and want him to win.  Be it the description of the characters or scenes, it is engrossing. The author is nothing less than ‘Master of words’       

My ratings: 4.5 out of 5.

I received a review copy of the book from Juggernaut in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.