The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi is a rather refreshing break away from Indian contempory writing, a fast paced adventure with twists turns and amazing u-turns is what the indian litreature needs. We could do well with a couple of magnanimous hot cakes of our own other than the usual mystic stalwarts. Sanghi’s The Krishna Keyis a slow adventure that unfolds in the mystic realms of India and its fully loaded.
The story evolves from the discovery of four Indus valley seals and the world of unprecidented knowledge that they are meant to unlock. Pepped with some gruesome murders, malevolent conspiracy theories and an uncanny resemblance to several dan brown novels, The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi is a true thriller. The story moves through simultaneously through both ancient and modern India along with its protagonist Mr Saini, who as in all archaeological thrillers is a history professors. He is a true ‘European hero’ in a very Indian novel who makes sure that he gets a taste of everything that’s there to taste in this story, literally everything.
The story is creative and refreshing yet the narration is far from being perfect. The greatest short coming of the story would be its beginning which is dangerously slow that it takes perseverance to reach the good part. Although it gives the reader the feeling of a chewed Dan Brown novel at the initial phase, the story quickly picks up and metamorphosizes into a true thriller and by mid way it is gripping. The story takes you through the breadth and width of India following various clues and leaving behind a rather bloody tail and a lot of confusion. The next big disappointment occurs at the end where the author leaves the readers feeling ‘ditched’. The ending is lackluster and does not do any justice what so ever to hype and expectation that the author has created through out the story. The problem is that its too surreal when the reader craves for something solid and substantial.
Then there are a couple of glitches in the story which involves a drastic change in the character of the characters and a rather poorly executed love story entwined into the main plot. One minute they are just acquaintances and the next they are in the bed making love. Nobody saw the love happening, what must otherwise have added some sugar to the feisty tale leaves behind a rather sour taste in the readers mind, after all no one expects a 50 something Indian college history professor to turn into a stud over the span of 4 pages. The love story was unwanted and unnecessary.
Setting aside these two disappointments the novel is really good and can be easily ranked as one of the few very good Indian authored book that I have read in the last couple of years. I would suggest that the any one who can get your hands one just grab it. Aside from a few glitches I pointed out, the story is fabulous, gripping and very well researched.
This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com.
Pages off Life 
You are a honest reviewer, just the kind i like to read. I am following you 😀
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Thank you Ghazala, I do what I can do. there is no uses writing a review that is full of crap and flattery when the book is rotten then the review must say that it is just a piece of shit.
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I was planning to buy this book … and as per your review, I guess I should give it a try 🙂
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I too was disappointed with the end, as if the tale was left hanging. And a couple of typos left me questioning the level of proofreading, for starters I found at least three pages where radhika was named priya, and other such trivial mistakes. I couldnt help comparing this one to the others by Ashwin Sanghi , and I hate to say its lacking the usual mystery.
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Did read quite a few reviews about this book and did like you no nonsense review. Thanks for sharing
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Sure give it a try, it sure to keep you occupied for a couple of days.
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Indeed, I spotted that mistake several times too. He really could have did a better job at it.
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Thank you Engram
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Good work Rupert, nice review done 🙂
Keep posting 😀
Regards,
Jay
http://road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/
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Thank you
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You make the book sound very interesting.Looks like worth a read.Good review!
My world, my thoughts, my musings…
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It sure is a good read, don't expect a literary feat just a good story and you wont be disappointing.
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Seems to be an interesting book. All reviews I have read so far are in favor of it!
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It indeed is
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It's true, and in some places the narration stands still while Prof Saini starts to lecture about ancient history and stuff. But we have to appreciate the research Sanghi has done..
Good review! 🙂
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Thank you, I too was stupefied by some of those boring history lessons. 🙂
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