A BOOK REVIEW The Mahabharata-By Soma Guha
A BOOK REVIEW The Mahabharata-By Soma Guha
A BOOK REVIEW The Mahabharata-By Soma Guha
A BOOK REVIEW
\r\n\r\nThe Mahabharata-By Soma Guha
\r\n\r\n"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving soul on another”. Soma Guha was such a person and an author. Her writing style is so powerful that it takes many under her influence. What is more amazing that you don't feel that she twists and turns your thoughts to make you think like her. This is a trait of a great author. To be honest/frank about myself I haven't read many Indian authors. But Soma Guha is one of my favourites. Born and educated in Kolkata. After graduating from Jadavpur University, she worked as journalist for almost fifteen years, initially with, ‘The Telegraph', in Kolkata and then with ‘The Pioneer', in New Delhi. The books she has written are of the history genre. I have read three books by her- Mahabharata: The game, Mahabharata: The war and a compilation of both.
\r\n\r\nHer writing style emphasizes on the facts which shows the amount of research done. It elaborates the smallest of points which writers often forget to include while writing a version of a great epic. As they say, “Five brothers fought their hundred cousins and won, if the Mahabharata was so short, it wouldn't have been an epic”. The book has the tiniest details, so things don't muddle up and readers can understand the topic well. One thing I love about the book is that it doesn't have many flashbacks making it difficult to remember. Clear writing enhances the feel of the book. Young readers do not like much of difficult language and poetic devices, hence, leave reading and find it the most boring thing to do. If (one) a child reads these books first, it will encourage reading in (one) him. Books with simple language and to the point material are rather more engrossing than the books with too much of material on a single point.
\r\n\r\nTo many it's a bad thing but to me it is good that the book doesn't contain pictures. Real lovers of books will understand why I say so. The dramatical dialogues and sentiments of the book are (cleverly) nicely written. The Mahabharata portrays a series of emotions and it is very difficult to write all. I will say that the task is done wonderfully. I could feel every dialogue, every emotion. The book made me laugh, cry and even gott tensed. It was extremely touching. What more that the book doesn't leave the Indian touch even though it is written in English.
\r\n\r\nAlthough I would love to have more information on selective areas for one, say…. Karna, it wouldn't keep me from rating the book four and a half stars and recommending it to all of you. It is a must experience for book lovers. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”. Never stop reading, never stop your imagination.
\r\n\r\nBY: Suhani Kumar-VIIA
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