The Shiva Trilogy - Redefining Indian Fiction

To be honest, I was never too much into Indian literature barring a few like Arundhati Roy, Sulman Rushdie, Vikram Seth, Jhumpa Lahiri and the ilk and was particularly indifferent to the fiction scene.

Today I am proud to say that I am a transformed reader. Since the time I have gotten hooked on to this phenomenal opium of a book series called "The Shiva Trilogy" I am hunting like a madman for more and more Desi masterpieces. Though I still feel that the writer could do well with a tighter language and editorial...but who cares...the plot and the storyline..makes up more than enough for these minor imperfections. What a storyteller this Amish Tripathi has turned out to be...I would say move over Chetan Bhagats and let the real storyteller please stand up!

The way he has taken Indian mythology and turned it over its head to produce a masterclass fiction work is just amazing. India and Indians are hyper sensitive about religion and anything even remotely related to it. But Amish has managed to cleverly steer away from our religious watchdogs and given a non-controversial (at least to me it seems so) new Avataar to the most enigmatic and mysterious of our Gods - Lord Shiva. He has made Lord Shiva look like a cross between all the Superheroes of the west with a panache and Charisma of 007- so powerful is the character.

The narrative is absolutely gripping and just when you are on the brink of acknowledging the sheer brilliance , Amish raises the stakes as he pulls a rabbit out of the hat and makes the story and the reader twist in their tracks. Amazing imagination and awesome storytelling is what you could expect from this guy. With an easy on the grey cells style of writing, it just makes it so difficult for one to leave the book unfinished. I'd go as far to say that he could be the "Dan Brown" Indian Fiction scene has always been waiting for.

I'm already super excited at the prospect and possibilities of the concluding book - "The oath of the Vayuputras" (getting released in March) and even more at the rumors of a motion picture being planned with Rithik Roshan as Shiva!!

Sounds too good to be true..but that's what I heard on the movie grapevine...but I do hope that it turns out to be true.

Confession time - I've been hit like a bolt by some seriously good Indian fiction so much that I have already listed out my next reads - Ashwin Sanghi series and "The Asuras".

Folks, trust me on this one, if you haven't checked out the Shiva Series already...please go and grab your copies now!

Overall Verdict - Superb