≫ PDF AJAYA Epic of the Kaurava Clan ROLL OF THE DICE Book 1 Anand Neelakantan 9789381576038 Books

AJAYA Epic of the Kaurava Clan ROLL OF THE DICE Book 1 Anand Neelakantan 9789381576038 Books

Download As PDF : AJAYA Epic of the Kaurava Clan ROLL OF THE DICE Book 1 Anand Neelakantan 9789381576038 Books

AJAYA Epic of the Kaurava Clan ROLL OF THE DICE Book 1 Anand Neelakantan 9789381576038 Books

I thoroughly enjoyed reading tis book. A very well written book that narrates how the story would be from the Kaurav’s point of view. An eye opener for me in many ways since a lot of facts are not brought about in popular versions of the Mahabharta. Facts like Duryodana’s name was actually Suyodhana, how the brothers Balrama and Krishna were so differently opinionated but still loved each other. I would like to go a step further and say that this book ( in two parts ) is a must read for anyone interested in this subject and who has an open mind. This book is certainly not for people who are die hard believers that all Pandavas did was good and that all Kaurav’s did was bad. Also not for the people who would not stand for any criticism about Krishna, his wisdom and his ways. I just love the style of writing of the author, his descriptive analysis of the moments in time as well as his simple and metaphoric ways of explaining things.


Tags : AJAYA : Epic of the Kaurava Clan -ROLL OF THE DICE (Book 1) [Anand Neelakantan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THE MAHABHARATA ENDURES AS THE GREAT EPIC OF INDIA. But while Jaya is the story of the Pandavas, told from the perspective of the victors of Kurukshetra; Ajaya is the narrative of the ïunconquerable' Kauravas,Anand Neelakantan,AJAYA : Epic of the Kaurava Clan -ROLL OF THE DICE (Book 1),Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd,9381576033,book,Literature & Fiction General,FICTION Historical General,Hinduism - General,Historical fiction,Religion - World Religions,Religion Hinduism General,FICTION Historical

AJAYA Epic of the Kaurava Clan ROLL OF THE DICE Book 1 Anand Neelakantan 9789381576038 Books Reviews

The third book I read by this author - looking forward to more. Right and wrong are so subjective and our mind soaks in and passes judgement so easily but always helps to just question it and to question an epic like Mahabharata - take courage ! But to write it so convincingly and analyse each and every event and narration is skillful !
Brilliantly written book. I must laud Anand for being brave enough to write the story from the Kaurava's perspective. By the time I finished this book I was bleary eyed due to the lack of sleep, that's how riveting the storyline is. As soon as I finished this one, I promptly went to and bought not only AJAYA - RISE OF KALI but ASURA Tale Of The Vanquished too. Looking forward to a few more sleepless nights.

Highly recommend you read this !
What didn’t work for me?

Ajaya was supposed to be Mahabharata from Duryodhana’s point of view but Anand digresses into the caste inequality and the misery of downtrodden very often. Suyodhana in Ajaya challenges caste rules at every turn. He goes among ‘untouchables’ and is a do gooder. Somehow I am unable to get my head around this fact. Mahabharata does not hide anybody’s flaws or goodness. If Duryodhana was indeed such a do-gooder then Vyasa would have mentioned it.

The high point of Duryodhana’s character was the elevation of Karna as King of Anga. But Duryodhana’s reasons were materialistic. He wanted a talented archer and warrior on his side and another important reason was to slight the Pandavas in the arena. Karna remains beholden to Duryodhana all his life. If Suyodhana was not so bothered about caste rules, why didn’t he marry Sushasana to Karna? The truth is that Duryodhana never had matrimonial alliance with his dear friend. Karna married a Suta girl and had Suta sons. Their relationship was that of a lord and vassal through and through.

Ajaya would have been phenomenal book, if Anand had indeed written it through Duryodhana’s eyes. Instead of glossing over his faults and magnifying his goodness, Anand could have presented him as he was; an egoistic, misguided Prince who never measured up to his glorious cousins.

Ajaya’s language is a tad better than Asura. The editing has improved but the second half of the book needs a tighter editing. For a mythological novel, the language is very modern; philanthropist, India, coolie, sleeper cells are a few examples. The novel is replete with these terms.

Plus Points I liked the continuation of Indra, Vasuki, Parashuram and Bali story legends that came in Asura. Anand needs to be appreciated for taking on a bold subject.

Minus Points I wish this had been a genuine ‘point of view’ novel through Duryodhana’s eyes.

Verdict I would recommend this book as it is an interesting read. However the reader needs to form his own opinion by reading the original epic or its many retellings to get a balanced view of things.
It's not often I read a book and feel jealous, but I certainly did with Ajaya Roll of the Dice. In so many ways it echoed a lot of my own thoughts when I first read the Mahabharata. The book retells the story of the rivalry between the Kauravas and Pandavas in a new and exciting and accessible way. I know some westerners will be put off by the link to the Mahabharata, wrongly feeling that this will be a dull religious tome. You couldn't be more wrong. The Mahabharata itself reads like a great sword and sorcery novel and Ajaya ups the ante, it is every bit as thrilling and wonderful as anything Tolkein wrote, and even has elements that will appeal to fans of Game of Thrones. It will also make you despair, cheer, laugh and... in short it's got everything. I'm desperately waiting book 2. Give it a read and see this age old story retold from the other side of the coin
For anyone interested in the Mahabharata and Indian history and mythology, Anand Neelakantan's Ajaya Role of the Dice, is a thought provoking treat. What if the gods were real historic personalities and not supernatural beings? What if the historical epics, written by the victors, were told from another point of view?
This tale, told from the side of the Kauravas, Suryodhana/Duryodhana in particular, follows the twists and turns of the Mahabharata. It examines ideas of justice, the cast system and history in a new light. The characters, adventures and battles will be familiar to readers of that epic, but the familiar characters are seen from a new angle. The erstwhile villains finally get their chance to speak and heroes loose the magical gloss that centuries have given their characters. Ajaya Role of the Dice is the first part of a two part epic novel. The second is yet to be released, and will be called Ajaya Book II, Rise of Kali. Filled with battles, loves and adventures, it is a brilliantly written variation on a very old story. I enjoyed it immensely.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading tis book. A very well written book that narrates how the story would be from the Kaurav’s point of view. An eye opener for me in many ways since a lot of facts are not brought about in popular versions of the Mahabharta. Facts like Duryodana’s name was actually Suyodhana, how the brothers Balrama and Krishna were so differently opinionated but still loved each other. I would like to go a step further and say that this book ( in two parts ) is a must read for anyone interested in this subject and who has an open mind. This book is certainly not for people who are die hard believers that all Pandavas did was good and that all Kaurav’s did was bad. Also not for the people who would not stand for any criticism about Krishna, his wisdom and his ways. I just love the style of writing of the author, his descriptive analysis of the moments in time as well as his simple and metaphoric ways of explaining things.