Author: Vasudhendra
Genre: Historical fiction
Language: Kannada
Publisher: Chanda Pustak
Price: Hardcover Rs. 380 at Sapna Bookstore
What a difficult book to read this was!
Although not for the reasons you’d imagine, because the writing was
brilliant, the storytelling poignant, and the way the author has
connected people’s lives and bridged seas and rivers thousands of miles
apart was nothing but dazzling.
But the story... it hits you in the guts, squeezes your throat and makes your heart bleed. It makes you pause and look up from the pages because you can’t read anymore through the tears, it makes you put down the book and not touch it again for days because you suspect what’s going to happen next and can’t bring yourself to know.
Most historical fiction I’ve read, especially anything to do with the Vijayanagara empire, has been from the king’s perspective. His valour, his conquests, his struggles and triumphs, his love stories, his rule and how his subjects enjoyed the golden age... but hardly anyone talks about the lives of his subjects. What were their lives like? What were their struggles, their pain, their joy... why did they laugh, why did they weep? How did they dress? How did they travel? What were their names? What did they eat? Who did they love, who did they worship?
This books narrates a story that will tell you all that, and more. You’re left with a painful understanding that human society, at the very basic level, remains the same no matter which century it is or which part of the world the people are from. Violent, blood thirsty, carnal, but at the same time, seeking connections and comfort, hoping for a good life. All one big mess of humanity.
If you know Kannada and want to read something that will stay with you for a long time to come, go ahead, read this book.
I can't thank my cousin Suvarnini enough for recommending it! ❤️
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