Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
New Delhi, India ; New York, N.Y. : Penguin Books, 1989.
Description
In this award-winning novel, Tharoor has masterfully recast the two-thousand-year-old epic, The Mahabharata, with fictional but highly recognizable events and characters from twentieth-century Indian politics. Nothing is sacred in this deliciously irreverent, witty, and deeply intelligent retelling of modern Indian history and the ancient Indian epic The Mahabharata. Alternately outrageous and instructive, hilarious and moving, it is a dazzling tapestry of prose and verse that satirically, but also poignantly, chronicles the struggle for Indian freedom and independence.
User reviews
LibraryThing member writer1985
By recasting the Mahabharata in terms of the Indian struggle for independence, Shashi Tharoor has managed to illuminate both subjects. He revitalizes the old myths by showing their relevance to modern society, and he teaches an enjoyable history lesson about the end of the British Raj and the early
The only negative about this book are the occasional lapses into poetry, which are cloyingly forced. (However, that may have been the point; the tale's narrator is as eccentric a character as any.)
In order to get the most out of the allusions, you probably want at least a passing familiarity with either the ancient epic or the modern history. Definitely not necessary though.
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years of the Republic of India. Tharoor manages to transition seamlessly from humor to pathos and back, a difficult task for any writer.The only negative about this book are the occasional lapses into poetry, which are cloyingly forced. (However, that may have been the point; the tale's narrator is as eccentric a character as any.)
In order to get the most out of the allusions, you probably want at least a passing familiarity with either the ancient epic or the modern history. Definitely not necessary though.
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LibraryThing member ashishg
A humourous yet thoughtful narrative on India's history from 1920s to 1970s on fictional backdrop of Mahabharata. No unusual facts but interesting insights.
LibraryThing member wandering_star
This is a retelling of the Mahabharatha as a story of the modern history of India. It's an amazing book - combining wit, broad humour (including a collection of really horrendous puns), passion and polemic.
It's densely allusive: as my knowledge of both the Mahabharata and modern Indian history is
This should not, however, make the book seem like a chore to read. It was a delight - a fast-moving, epic tale, which is funny as well as moving.
It's densely allusive: as my knowledge of both the Mahabharata and modern Indian history is
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little more than outline, I couldn't tell you how much twisting of each is necessary to make them fit together. But even from my position of ignorance, I picked up all sorts of little references - for example, every Westerner who's produced a famous portrayal of India lends his name to a bit-part player, from EM Forster to Richard Attenborough (director of the film "Gandhi"), and I also spotted throwaway references to both Rushdie and Vikram Seth. Even the title has two or three meanings packed into it: maha=great, bharata=India.This should not, however, make the book seem like a chore to read. It was a delight - a fast-moving, epic tale, which is funny as well as moving.
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LibraryThing member suchisundar
This is a very interestiny written satire morphing the characters from the ancient indian epic "Mahabharatha" onto the colonial and post-colonial Indian. Even the name of the book is a pun on the ancient epic.
LibraryThing member cataryna
Absolutely wonderful! The writing style is impeccable. The stories are exciting, funny, and insightful. There were times during my reading of this book that I hated to have to put it down. As I finished the book I couldn't help but draw similarities between this retelling of this ancient Indian
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story to the modern political history of America, specifically our 2 party system and the decline of basic humanistic principles that I believe is occuring. The last 3 to 4 pages were especially meaningful to me. A definite must read and one of my favorites on the 1001 list. Show Less
LibraryThing member aniruddhamatay
A very nicely woven story comparing Indian politics before and after freedom with the epic Mahabharata. This book may infuriate the so called traditionalist Indians, but controversies aside a very enjoyable book.
LibraryThing member kgib
Although I'm not religious, I love books that draw on religious symbolism and allusion. (For example, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is rooted in Paradise Lost... love it to death).
So, I really enjoyed the fact that The Great Indian Novel is based on the Mahabharata. Since I know hardly
And Tharoor pulls off something I imagine is pretty difficult...he presents Gandhi as a human being with flaws, even pokes light fun at him, but all in the spirit of admiration and love.
If you like to get your history in fiction form, this is also a great intro to the Indian independence movement.
So, I really enjoyed the fact that The Great Indian Novel is based on the Mahabharata. Since I know hardly
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anything ABOUT the Mahabharata, I'm sure a lot of the allegory was lost on me. But it was still a really interesting mish mash of religious stories and 20th century history. Funny, too. And Tharoor pulls off something I imagine is pretty difficult...he presents Gandhi as a human being with flaws, even pokes light fun at him, but all in the spirit of admiration and love.
If you like to get your history in fiction form, this is also a great intro to the Indian independence movement.
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LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
A good friend recommended this and I said, "Sure, Sure," and forgot about it for six months. When I finally felt sufficiently obligated to read it I sped through this alternate history of India; intoxicating is too small a word.
LibraryThing member Kristelh
This is a book from 1001 list and it is a satire that covers the time period or English imperialism (1930s, WWII, Independence, Ghandi, Nehru, Indira Ghandi) to the post Indira Ghandi. The book is written in structure like Mahabharata with 18 chapters and characters that r/t those in Mahabharata
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and those of actual history. Sometimes you can guess who the characters are. If you want help, the wiki page has a great chart. I enjoyed reading this book about Ghandi, Nehru, Indira and learning about the history of India's independence and why India has developed as a nation the way that it has. I also enjoyed the many references in the book to other books. I've read many books about India but this one is comprehensive and well worth tracking this book down to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member burritapal
I wish I were Indian so I could understand the sources in history from which this book was taken. It helps to look it up in Wikipedia. However, it is a very funny, enjoyable read that at the same time is instructive to people like me who find Indian culture and literature fascinating.
Awards
Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Winner — 1990)
Language
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
423 p.; 21 cm
ISBN
9780140120493