Book Review: The Krishna Coriolis Series: Flute Of Vrindavan (Book – 3) by Ashok K. Banker

Title: Flute of Vrindavan – Book 3 – The Krishna Coriolis Series
Author: Ashok K. Banker
Publisher: Harper Collins India
ISBN: 978-9350291924
Genre: Mythology
Pages: 272
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3/5

I did not read Ashok Banker’s Ramayana. I do not know, however I did not. Moreover, I prefer The Mahabharata over Ramayana, so maybe that is why. Having said that, when Harper Collins India sent me an installment of The Krishna Coriolis Series, I was only too glad to read and review it.

The third installment in this series is called, “Flute of Vrindavan” focuses on the infant Krishna and his half-brother Balarama and the childhood of the naughty god-child. The book centers on Kamsa working and building on his powers to superhuman proportions to slay the infant and not succeeding. Meanwhile it dawns on Yashoda that the baby she is trying to protect is in fact the protector of the world. Kamsa also tries to kill the infant in this book by using Jarasandha and yet is unable to. Nanda then leads his people into exile in Vrindavan, which again is not safe from its own share of problems. This is where Krishna and his perils begin – where he has to play God and be the infant that he is.

I have not read the first two installments in the series, so I cannot say much with reference to those; however as a standalone book as well, I could understand this one. Krishna is one of the most prayed to gods in our country and yet his charm is also what makes him so endearing.

As a God or God-like figure, I have always found Krishna to be more accessible. The book was average. I liked the sub-plots and Krishna’s adventures. The language was fine and the writing was good, the characters are close to the myth and readers who know their mythology will be able to relate to the book. Over all, I would recommend that you read the first two parts of the book and then read this one. It would make more sense to do that.

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Book Review: Ragnarok: The End of the Gods by A.S. Byatt

Title: Ragnarok: The End of the Gods
Author: A.S. Byatt
Publisher: Canongate Books
ISBN: 978-1847670649
Genre: Mythology
Pages: 192
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5

I have always loved reading A.S. Byatt’s works. From Elementals to Possession: A Romance to The Children’s Book, every book of hers has been unique and distinct. A.S. Byatt’s books at the same time tend to be long and pedantic. There have also been times when I have reached the middle of a book and thought of giving it up, however was glad enough that I did not.

A.S. Byatt’s new book, “Ragnarok: The End of the Gods” is centered on retelling the finale of the Norse Mythology. The story is about the destruction of life on this planet and the end of the gods themselves. As per the Norse Myth, the world will come to an end and there will be only two human survivors.

Byatt has added her own twist to the myth. Told through the eyes of a young girl in wartime Britain, who is known as the only thin child, Ragnarok sets off brilliantly. The thin gird chances upon a book entitled Asgard and the Gods and shares those myths with the reader. With her father fighting in the war, she reads the myths and waits for the end of the world to come around.

The book is a collection of myths leading to Ragnarok. The book made me aware of the Nordic myths which do to some extent resemble the myths of other cultures – so there is familiarity as well for the reader. At the same time, one can also read A.S. Byatt’s thoughts on myths, which are included in the book. I enjoyed the crispness of A.S. Byatt’s writing. No word or thought is out of place in the book and may be that is what leads to the book not getting boring or dull.

I read the book in one sitting and probably that’s the best way to read it. This book is a stepping stone to make the reader want to know more about Norse myths and traditions.

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