Book Review: Journey to the Forbidden City by Deepa Agarwal

Title: Journey to the Forbidden City

Author: Deepa Agarwal

Publisher: India Puffin

Deepa Agarwal’s ‘Journey to the Forbidden City’ is the little-known story of the exploration of Tibet, ‘the Roof of the World,’ by Nain Singh Rawat who mapped the country in disguise in the late 19th century.

Nain Singh Rawat, an unsung Kumaoni hero, was sent to Tibet along with his cousin Mani on a top-secret mission by the British. The British government was desperate to acquire geographical knowledge of Tibet. They were apprehensive that Russia might next try to wrest control of India, their prized colony. On the successful completion of his mission, Rawat was applauded. His contribution to the map of the world was recognised by institutions like the Royal Geographical Society and the Paris Geographical Society.

The book is based on Rawat’s actual diaries and is a tribute to the daring, resourcefulness, and never-give-up attitude of a solitary man who risked life and limb for his job. He went on to become one of the greatest pandits, a select group of highly educated and brave local men trained in geographical exploration. Apart from recording information that the British sought, Rawat also put in his diary a glimpse into the socio-cultural life of the Tibetans and the scenic beauty of the land.

Agarwal’s writing is easy to follow yet crisp. There’s a flow in her narrative that compels one to turn the pages. 

This book is a must read for everyone who is interested in learning about one of the great figures in Indian history.

A beautiful portrayal of a historic and arduous journey of a solitary explorer.

Author, poet and translator, Deepa Agarwal grew up in the pristine Kumaoni region set in foothills of the Himalayas. She writes for both children and adults and has over fifty published books to her credit, including Puffin Classics: Chandrakanta and Listen, O King! Five-and-Twenty-Tales of Vikram and the Vetal.

A frequent contributor to magazines and journals in India and abroad, she has edited, compiled and contributed to several anthologies. Among other awards, she received the NCERT National Award for Children's Literature in 1993 for her picture book Ashok's New Friends, while her historical fiction Caravan to Tibet was on the 2008 IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List. Her works have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Penguin.co.in

Book Review: Beast by Krishna Udayasankar

Title: Beast

Author: Krishna Udayasankar

Publisher: Penguin eBury Press

Krishna Udayasankar’s ‘Beast’ is an urban fantasy thriller inspired by India’s rich lore and myths.

The story begins with a gruesome triple homicide in a suburb of Mumbai which keeps the police guessing as to the identity of the killer. Is it a man or a beast who has committed the crimes? The bodies have been so badly mutilated that no human hand could have done it. It is then that ACP Aditi Kashyap is called upon to solve the gruesome murders. She has to partner with an Enforcer, Prithvi Narasimha, who’s been called to hunt down this seemingly otherworldly murderer. As the two set out to find the culprit, a greater conspiracy unfolds and the very survival of humankind is placed under threat. Together, Aditi and Prithvi chase the murderer through the dark underbelly of Mumbai—from quiet suburbs to gritty brothels, from forgotten colonial tunnels to the lights and glamour of the inner city.

However, everything is not as it seems and the world isn’t just the domain of humans alone. Prithvi, as it turns out, is a werelion. He’s part human and part lion. And he’s not alone. There is an entire clan populated by beings like him. They call themselves Saimhas and consider themselves descendants of the legendry Narasimha—Vishnu’s avatar—from the story of Bhakt Prahallad. The Saimhas believe they are soldiers of the gods and are meant to protect all that is good and pure in humans. When the world comes to an end and Vishnu rises again to destroy all evil, the Saimhas will serve him. Till then they must control the beast hiding inside them. But not everyone curb their desire to be what nature means them to be. One of them has taken it upon himself to serve justice, though unwanted.

A thrilling page-turner that keeps you hooked, ‘Beast’ is rich in imagery. Udayasankar’s world-building is deft. She brings up some thought-provoking questions about the conflict between free will and law through her story telling. There’s just the right amount of drama, suspense, action, and mystery in this story.

An engaging and carefully constructed thriller that is worth reading before it starts streaming. 

Krishna Udayasankar is the author of The Aryavarta Chronicles (Govinda, Kaurava, Kurukshetra), 3, Immortal and Objects of Affection. She lives in Singapore with her family, which includes three bookish canine children, Boozo, Zana and Maya.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in