The Krishna Key Posted by Drac , Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 2:49 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, Westland

Title: The Krishna Key

Author: Ashwin Sanghi

Publisher: Westland

Genre: Fiction

The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi follows a historian, Ravi Mohan Saini, as he races to discover the truth hidden by Krishna thousands years ago, against a serial killer who thinks himself as the reincarnation of Krishna. Interested already? ‘The Krishna Key’ does not follow the current trade of retelling mythology in a fictional manner, but leave it far beyond by creating a perfect blend of mythology and fiction. This intertwining is bound to start a new trade among Indian authors as we have an endless supply of mythological chronicles. 

As they say, God lies in the details, or is it Devil? I am not sure, but whoever it is, the author has obviously met him. The places, antiques and traditions of different civilizations described in this book are highly comprehensive.  Don’t be surprised if you start Googling lexis from this book after reading it. The spiritual take of the author is also penetrating to the core. Ashwin Sanghi has developed his writing a lot since his first book ‘The Rozabal Line’, which used to give an expression as if you are reading something on the Wikipedia. 

Unlike other reviewers, I won’t compare this book with works of Dan Brown. Where both the writers have similarity of mentioning facts and meandering them into a thriller, Ashwin Sanghi shows much more reverence towards the religion and much less attention towards the grip of the story. No doubt this book has an amazing story flow and the unfolding of events will keep the reader spell bounded, but at many a times, the fictional parts gets sabotaged by the facts author trying to convey. One can find the trivia forming the backbone concept of the story getting repeated two to three times throughout the stretch of the book, but whenever an imaginary incident is taking place, the author just rush through it without giving the reader a proper time to dwell upon the moment or feel for the character. A blunt narration does work for thrillers but at the end its emotion you are left with when the book ends; this book provides just the enlightenment part wrapped in excitement. Climax, as supposed to be, is the peak part and how it strikes you depend only on your expectation, so no spoilers here. 

The references given at the end of the book reminds the reader again about the extensive research done by the author, something he is famous for. Apart from various articles and religious texts, books by Devdutt Pattanaik can also be found in this list. Being acquainted by these books already, I have to thank the author for doing a very impressive justice with such concepts. Again, the way he blends different words or worlds, to create a new for his reader to stand in awe is applauding. 

Rating: 4/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”