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Pradyumna: Son of Krishna #1
Pradyumna - Son of Krishna
‘I see a dark future that makes me quake,’ Devarishi Narada said. ‘One of these newborns will ravage the world and erase the name of Krishna from the face of the earth.’
As the world trembles on the threshold of Kali Yuga—4,32,000 years of unprecedented evil—it waits for a saviour to rise.
Meanwhile, in the dark netherland of the asuras, the meek Vama shudders as he learns that he is actually Pradyumna,
the son of Krishna. And that his journey has just begun.
From the asura kingdom to Dwaraka and then Kurukshetra, destiny forces him to battle monsters, angry
gods and blazing weapons, and overpower his own weaknesses. Will he be able to rise to the challenge in time to save
the world? Or is he the destroyer prophesied by Narada?
Pradyumna is the gripping saga of the rise of this mighty, swashbuckling hero whom all of humanity awaits.
As the world trembles on the threshold of Kali Yuga—4,32,000 years of unprecedented evil—it waits for a saviour to rise.
Meanwhile, in the dark netherland of the asuras, the meek Vama shudders as he learns that he is actually Pradyumna,
the son of Krishna. And that his journey has just begun.
From the asura kingdom to Dwaraka and then Kurukshetra, destiny forces him to battle monsters, angry
gods and blazing weapons, and overpower his own weaknesses. Will he be able to rise to the challenge in time to save
the world? Or is he the destroyer prophesied by Narada?
Pradyumna is the gripping saga of the rise of this mighty, swashbuckling hero whom all of humanity awaits.
350 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2015
9 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Usha Narayanan
11 books72 followersUsha Narayanan had a successful career in advertising, media and corporate communications before becoming a full-time author. She has written 'The Madras Mangler', a suspense thriller, and two romances, 'Love,Lies and Layoffs' (Harlequin) and 'Doctor Stalker Spy' (Juggernaut). Her mythological bestsellers from Penguin include 'Pradyumna: Son of Krishna', 'The Secret of God’s Son', 'Prem Purana' and her latest, 'Kartikeya and His Battle with the Soul Stealer'. She combines self help with mythology in 'Awaken the Durga Within', a Rupa release that is now rocking the charts.
When she’s not juggling travelling, writing and interviews, Usha reads everything from thrillers to romances.
To know more about her, visit www.ushanarayanan.com or email her at author@ushanarayanan.com. Find her also at www.facebook.com/writerusha or tweet @writerusha.
When she’s not juggling travelling, writing and interviews, Usha reads everything from thrillers to romances.
To know more about her, visit www.ushanarayanan.com or email her at author@ushanarayanan.com. Find her also at www.facebook.com/writerusha or tweet @writerusha.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 29, 2016
Points in favor:
+ Story of a lesser known character
+ Magic of narration, engaging from start to finish
+ Research into mythology shows nicely
+ Character development especially of Pradyumna’s
Points against:
- Cover art; not a big fan of that
Eagerly, I await the second installment of the series.
Vinay Leo R. | A Bookworm's Musing
+ Story of a lesser known character
+ Magic of narration, engaging from start to finish
+ Research into mythology shows nicely
+ Character development especially of Pradyumna’s
Points against:
- Cover art; not a big fan of that
Eagerly, I await the second installment of the series.
Vinay Leo R. | A Bookworm's Musing
November 30, 2015
When I started reading Usha Narayanan’s Pradyumna: Son of Krishna, it was with a lot of expectation and anticipation. After all, I have had a childhood of reading mythological stories and comic books. And, truth be told, this book fulfilled every expectation of mine and more. If you are a mythology fan, you are going to love this book, and more than that, the way Ms Narayanan has written it.
The Pros
One of the biggest challenges in writing mythology is that you have to deal with several characters, most of whom have godlike status or are gods themselves. One slip-up and you could end up alienating your core audience. This does not happen in Pradyumna at all. The author has been able to do full justice to all characters in the book, including Lord Krishna and the icons of The Mahabharata. Each character receives their deserved space in the book – nothing more, nothing else.
Secondly, there are a lot of back stories. This is much needed for people who are not familiar with them, which forms the majority of the reader demographic anyway. Ms Narayanan scores here as well because the back stories are told only to the point to which they need to be told to the audience. In mythology, a writer can stretch a back story right back to the Creation itself, but here the author knows exactly how much is relevant. That’s a major brownie point as it does not lead to a lot of digression from the core events of the book.
I must also put in a strong word for the character transformations. Two characters in particular – Vama who becomes Pradyumna, and Queen Mayavati who turns from mother to consort – are beautifully fleshed out. The reader moves with the characters during these transformations – from neglected prince to pauper to warrior – quite smoothly.
Another strong aspect of the author is the description of the battle scenes. There are action sequences aplenty, which keeps the pace of the novel moving quite briskly. The author has written some long-drawn action scenes but she has managed to keep variety in them. What I appreciated was the introduction of various creatures of different shapes and sizes, which elevates this book from being a mere oft-repeated mythological tale to one that has elements of fantasy. Also, Ms Narayanan does not shy away from describing gore. It only brings out the dark aspect of the book that is a recurrent theme in the story throughout.
The language is impeccable as well. I am making a special note of that because language plays an important role in mythology.
The Cons
I must say that picking out cons in this book will be akin to nitpicking. But, if I do have to point out any drawbacks, it could be the long-drawn character sketches at the start of the book. The book takes a couple of chapters to establish characters. This could just be because I was not familiar with the characters, so it more of a reader shortcoming than the authors. Apart from that, I felt there was a tad bit too much narration at the start (by Narada), and since it did not happen chronologically at times, it got a little confusing. However, once the initial 4-5 chapters are done, the book really gathers momentum and you would not want to put it down till you finish it.
The Conclusion
If you know your mythology well, this is a great book to add to your collection. It is mostly fact with some fiction thrown in to create the story, but that is what sets it apart from other mythological tales. However, if you are new to Indian mythology, you might find the beginning chapters a bit daunting. The story sets in soon though, and then the book is unputdownable.
The best is the climax, which is sure to leave you breathless. Glad to know there’s a part 2 already in the works.
The Pros
One of the biggest challenges in writing mythology is that you have to deal with several characters, most of whom have godlike status or are gods themselves. One slip-up and you could end up alienating your core audience. This does not happen in Pradyumna at all. The author has been able to do full justice to all characters in the book, including Lord Krishna and the icons of The Mahabharata. Each character receives their deserved space in the book – nothing more, nothing else.
Secondly, there are a lot of back stories. This is much needed for people who are not familiar with them, which forms the majority of the reader demographic anyway. Ms Narayanan scores here as well because the back stories are told only to the point to which they need to be told to the audience. In mythology, a writer can stretch a back story right back to the Creation itself, but here the author knows exactly how much is relevant. That’s a major brownie point as it does not lead to a lot of digression from the core events of the book.
I must also put in a strong word for the character transformations. Two characters in particular – Vama who becomes Pradyumna, and Queen Mayavati who turns from mother to consort – are beautifully fleshed out. The reader moves with the characters during these transformations – from neglected prince to pauper to warrior – quite smoothly.
Another strong aspect of the author is the description of the battle scenes. There are action sequences aplenty, which keeps the pace of the novel moving quite briskly. The author has written some long-drawn action scenes but she has managed to keep variety in them. What I appreciated was the introduction of various creatures of different shapes and sizes, which elevates this book from being a mere oft-repeated mythological tale to one that has elements of fantasy. Also, Ms Narayanan does not shy away from describing gore. It only brings out the dark aspect of the book that is a recurrent theme in the story throughout.
The language is impeccable as well. I am making a special note of that because language plays an important role in mythology.
The Cons
I must say that picking out cons in this book will be akin to nitpicking. But, if I do have to point out any drawbacks, it could be the long-drawn character sketches at the start of the book. The book takes a couple of chapters to establish characters. This could just be because I was not familiar with the characters, so it more of a reader shortcoming than the authors. Apart from that, I felt there was a tad bit too much narration at the start (by Narada), and since it did not happen chronologically at times, it got a little confusing. However, once the initial 4-5 chapters are done, the book really gathers momentum and you would not want to put it down till you finish it.
The Conclusion
If you know your mythology well, this is a great book to add to your collection. It is mostly fact with some fiction thrown in to create the story, but that is what sets it apart from other mythological tales. However, if you are new to Indian mythology, you might find the beginning chapters a bit daunting. The story sets in soon though, and then the book is unputdownable.
The best is the climax, which is sure to leave you breathless. Glad to know there’s a part 2 already in the works.
August 21, 2016
This book was a first for me in two ways: the first book by Usha Narayanan that I had read, and the first time I had picked up Indian mythology. And I have come to regret neither.
This book tells many a tale, all woven into one colourful picture that left me at once intrigued and entertained. It’s like each chapter is a piece of a puzzle the author cleverly puts together. The center around which everything else revolves is Pradyumna, son of Krishna, depicted so beautifully on the cover and rarely written about in comparison to others. We first get to know him in the form of Vama, controlled by his bodily desires and laziness and fiercely protected by his a bit frantic and freakish mother Mayavati, later transforming into a much more likeable and admirable Rati. And it is this opening that sets the scene for a monumental transformation that is enlightening and encouraging to experience. Slowly, but surely, Vama the ‘weakling’ transforms into Pradyumna the warrior and someone who’s worthy of being the hero.
As mentioned above, I have no real knowledge about Indian mythology. Of course I have heard about a few of the important characters and gods, but nothing that would have helped me understand the backstory or make me able to see whether there was a lot of fiction mixed in. I do have to admit that for someone totally oblivious to the mythological world this book breathes and brings to life – especially for someone who’s less Asian-influenced and close to India than me – it would be a bit difficult to follow all the separate story lines, understand each minuscule and intricate connection and identify with common tales and themes. There are many characters, all very well fleshed out and awe-inspiring, and it can get somewhat confusing. That, however, does not take away anything from the story itself and the pleasure of sinking your teeth into the rich tapestry of it all.
What made reading such a delight was not only the great characterization and fast pace of the vividly told story but also the language and style of the author. It flows easily, effortlessly yet intelligently, and it matches the historical theme of the novel perfectly. No word seems too modern, no description too lengthy, no dialogue stilted. That is a high feat and speaks of the author’s prowess. I also got a feeling that Narayanan really loves the topic she has chosen, for it shines through in the energetic, sometimes almost loving story telling.
All in all, "Pradyumna – Son of Krishna" was a thoroughly enjoyable read that made me want to delve deeper into Indian mythology. I can highly recommend it to all who love historical fiction, fantasy and mythological tales.
This book tells many a tale, all woven into one colourful picture that left me at once intrigued and entertained. It’s like each chapter is a piece of a puzzle the author cleverly puts together. The center around which everything else revolves is Pradyumna, son of Krishna, depicted so beautifully on the cover and rarely written about in comparison to others. We first get to know him in the form of Vama, controlled by his bodily desires and laziness and fiercely protected by his a bit frantic and freakish mother Mayavati, later transforming into a much more likeable and admirable Rati. And it is this opening that sets the scene for a monumental transformation that is enlightening and encouraging to experience. Slowly, but surely, Vama the ‘weakling’ transforms into Pradyumna the warrior and someone who’s worthy of being the hero.
As mentioned above, I have no real knowledge about Indian mythology. Of course I have heard about a few of the important characters and gods, but nothing that would have helped me understand the backstory or make me able to see whether there was a lot of fiction mixed in. I do have to admit that for someone totally oblivious to the mythological world this book breathes and brings to life – especially for someone who’s less Asian-influenced and close to India than me – it would be a bit difficult to follow all the separate story lines, understand each minuscule and intricate connection and identify with common tales and themes. There are many characters, all very well fleshed out and awe-inspiring, and it can get somewhat confusing. That, however, does not take away anything from the story itself and the pleasure of sinking your teeth into the rich tapestry of it all.
What made reading such a delight was not only the great characterization and fast pace of the vividly told story but also the language and style of the author. It flows easily, effortlessly yet intelligently, and it matches the historical theme of the novel perfectly. No word seems too modern, no description too lengthy, no dialogue stilted. That is a high feat and speaks of the author’s prowess. I also got a feeling that Narayanan really loves the topic she has chosen, for it shines through in the energetic, sometimes almost loving story telling.
All in all, "Pradyumna – Son of Krishna" was a thoroughly enjoyable read that made me want to delve deeper into Indian mythology. I can highly recommend it to all who love historical fiction, fantasy and mythological tales.
September 3, 2015
A refreshingly new re-telling of the Mahabharat tradition from a new, yet unexplored perspective.. brings out the dichotomy between powerful deities incarnated as humans and heroic humans, as well as the mysterious workings of fate who all are bound by...
September 29, 2015
http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/09/b...
Rating: 4.5/5
Pradyumna: Son of Krishna by Usha Narayanan is the retelling of the story of Pradyumna who was the son of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Kama (God of Love) and one who later went on to become a great warrior. With a very imaginative dose of fiction thrown in, this is a very promising attempt by the author to recreate that glorious era of great Kings, magnificent yet deadly battles that created and changed the course of history and the time when Gods ventured the Earth as mere mortals.
The cover is beautiful and attractive. The blurb is intriguing and instantly attracts the readers' attention towards the book.
Indian Mythology has seen a sudden demand with more and more authors taking up well known historical Indian mythological stories and characters to write fictional stories of their own and while this has a definite appeal to us, readers, it also is like a double edged sword where too much imagination and distortion of known facts act as negative pointers for such books.
I recently read Amish's Scion of Ikshvaku and felt getting bored with so many changes happening to characters I had read about since childhood and somewhere this fictional account didn't agree with me. But here in Usha's book, Pradyumna: Son of Krishna, I am happy to say that the author expertly balances the known story with fiction and gave me a story that while upholding the facts also entertained me with vivid descriptions of events, characters and places, creating a real like picture in my mind. I was easily transported to the era of Kings and Queens with lavish palaces, wearing rich silks with an abundance of jewels adorning their bodies and the ongoing threat of wars from humans and demons alike. A time when Gods had taken the avatar in human form and one in which the world was so different from our present times.
I have enjoyed reading Usha Narayanan's previous book, The Madras Mangler and she proves her writing prowess in this book too. Jumping genres from crime to mythology, her writing is engaging, vivid and easy to understand. She uses simple language but still manages to create a mental picture in the readers' mind and succeeds in connecting the reader with her characters. Her language adjusts beautifully with an era when the designations, terminology and speaking patterns were so different from today. Everything right from the world building to character development to dialogues to the plot looks realistic and approachable.
The description of even the intimate scenes, the scenarios and the emotional state of characters is classically done without any crudeness seeping in.
I enjoyed reading about Pradyumna and some of my favourite characters from Indian mythology again and despite having read and listened to their stories since childhood, the book still managed to make me feel like I was meeting them for the first time. I stayed glued to the book right till the end and was thoroughly entertained.
All in all, Pradyumna: Son of Krishna is a beautifully written story that had me entertained throughout. 4.5 out of 5 to it and recommended to all book lovers. I hope there is a second part to this book and am eager to check it out.
I received the book from the author and the publishers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4.5/5
Pradyumna: Son of Krishna by Usha Narayanan is the retelling of the story of Pradyumna who was the son of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Kama (God of Love) and one who later went on to become a great warrior. With a very imaginative dose of fiction thrown in, this is a very promising attempt by the author to recreate that glorious era of great Kings, magnificent yet deadly battles that created and changed the course of history and the time when Gods ventured the Earth as mere mortals.
The cover is beautiful and attractive. The blurb is intriguing and instantly attracts the readers' attention towards the book.
Indian Mythology has seen a sudden demand with more and more authors taking up well known historical Indian mythological stories and characters to write fictional stories of their own and while this has a definite appeal to us, readers, it also is like a double edged sword where too much imagination and distortion of known facts act as negative pointers for such books.
I recently read Amish's Scion of Ikshvaku and felt getting bored with so many changes happening to characters I had read about since childhood and somewhere this fictional account didn't agree with me. But here in Usha's book, Pradyumna: Son of Krishna, I am happy to say that the author expertly balances the known story with fiction and gave me a story that while upholding the facts also entertained me with vivid descriptions of events, characters and places, creating a real like picture in my mind. I was easily transported to the era of Kings and Queens with lavish palaces, wearing rich silks with an abundance of jewels adorning their bodies and the ongoing threat of wars from humans and demons alike. A time when Gods had taken the avatar in human form and one in which the world was so different from our present times.
I have enjoyed reading Usha Narayanan's previous book, The Madras Mangler and she proves her writing prowess in this book too. Jumping genres from crime to mythology, her writing is engaging, vivid and easy to understand. She uses simple language but still manages to create a mental picture in the readers' mind and succeeds in connecting the reader with her characters. Her language adjusts beautifully with an era when the designations, terminology and speaking patterns were so different from today. Everything right from the world building to character development to dialogues to the plot looks realistic and approachable.
The description of even the intimate scenes, the scenarios and the emotional state of characters is classically done without any crudeness seeping in.
I enjoyed reading about Pradyumna and some of my favourite characters from Indian mythology again and despite having read and listened to their stories since childhood, the book still managed to make me feel like I was meeting them for the first time. I stayed glued to the book right till the end and was thoroughly entertained.
All in all, Pradyumna: Son of Krishna is a beautifully written story that had me entertained throughout. 4.5 out of 5 to it and recommended to all book lovers. I hope there is a second part to this book and am eager to check it out.
I received the book from the author and the publishers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
September 18, 2015
The story starts off well. It does good in spiking up your curiosity about Pradyumna then and his circumstances. The story moves ahead at a decent pace, revealing all about Pradyumna, his reality, and his heroic strengths in an eventual manner. Pradyumna’s story and the characters that are introduced along with it have been weaved with the known mythology really well. This was one thing that I absolutely loved about the way Usha has written her book.
Towards the end, however, the focus of the story shifts from Pradyumna. Not that the story becomes less intriguing or less interesting in any way. But considering that the book is supposed to be about Pradyumna, I felt that at least how events in the lives of his loved ones impacted him should’ve been brought out a little more strongly.
For example, the book ends with an incident that has Krishna at the centre stage. I would’ve liked to see how those final words impacted Pradyumna (to know more, please please do read the book).
I am, however, going to reiterate here that this doesn’t make the story any less intriguing. The story is filled with episodes of very interesting episodes of mythology and Usha’s writing is elegant.
Usha was a celebrated author much before I heard about her, her first book,The Madras Mangler, steadily climbing up the bestseller charts. After reading Pradyumna, I know why.
And now, for the icing on the cake! The book has a sequel too :D :D :D I just cannot wait for it!
Towards the end, however, the focus of the story shifts from Pradyumna. Not that the story becomes less intriguing or less interesting in any way. But considering that the book is supposed to be about Pradyumna, I felt that at least how events in the lives of his loved ones impacted him should’ve been brought out a little more strongly.
For example, the book ends with an incident that has Krishna at the centre stage. I would’ve liked to see how those final words impacted Pradyumna (to know more, please please do read the book).
I am, however, going to reiterate here that this doesn’t make the story any less intriguing. The story is filled with episodes of very interesting episodes of mythology and Usha’s writing is elegant.
Usha was a celebrated author much before I heard about her, her first book,The Madras Mangler, steadily climbing up the bestseller charts. After reading Pradyumna, I know why.
And now, for the icing on the cake! The book has a sequel too :D :D :D I just cannot wait for it!
December 12, 2015
Cover: The cover shows valiant Pradyumna emerging victorious from the battlefield but which one for his battles are many.
Between the pages: Though skeptical about reading another book on Kama as I recently read one on the same lines but being a mythology fan its kya karo control nahi hotha moment and picked up the book with curiosity to know what it has new to offer and I did not regret a bit.
We have heard of Krishna's raas leelas, his valor and divinity. Can his son be any less than him?
Kama, the one who can ignite passion in Gods has been sidelined and his part is limited to that of turning into ashes by Shiva. However Usha has brought to life the magnanimity of the character not just of Kama but to his earthly form Pradyumna as well.
The author has beautifully interlaced the various elements to form a gripping story. I soared high in the sky on Garuda, lived in the place of Kaalasura, stuck by the beauty of the blue God city and all this by the magic of Usha's writing, a blend of creativity and eye for detail.
The language simple (read understandable and impeccable) yet brings out the grandeur which elevates the reading experience manifold. The author has striked a perfect balance in the divine characters keeping in touch with their human emotions. Looking forward to read the sequel.
A rapt read and holds your attention from the beginning to end. A book that you cannot afford to miss if you are a mythology fan!
Between the pages: Though skeptical about reading another book on Kama as I recently read one on the same lines but being a mythology fan its kya karo control nahi hotha moment and picked up the book with curiosity to know what it has new to offer and I did not regret a bit.
We have heard of Krishna's raas leelas, his valor and divinity. Can his son be any less than him?
Kama, the one who can ignite passion in Gods has been sidelined and his part is limited to that of turning into ashes by Shiva. However Usha has brought to life the magnanimity of the character not just of Kama but to his earthly form Pradyumna as well.
The author has beautifully interlaced the various elements to form a gripping story. I soared high in the sky on Garuda, lived in the place of Kaalasura, stuck by the beauty of the blue God city and all this by the magic of Usha's writing, a blend of creativity and eye for detail.
The language simple (read understandable and impeccable) yet brings out the grandeur which elevates the reading experience manifold. The author has striked a perfect balance in the divine characters keeping in touch with their human emotions. Looking forward to read the sequel.
A rapt read and holds your attention from the beginning to end. A book that you cannot afford to miss if you are a mythology fan!
September 21, 2015
I am totally humbled by the kind of research and hard work that must have gone into creating this masterpiece. A special Kudos to Usha Narayanan for that!
Though I have heard a lot of stories on Krishna and do recognise the name of Pradyumna, I haven’t heard many stories about the hero. So, I was fascinated to read this book on him. I really can’t say how much of fact and fiction have been woven into it, but it makes for a truly fascinating read.
The language is very important to watch out for in such stories. No use of modern words and slang. I must say it’s a monumental achievement that this book is perfectly written in terms of language.
The metamorphosis of the womanising weakling Vama into the heroic Pradyumna is amazingly portrayed. In contrast, Mayavati – first his mother and then later discovered to actually be his consort – appears like a caricature – at least until she remains Vama’s mother. Her screeching and screaming as a jealous mother kind of takes away from the graceful person Rati is later shown to be.
The descriptions are splendid. I especially enjoyed reading about the description of Garuda spreading his golden wings across a huge span. I could so imagine him in my mind’s eye, the way the author has written it.
Read full review on my blog: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in...
Though I have heard a lot of stories on Krishna and do recognise the name of Pradyumna, I haven’t heard many stories about the hero. So, I was fascinated to read this book on him. I really can’t say how much of fact and fiction have been woven into it, but it makes for a truly fascinating read.
The language is very important to watch out for in such stories. No use of modern words and slang. I must say it’s a monumental achievement that this book is perfectly written in terms of language.
The metamorphosis of the womanising weakling Vama into the heroic Pradyumna is amazingly portrayed. In contrast, Mayavati – first his mother and then later discovered to actually be his consort – appears like a caricature – at least until she remains Vama’s mother. Her screeching and screaming as a jealous mother kind of takes away from the graceful person Rati is later shown to be.
The descriptions are splendid. I especially enjoyed reading about the description of Garuda spreading his golden wings across a huge span. I could so imagine him in my mind’s eye, the way the author has written it.
Read full review on my blog: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in...
November 2, 2015
Asuras roar and mouth imprecations. The nobility employs regal converse. The gods are a step above. Unlike another famous contemporary Myth writer, who holds the ancients by the collar and coerces them into uber-cool lingo, Usha Narayanan's language is refreshingly true to character and thus credible.
The pace is fast and furious as one is transported across palaces and gardens, heaven and the netherworld, and battlefields galore.
Characters are consistently constructed, again reinforcing credibility.
Descriptions are lavish, especially the different locales, cities and war scenes elevating them to an environment of reality. A movie producer could well pick up the rights for a Baahubali-like magnum opus.
The book ends on a logical note, complete yet whetting the appetite for Part 2.
I loved the language for the mastery, deftness and absolutely perfect control.
Amazing to note that The Madras Mangler was penned by the same author! The rabidly different styles showcases the supreme command of the language and the complete commitment of 'being in the moment' of each genre. Very disciplined writing.
Kudos Usha, look forward to the sequel! For BOTH :-)!
The pace is fast and furious as one is transported across palaces and gardens, heaven and the netherworld, and battlefields galore.
Characters are consistently constructed, again reinforcing credibility.
Descriptions are lavish, especially the different locales, cities and war scenes elevating them to an environment of reality. A movie producer could well pick up the rights for a Baahubali-like magnum opus.
The book ends on a logical note, complete yet whetting the appetite for Part 2.
I loved the language for the mastery, deftness and absolutely perfect control.
Amazing to note that The Madras Mangler was penned by the same author! The rabidly different styles showcases the supreme command of the language and the complete commitment of 'being in the moment' of each genre. Very disciplined writing.
Kudos Usha, look forward to the sequel! For BOTH :-)!
October 5, 2015
The author deserves full credit for the research work that had gone into the book. The glossary at the end of the book is very helpful. The language is simple and easily understandable and the chapters are short letting the readers absorb the story in detail. The scenes have been described so well that I could almost visualize them. Initially, it took me a bit of time for the reader to get a feel of the story and once that sets in, the book cannot be kept down. I desperately wanted to know what happens next. The language is simple and the flow is good. There are many characters in the story, like a multi-starrer but this does not confuse the reader.
Highly recommended for the lovers of mythology.
Highly recommended for the lovers of mythology.
April 10, 2016
A great read that adds to popularity of Indian mythological fiction.
For a complete review, click on the link below or paste the link to your browser.
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/20...
For a complete review, click on the link below or paste the link to your browser.
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/20...
September 28, 2015
The Story..
Is one which many of us have heard as 'grandparent's tale', cuddled in our blankets during the cold wintry nights. I did. My tryst with mytho started with Rick Riordon. Not very authentic but he got me interested in the mighty ones above us. Pradyumna or rather Kama is my personal favourite. Not because of Kama Sutra, but due to the pain he has endured in love, after being the God of Love. Strange how the Greeks, Romans and we Indians have the same sagas for our Gods. Cupid or Kama both come out as star-crossed lover of their respective realms.
"He could no longer see anything. His senses were fading. He was plummeting into a dark abyss. "
Ms.Narayanan takes us in a journey where Lord Kama is reborn as Pradyumna and fate plays a role by sending him to fulfill his destiny. Rati too has taken the form of Mayavati as she waits for her lord to reach his age of maturity.
‘He does not realize that Mayavati lusts for her son and not for her husband.’
Here comes a quirk of nature. The lover has to take the role of the mother. Ms. Narayanan has mixed facts with fiction in creating a challenging situation where Mayavati would maintain her chastity till Pradyumna does not accept her. (Please keep your feminism aside when you read mythology.) Mayavati is presented as the favorite queen of the Asura Kaalasura and an over protective mother to Vama aka Pradyumna. Her protectiveness is seen as incest by a few. But as a reader, we already know from the beginning that she is Rati.
Weaving of Tales
Ms. Narayana has woven many small-small tales together, though the central character is Pradyumna. Stories of Ghatotkacha, Abhimanyu, Krishna etc are all in relationship with Pradyumna. Though the story starts as a love story between Mayavati and Vama, the focus is not romance. It covers many a topics like the rise and fall of the Yadus, death of Abhimanyu and of course an untold one - the clash between the two brothers - Samba and Pradyumna. ( I'm sure Ms.Narayanan is planning the second part as I write this review)
Essence of mythology
In a mythology, authors have to maintain the authenticity of the period. In this regard, Ms. Narayanan has not disappointed me. The clothing, the dialogues were in lieu with the times. It shows the great research work done by the author.
"Peacocks danced on the lawns and called to them as they entered the palace. Strings of pearls dangled from canopies above and ornate seats were laid out in the spacious halls. "
Fact vs Fiction
No two authors can be compared. But in the genre of mythology there are two sects of writers. One who has more fiction and less facts like Amsih Tripathi and Rick Riordon and one who has more facts with tiny bits and pieces of fictions woven in the story like Devdutt Pattanaik. Ms. Narayanan belongs to the latter. My only peeve would be, as a lover of mythology, I wanted some of the re-telling part to have been more imaginative. Yes of course, the presentation is unique to the author, but parts where Gandhari broke down or Abhimanyu met his death, was more of a re-telling rather than weaving in of imagination that would transport us to the battlefield.
But again parts where Mayavati faces the Rakshashas or is presented as a jealous mother. Or even the hatred between Rukmini and Jambavati has a lot of emotional drama - enough for one to visualize the scenes. Very well written.
REASONING FOR THE STAR RATING: Check it out @ The Book Club text
Is one which many of us have heard as 'grandparent's tale', cuddled in our blankets during the cold wintry nights. I did. My tryst with mytho started with Rick Riordon. Not very authentic but he got me interested in the mighty ones above us. Pradyumna or rather Kama is my personal favourite. Not because of Kama Sutra, but due to the pain he has endured in love, after being the God of Love. Strange how the Greeks, Romans and we Indians have the same sagas for our Gods. Cupid or Kama both come out as star-crossed lover of their respective realms.
"He could no longer see anything. His senses were fading. He was plummeting into a dark abyss. "
Ms.Narayanan takes us in a journey where Lord Kama is reborn as Pradyumna and fate plays a role by sending him to fulfill his destiny. Rati too has taken the form of Mayavati as she waits for her lord to reach his age of maturity.
‘He does not realize that Mayavati lusts for her son and not for her husband.’
Here comes a quirk of nature. The lover has to take the role of the mother. Ms. Narayanan has mixed facts with fiction in creating a challenging situation where Mayavati would maintain her chastity till Pradyumna does not accept her. (Please keep your feminism aside when you read mythology.) Mayavati is presented as the favorite queen of the Asura Kaalasura and an over protective mother to Vama aka Pradyumna. Her protectiveness is seen as incest by a few. But as a reader, we already know from the beginning that she is Rati.
Weaving of Tales
Ms. Narayana has woven many small-small tales together, though the central character is Pradyumna. Stories of Ghatotkacha, Abhimanyu, Krishna etc are all in relationship with Pradyumna. Though the story starts as a love story between Mayavati and Vama, the focus is not romance. It covers many a topics like the rise and fall of the Yadus, death of Abhimanyu and of course an untold one - the clash between the two brothers - Samba and Pradyumna. ( I'm sure Ms.Narayanan is planning the second part as I write this review)
Essence of mythology
In a mythology, authors have to maintain the authenticity of the period. In this regard, Ms. Narayanan has not disappointed me. The clothing, the dialogues were in lieu with the times. It shows the great research work done by the author.
"Peacocks danced on the lawns and called to them as they entered the palace. Strings of pearls dangled from canopies above and ornate seats were laid out in the spacious halls. "
Fact vs Fiction
No two authors can be compared. But in the genre of mythology there are two sects of writers. One who has more fiction and less facts like Amsih Tripathi and Rick Riordon and one who has more facts with tiny bits and pieces of fictions woven in the story like Devdutt Pattanaik. Ms. Narayanan belongs to the latter. My only peeve would be, as a lover of mythology, I wanted some of the re-telling part to have been more imaginative. Yes of course, the presentation is unique to the author, but parts where Gandhari broke down or Abhimanyu met his death, was more of a re-telling rather than weaving in of imagination that would transport us to the battlefield.
But again parts where Mayavati faces the Rakshashas or is presented as a jealous mother. Or even the hatred between Rukmini and Jambavati has a lot of emotional drama - enough for one to visualize the scenes. Very well written.
REASONING FOR THE STAR RATING: Check it out @ The Book Club text
December 8, 2015
PRADYUMNA is a tale of fantasy and mythology mixed with a liberal doze of exploits, adventure, magic and the unfathomable power of Gods. When I picked this book, I was immediately engrossed in the action and drama unfolding. The pace was fast and the so was the action. The book moves back and forth from two different times and I was eager to know how Krishna’s son was going to claim his legacy.
The book is for mythology fans as it tells story from the point of view of another character not much heard of. I for one was not aware of Krishna’s son let alone sons. How the author has narrated his tale and linked it with the more popular stories that have been written to death is unique about the book. With this new action hero the author has managed to pique our interest into the lesser known but equally worthy heroes.
This is the second book by Usha Narayanan and the first that I have read. The book has excellent language, no errors and the extensive use of the traditional names and words of that time make the book a more interesting read. The book shines where language is concerned and the author’s way with words comes through the pages. The sad part is that while reading the book it starting feeling like a crash course in all the endless fighting and wars from our mythology. The author has added so much of detail and related stories about each and every character that it eventually made it a very heavy read for me. I do read mythology and am interested in it but I am not too crazy about it so maybe that’s why I found it a bit much.
Mahabharta and Ramayana and background stories on almost all major and lots of minor gods had me wondering at times about the links and connections to the present situation. All it felt like was Pradyumna was fighting or finding another wife or saving one from a demon! It really was the evil times and as I finished the book I realized the real terror and Kali Yuga was yet to come!
How much more evil can the world take? What more will Pradyumna have to face before he finds his destiny? The book manages to give all the answers in this book but the new ones have us looking forward for book 2. Pradyumna works on various levels; it is a book easy to read with the lovely flow of language. The characters jump out and shine. Whether it was his brother Samba or the many princesses or the evil demons, all have been brought to life by Usha.
The characters and personalities have been etched in detail each one different from the next, all this adding to the story and action of the book. I hope the second book concentrates more on the Pradyumna and less on the other gods. True, all action from the many Gods has an effect on his life and times but I was more into knowing his mind and story.
A delight to read with the elegant prose by Usha Narayanan; now I am off to pick her new release “Love, Lies and Layoffs” A new perspective and insight about our mythology and many unknown stories, all bought to life by Usha in this book. The ancients had their unique ways, life and wisdom all shine through the pages of Pradyumna.
(© I received a copy of the book from the author , this is my honest review.)
The book is for mythology fans as it tells story from the point of view of another character not much heard of. I for one was not aware of Krishna’s son let alone sons. How the author has narrated his tale and linked it with the more popular stories that have been written to death is unique about the book. With this new action hero the author has managed to pique our interest into the lesser known but equally worthy heroes.
This is the second book by Usha Narayanan and the first that I have read. The book has excellent language, no errors and the extensive use of the traditional names and words of that time make the book a more interesting read. The book shines where language is concerned and the author’s way with words comes through the pages. The sad part is that while reading the book it starting feeling like a crash course in all the endless fighting and wars from our mythology. The author has added so much of detail and related stories about each and every character that it eventually made it a very heavy read for me. I do read mythology and am interested in it but I am not too crazy about it so maybe that’s why I found it a bit much.
Mahabharta and Ramayana and background stories on almost all major and lots of minor gods had me wondering at times about the links and connections to the present situation. All it felt like was Pradyumna was fighting or finding another wife or saving one from a demon! It really was the evil times and as I finished the book I realized the real terror and Kali Yuga was yet to come!
How much more evil can the world take? What more will Pradyumna have to face before he finds his destiny? The book manages to give all the answers in this book but the new ones have us looking forward for book 2. Pradyumna works on various levels; it is a book easy to read with the lovely flow of language. The characters jump out and shine. Whether it was his brother Samba or the many princesses or the evil demons, all have been brought to life by Usha.
The characters and personalities have been etched in detail each one different from the next, all this adding to the story and action of the book. I hope the second book concentrates more on the Pradyumna and less on the other gods. True, all action from the many Gods has an effect on his life and times but I was more into knowing his mind and story.
A delight to read with the elegant prose by Usha Narayanan; now I am off to pick her new release “Love, Lies and Layoffs” A new perspective and insight about our mythology and many unknown stories, all bought to life by Usha in this book. The ancients had their unique ways, life and wisdom all shine through the pages of Pradyumna.
(© I received a copy of the book from the author , this is my honest review.)
September 22, 2015
WRITING:
Rating: 4.5/5
Usha Narayanan startles us by writing a story in such a lucid language that is able to draw in readers so easily. The way she is able to put magic into her words is just phenomenal. I would have rated it 5, but I never rate anything full score. Nothing is ever perfect, but I really wanted to give her. Her writing is a clear mix of clean language and fluid prose, something that is tough to find in books these days. By writing alone, this book needs to sell.
CHARACTERS:
Rating: 4/5
I particularly loved the metamorphosis that the protagonist goes through: from the weakling Vama to a strong Pradyumna. His character development and thoughts as to the stages he was in are in perfect sync. The other characters are equally well done, like Samba, Krishna, Rukmini, Jambavati, etc. I do wish I had gotten to see Balarama more. I did feel he was sidelined a little. Even though it was Pradyumna's story, his interactions with his uncle are minimal.
The Asuras are well described. Their behavior is succinct and quite similar to what we have always read in mythology: full of ego and overconfidence.
STORY:
RATING: 4/5
The author crafts a well-written and well told story. She has described the world well. The mythology is almost accurate. I only wish she could have done the fight scenes a little different from the ones described in the scriptures. One need not be so accurate while describing fight scenes. However, I must say the accuracy was spot on.
The story progressed at a steady flow without any hiccups. The author has done her research well and one should applaud all the hard work she has done. The author has strived to use a balance of show and tell, which is what I look forward in a book. Too much tell can make a reader put off and too much show can be a bit overboard sometimes. The story is an easy read and one can complete it in one go. Somewhere in the middle, the story loses its pace, but it regains it quickly. The bonus is the stories involving other characters, however short.
VERDICT:
RATING: 4.5/5
A must read if you are interested in mythological works. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and pick it up at a store near you.
Rating: 4.5/5
Usha Narayanan startles us by writing a story in such a lucid language that is able to draw in readers so easily. The way she is able to put magic into her words is just phenomenal. I would have rated it 5, but I never rate anything full score. Nothing is ever perfect, but I really wanted to give her. Her writing is a clear mix of clean language and fluid prose, something that is tough to find in books these days. By writing alone, this book needs to sell.
CHARACTERS:
Rating: 4/5
I particularly loved the metamorphosis that the protagonist goes through: from the weakling Vama to a strong Pradyumna. His character development and thoughts as to the stages he was in are in perfect sync. The other characters are equally well done, like Samba, Krishna, Rukmini, Jambavati, etc. I do wish I had gotten to see Balarama more. I did feel he was sidelined a little. Even though it was Pradyumna's story, his interactions with his uncle are minimal.
The Asuras are well described. Their behavior is succinct and quite similar to what we have always read in mythology: full of ego and overconfidence.
STORY:
RATING: 4/5
The author crafts a well-written and well told story. She has described the world well. The mythology is almost accurate. I only wish she could have done the fight scenes a little different from the ones described in the scriptures. One need not be so accurate while describing fight scenes. However, I must say the accuracy was spot on.
The story progressed at a steady flow without any hiccups. The author has done her research well and one should applaud all the hard work she has done. The author has strived to use a balance of show and tell, which is what I look forward in a book. Too much tell can make a reader put off and too much show can be a bit overboard sometimes. The story is an easy read and one can complete it in one go. Somewhere in the middle, the story loses its pace, but it regains it quickly. The bonus is the stories involving other characters, however short.
VERDICT:
RATING: 4.5/5
A must read if you are interested in mythological works. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and pick it up at a store near you.
October 16, 2015
My Review:
I'll start this with a little confession: Mythology is one of two genres I always liked the least; the other one being horror. Wait; there's a third too; add erotica to the list. (sorry E.L James). Grunting over.
Coming back to Pradyumna, it is written by a writer who I revere, Usha Narayanan. Naturally, I had to give the genre, another try. It pleasantly turned out to be one of the better decisions I had ever made. Everything about this book is pure perfection; right from the way the writer has described the dresses worn by the kings, to the palaces, to the tightly-bound story line.
Storyline:
Everyone of us in India would probably know about the battle of Mahabharata between Kauravas and Pandavas, the Trideva, and the Lord Krishna. Not many of though, would know about Vama, who Kalasura, the demon king had kidnapped and handed over to his queen Mayawati. Vama, who was KamDeva reborn, the diety of love, was taken care by queen Mayawati, who was actually the reincarnation of his wife, Rati.
The story goes on to tell how Vama turns out to be the stolen son of Lord Krishna, Pradyumna; and his story of turning from a lecherous weakling who was always surrounded by women; to a mighty warrior who goes on to defeat and kill mighty asuras in the war field.
I liked:
It would be cliched to say 'everything', right? Alright, I'll try and name a few special ones. I liked that in spite of being a professional editor and proofreader and reading the book twice, I couldn't find a single error I could put a finger on; which I must admit is a first for any one coming from Penguin factory that I've read. I'm sure the writer would have done extensive editing work herself, before handing it over to the publishers.
The writer has also managed to keep a perfect balance, between true mythological facts and some scenes which fall in the category of truth-well-told.
What I loved is how the writer ends each chapter with a question, to be answered in the coming ones. A hook to keep the readers bound and enchanted; a masterstroke, Ms Narayanan, and absolute masterstroke.
I disliked:
that it ended. :)
My take:
GRAB IT TODAY; thank me later.
I'll start this with a little confession: Mythology is one of two genres I always liked the least; the other one being horror. Wait; there's a third too; add erotica to the list. (sorry E.L James). Grunting over.
Coming back to Pradyumna, it is written by a writer who I revere, Usha Narayanan. Naturally, I had to give the genre, another try. It pleasantly turned out to be one of the better decisions I had ever made. Everything about this book is pure perfection; right from the way the writer has described the dresses worn by the kings, to the palaces, to the tightly-bound story line.
Storyline:
Everyone of us in India would probably know about the battle of Mahabharata between Kauravas and Pandavas, the Trideva, and the Lord Krishna. Not many of though, would know about Vama, who Kalasura, the demon king had kidnapped and handed over to his queen Mayawati. Vama, who was KamDeva reborn, the diety of love, was taken care by queen Mayawati, who was actually the reincarnation of his wife, Rati.
The story goes on to tell how Vama turns out to be the stolen son of Lord Krishna, Pradyumna; and his story of turning from a lecherous weakling who was always surrounded by women; to a mighty warrior who goes on to defeat and kill mighty asuras in the war field.
I liked:
It would be cliched to say 'everything', right? Alright, I'll try and name a few special ones. I liked that in spite of being a professional editor and proofreader and reading the book twice, I couldn't find a single error I could put a finger on; which I must admit is a first for any one coming from Penguin factory that I've read. I'm sure the writer would have done extensive editing work herself, before handing it over to the publishers.
The writer has also managed to keep a perfect balance, between true mythological facts and some scenes which fall in the category of truth-well-told.
What I loved is how the writer ends each chapter with a question, to be answered in the coming ones. A hook to keep the readers bound and enchanted; a masterstroke, Ms Narayanan, and absolute masterstroke.
I disliked:
that it ended. :)
My take:
GRAB IT TODAY; thank me later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2015
The story starts off well. It does good in spiking up your curiosity about Pradyumna then and his circumstances. The story moves ahead at a decent pace, revealing all about Pradyumna, his reality, and his heroic strengths in an eventual manner. Pradyumna’s story and the characters that are introduced along with it have been weaved with the known mythology really well. This was one thing that I absolutely loved about the way Usha has written her book.
Towards the end, however, the focus of the story shifts from Pradyumna. Not that the story becomes less intriguing or less interesting in any way. But considering that the book is supposed to be about Pradyumna, I felt that at least how events in the lives of his loved ones impacted him should’ve been brought out a little more strongly.
For example, the book ends with an incident that has Krishna at the centre stage. I would’ve liked to see how those final words impacted Pradyumna (to know more, please please do read the book).
I am, however, going to reiterate here that this doesn’t make the story any less intriguing. The story is filled with episodes of very interesting episodes of mythology and Usha’s writing is elegant.
Usha was a celebrated author much before I heard about her, her first book,The Madras Mangler, steadily climbing up the bestseller charts. After reading Pradyumna, I know why.
Towards the end, however, the focus of the story shifts from Pradyumna. Not that the story becomes less intriguing or less interesting in any way. But considering that the book is supposed to be about Pradyumna, I felt that at least how events in the lives of his loved ones impacted him should’ve been brought out a little more strongly.
For example, the book ends with an incident that has Krishna at the centre stage. I would’ve liked to see how those final words impacted Pradyumna (to know more, please please do read the book).
I am, however, going to reiterate here that this doesn’t make the story any less intriguing. The story is filled with episodes of very interesting episodes of mythology and Usha’s writing is elegant.
Usha was a celebrated author much before I heard about her, her first book,The Madras Mangler, steadily climbing up the bestseller charts. After reading Pradyumna, I know why.
February 3, 2016
Originally Published on www.shanayatales.com
It is no secret that I absolutely adore everything about Krishna, the blue God. I find his persona to be extremely intriguing, and equally endearing. So I am always curious to read more about him – in any way that I can. Mostly, this just translates to reading Mahabharata from several different POVs. Which is why, when I first got to know of this book, based on Pradyumna – the son of Krishna, it felt like a refreshing change.
While I have heard of Pradyumna in passing, I have never read much about the son, whose life must have been heavily influenced by his father. This was a new lens to view Krishna from, so I was pretty excited to read this book.
The plot mostly revolves around the life of Pradyumna, but the author has also weaved several other small tales around the main story line. Read More
It is no secret that I absolutely adore everything about Krishna, the blue God. I find his persona to be extremely intriguing, and equally endearing. So I am always curious to read more about him – in any way that I can. Mostly, this just translates to reading Mahabharata from several different POVs. Which is why, when I first got to know of this book, based on Pradyumna – the son of Krishna, it felt like a refreshing change.
While I have heard of Pradyumna in passing, I have never read much about the son, whose life must have been heavily influenced by his father. This was a new lens to view Krishna from, so I was pretty excited to read this book.
The plot mostly revolves around the life of Pradyumna, but the author has also weaved several other small tales around the main story line. Read More
November 26, 2015
Here's a book who's cover singularly provided more than enough fodder for my creative brain to conjure up images as Usha Narayanan unleashed her flawless storytelling.
And what a subject to have hit upon! I applaud Usha Narayanan for waving her magic wand and turning the comparatively lesser popular mythological stories based on Krishna's children into this gripping saga of the rise of a swashbuckling hero. I imagine it must have been quite a task at hand to weave a long tale from short anecdotes and slivers of stories available on the characters that flourish in this book. I'm sure intense research and painstaking attention to detail went into each page. And will it sound redundant if I said that its turned out into a brilliant book?
Read the full review at
http://klishmaklaver.blogspot.in/2015...
And what a subject to have hit upon! I applaud Usha Narayanan for waving her magic wand and turning the comparatively lesser popular mythological stories based on Krishna's children into this gripping saga of the rise of a swashbuckling hero. I imagine it must have been quite a task at hand to weave a long tale from short anecdotes and slivers of stories available on the characters that flourish in this book. I'm sure intense research and painstaking attention to detail went into each page. And will it sound redundant if I said that its turned out into a brilliant book?
Read the full review at
http://klishmaklaver.blogspot.in/2015...
January 23, 2016
We have read lot of books about Lord Krishna . But nothing much about sons of Krishna .
Pradyumna is the most powerful & famous son of Lord Krishna. On his birth, he is separated from his parents . Destiny takes him to the land of Asura king Kaalasura . Later he realises who he is & who is real parents were . He wins many wars & brings pride to his father Lord Krishna .
Overall a wonderful book about the bravery of Praduyumna, the son of lord Krishna ....
Pradyumna is the most powerful & famous son of Lord Krishna. On his birth, he is separated from his parents . Destiny takes him to the land of Asura king Kaalasura . Later he realises who he is & who is real parents were . He wins many wars & brings pride to his father Lord Krishna .
Overall a wonderful book about the bravery of Praduyumna, the son of lord Krishna ....
May 24, 2016
I liked it very much, all the short stories along the narration are very good.
The story line is ultimate and the description of the wars are awesome.All the heroism may be a bit monotonous but the Indian readers will find it nice.
The literature was good for an average Indian reader and it is fine.
Final word is it is a very good book to read and the character is ultimate.
The story line is ultimate and the description of the wars are awesome.All the heroism may be a bit monotonous but the Indian readers will find it nice.
The literature was good for an average Indian reader and it is fine.
Final word is it is a very good book to read and the character is ultimate.
February 29, 2016
This truly was one book which lived up to its pre and post release hype, although I would have loved it to become a 'bigger bestseller' than it finally turned out to be. Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2016/0...
October 3, 2015
Read about this book on my blog:
https://webookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
https://webookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
September 27, 2015
Such a great Journey! I really recommend this book to everyone who wants know about Mythology. Waiting for the next book to release.
August 31, 2016
It felt like I was jumping from a brick to brick while crossing a stream. Small stories strung together felt unconnected with the little connections washed away by the stream.
July 9, 2016
A good book! I enjoyed reading it! Well written! I look forward to its sequel.
June 8, 2017
Let me say upfront that this book irritated me. I couldn't wait for it to end. And here's why:
I enjoyed the first 13 chapters, where we see the growth of Vama to Pradyumna, and the story of the birth of Krishna's two sons. The chapters before warfare began. Once Pradyumna started fighting battles with asuras, there seemed to be no end to them. There is a battle on every page, and the book is seeped in typical male war heroism. I was thoroughly bored of the wars halfway into the book.
Why is every single woman a voluptuous beauty? Why does everyone keep getting married and have asura and mortal princesses to seduce or abduct? Why is every asura ugly and evil? How is it that so many asuras keep getting boons from gods and need to be killed in gory battles later? Of course, they are part of the myths, but couldn't the writer have controlled the number of times war and beauty and evil and weddings repeat on her pages? I'm starting to feel that the concept of karma and destiny are overused and abused by Indian myths.
There are set characters - either all evil or all good - and Pradyumna's own character-growth is glorified. If there are insights into how characters think, it is feeble and typical - no one seems to learn lessons from others' lives/experiences or from elders' advices. Jambavati and Samba annoyed me the most. Such stock envious personalities! Krishna hovers on the pages as a shadow of his magnificence, allowing Pradyumna the limelight (which is fine, by the way. After all the book is about Pradyumna).
I also felt that there has been an attempt to clutter the book with tales-within-tales, a sort of showing off of how many stories have been dug up during research. Stories seem to pop up just like that - "let me tell you this story" and off we go. I think intelligent myth retellings of Anand Neelakantan, MT Vasudevan Nair and Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee have spoilt me. I cannot enjoy normal retellings, I cannot appreciate the research done by the author to put the story of this less-popular character on the shelves.
I enjoyed the first 13 chapters, where we see the growth of Vama to Pradyumna, and the story of the birth of Krishna's two sons. The chapters before warfare began. Once Pradyumna started fighting battles with asuras, there seemed to be no end to them. There is a battle on every page, and the book is seeped in typical male war heroism. I was thoroughly bored of the wars halfway into the book.
Why is every single woman a voluptuous beauty? Why does everyone keep getting married and have asura and mortal princesses to seduce or abduct? Why is every asura ugly and evil? How is it that so many asuras keep getting boons from gods and need to be killed in gory battles later? Of course, they are part of the myths, but couldn't the writer have controlled the number of times war and beauty and evil and weddings repeat on her pages? I'm starting to feel that the concept of karma and destiny are overused and abused by Indian myths.
There are set characters - either all evil or all good - and Pradyumna's own character-growth is glorified. If there are insights into how characters think, it is feeble and typical - no one seems to learn lessons from others' lives/experiences or from elders' advices. Jambavati and Samba annoyed me the most. Such stock envious personalities! Krishna hovers on the pages as a shadow of his magnificence, allowing Pradyumna the limelight (which is fine, by the way. After all the book is about Pradyumna).
I also felt that there has been an attempt to clutter the book with tales-within-tales, a sort of showing off of how many stories have been dug up during research. Stories seem to pop up just like that - "let me tell you this story" and off we go. I think intelligent myth retellings of Anand Neelakantan, MT Vasudevan Nair and Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee have spoilt me. I cannot enjoy normal retellings, I cannot appreciate the research done by the author to put the story of this less-popular character on the shelves.
June 26, 2025
I've always been deeply invested in Indian mythology, so when I came across this book, I knew I had to read about Krishna and Rukmini’s son. With parents as powerful as them, it was obvious Pradyumna would be extraordinary—but I didn’t realize how extraordinary until I started reading.
The revelation that Pradyumna was the reincarnation of Kama Dev took me by surprise. I had never come across this detail before, and it really underscored the depth of research that must have gone into writing this book. It was fascinating to learn so much about a character who’s usually just a footnote in Krishna’s larger narrative.
This was truly an enlightening read! While the story takes many tangents and introduces a range of characters, anyone familiar with the Mahabharata will find it easy to follow. That said, I was quite surprised that Radha wasn’t mentioned even once. For me, Dwarka always felt incomplete without her presence. Krishna’s children—whether they loved him or, like Sambha, resented him—knew of Radha. I understand that the book wasn’t focused on the Radha-Krishna dynamic, but her complete omission felt a little jarring.
What I particularly loved is how this book aligns with the style of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novels—focusing on individual characters from our vast epics and giving them depth, voice, and perspective. If you're a fan of her work, this one will absolutely resonate with you.
Overall, I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking to connect (or reconnect) with their roots without committing to long TV serials or the weighty epics themselves. It’s a powerful, well-researched dive into a lesser-known but equally compelling figure in our mythology.
The revelation that Pradyumna was the reincarnation of Kama Dev took me by surprise. I had never come across this detail before, and it really underscored the depth of research that must have gone into writing this book. It was fascinating to learn so much about a character who’s usually just a footnote in Krishna’s larger narrative.
This was truly an enlightening read! While the story takes many tangents and introduces a range of characters, anyone familiar with the Mahabharata will find it easy to follow. That said, I was quite surprised that Radha wasn’t mentioned even once. For me, Dwarka always felt incomplete without her presence. Krishna’s children—whether they loved him or, like Sambha, resented him—knew of Radha. I understand that the book wasn’t focused on the Radha-Krishna dynamic, but her complete omission felt a little jarring.
What I particularly loved is how this book aligns with the style of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novels—focusing on individual characters from our vast epics and giving them depth, voice, and perspective. If you're a fan of her work, this one will absolutely resonate with you.
Overall, I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking to connect (or reconnect) with their roots without committing to long TV serials or the weighty epics themselves. It’s a powerful, well-researched dive into a lesser-known but equally compelling figure in our mythology.
April 18, 2020
This book started off well and the narration is beautiful like a poem and the story pushes forward but then it gets extremely monotonous with very very large number of characters. I had heard these stories from Tamil literature as a kid so I was able to relate to them but then it’s war between different good and the evil and the characters keeps coming. There is Krishna his son his grandson and then another son, the fights of each of Krishna, his sons and his grandsons and different demons, phew! I think this book should be read over a long time. I read it once and abandoned it midway and then again I restarted from scratch. That probably was a bad idea because it just turned out to be never ending and I kept loosing focus. For the work, I should give a 4 or 5 star but then there could have been a better way to depict relationships or something so it gets more interesting.
After a few hours after writing above I thought of adding this. This book is actually an amazing “translation” or rework. All the Tamil literature needs to be rewritten this way. There are lots of profound intelligence embedded in the stories.
Maybe like I have heard these stories growing up as a kid from my grand parents and aunts the stories should be told over and over to our new generation as well.
After a few hours after writing above I thought of adding this. This book is actually an amazing “translation” or rework. All the Tamil literature needs to be rewritten this way. There are lots of profound intelligence embedded in the stories.
Maybe like I have heard these stories growing up as a kid from my grand parents and aunts the stories should be told over and over to our new generation as well.
January 4, 2021
A story I was unaware of. Never had I heard of how Pradyumna was born, what life he led and what were his achievements.
The book tells you all the stories which many would not have heard. It was a unique experience to have read this book as I was surprised as to why this son of krishna is not as known and renowned as he should be.
There are many battles between Pradyumna and the asuras and also between Pradyumna and a host of devas along with many asuras in various forms and boons.
The stories are interesting but become repetitive as the trend of battles appear similar and lot more than should have been as part of the story. These battles though engaging in earlier part become difficult reads on later part of the book.
Overall the writing is good, a story many would love to know and surely readers will be awaiting the 2nd part of this story.
The book tells you all the stories which many would not have heard. It was a unique experience to have read this book as I was surprised as to why this son of krishna is not as known and renowned as he should be.
There are many battles between Pradyumna and the asuras and also between Pradyumna and a host of devas along with many asuras in various forms and boons.
The stories are interesting but become repetitive as the trend of battles appear similar and lot more than should have been as part of the story. These battles though engaging in earlier part become difficult reads on later part of the book.
Overall the writing is good, a story many would love to know and surely readers will be awaiting the 2nd part of this story.
July 4, 2017
This book is like reading Childhood stories again.not impressed by the character written in this book.
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