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All Lies, Says Krishna
About the Book
Its thirty-six years after the Great War of Kurukshetra. The curse of a bereaved mother has deprived Krishna of everything, except his life. And so he journeys to Vrindavan, the village of his innocence, to spend the concluding hours of his life with his childhood friend and lover, Radha. In her presence, Krishna peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as the incarnation of God. And at her request, he retells the story of the Mahabharata, like you have never heard before. All lies, says Krishna is an emotional journey into the tortured inner universe of its central characters, focusing more on their flailings than on their heroism. A charismatic retelling of the Mahabharata, this compellingly told narrative has a distinctive voice which sets it apart from anything you have ever read.
About the Author
J. Rajasekharan Nair is a journalist-turned-psychologist and the winner of the K.K. Birla Foundation Fellowship in Journalism (1992), for his study on the Impact of Forest Management on Tribals in Kerala. He holds a Masters degree in Communication and Journalism, University of Kerala (1987), and has served as the programme officer of House of Soviet Culture, Trivandrum (1987-91), Kerala correspondent of Magna Group of Magazines (1994-2008), and as the chairman of an NGO that worked among the sex workers, LGBT, HIV positives, and mentally ill, for eight years. He now serves as a counselor at Thrani Counselling Centre, focusing on family problems, relationship issues, and sexuality. His previous works include Spies from Space: the ISRO Frame-up (Konark, 1998), an investigative work which exposed the sensational spy scandal of 1994 as a lie planted by the CIA using moles in the IB for commercial purpose. All Lies, says Krishna is his first novel.
Its thirty-six years after the Great War of Kurukshetra. The curse of a bereaved mother has deprived Krishna of everything, except his life. And so he journeys to Vrindavan, the village of his innocence, to spend the concluding hours of his life with his childhood friend and lover, Radha. In her presence, Krishna peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as the incarnation of God. And at her request, he retells the story of the Mahabharata, like you have never heard before. All lies, says Krishna is an emotional journey into the tortured inner universe of its central characters, focusing more on their flailings than on their heroism. A charismatic retelling of the Mahabharata, this compellingly told narrative has a distinctive voice which sets it apart from anything you have ever read.
About the Author
J. Rajasekharan Nair is a journalist-turned-psychologist and the winner of the K.K. Birla Foundation Fellowship in Journalism (1992), for his study on the Impact of Forest Management on Tribals in Kerala. He holds a Masters degree in Communication and Journalism, University of Kerala (1987), and has served as the programme officer of House of Soviet Culture, Trivandrum (1987-91), Kerala correspondent of Magna Group of Magazines (1994-2008), and as the chairman of an NGO that worked among the sex workers, LGBT, HIV positives, and mentally ill, for eight years. He now serves as a counselor at Thrani Counselling Centre, focusing on family problems, relationship issues, and sexuality. His previous works include Spies from Space: the ISRO Frame-up (Konark, 1998), an investigative work which exposed the sensational spy scandal of 1994 as a lie planted by the CIA using moles in the IB for commercial purpose. All Lies, says Krishna is his first novel.
344 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 29, 2019
I have read many versions of Krishna, still my hunger for one more never satiated. Last month only I have read Yugpurusha. And as Janmasthami was near, I took another book, which was "All Lies, Says Krishna" by J. Rajasekharan Nair. Just to tell you I have read stories where Krishna was shown as a shrewd politician than a god, so my acceptance level with the creativity of writer is flexible. I like to read alternate history/mythology and I accept it open-mindedly.
"All Lies" is one such attempt. If you believe Krishna was all godly, he doesn't have any gray patches, then you should avoid this book. If you would like to flow with Authors imagination then you may try this book.
Years after Mahabharata war when Krishna's fame spread in whole Bharatvarsha as a demi-god, he lost his kingdom Dwarika due to family feud & nature's wrath. He was sort of lonely. He left for Gokul/Vrindavana in search of his childhood friends & his love (Radha). When he reached there and met Radha after years of separation, two souls yearned for each other, they found solace. Here in front of Radha Krishna revealed some of his darkest secrets. He cleared out that he was merely a human who controlled things with his wisdom, wit & cunningness. Though completely imaginary in words of the author, you may question some of the belief you had about Krishna.
As I said the book need open-mindedness for acceptance. The pace is medium. You can easily read out the book because of the ease of language usage. I like the way cover designed, though not a single character is used in cover art, the way colors merged gives an impression of Krishna's "Morpankh - Peacock Feather". Talking about newness, yes you will find a new perspective for sure.
Detailed Review Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2019/...
"All Lies" is one such attempt. If you believe Krishna was all godly, he doesn't have any gray patches, then you should avoid this book. If you would like to flow with Authors imagination then you may try this book.
Years after Mahabharata war when Krishna's fame spread in whole Bharatvarsha as a demi-god, he lost his kingdom Dwarika due to family feud & nature's wrath. He was sort of lonely. He left for Gokul/Vrindavana in search of his childhood friends & his love (Radha). When he reached there and met Radha after years of separation, two souls yearned for each other, they found solace. Here in front of Radha Krishna revealed some of his darkest secrets. He cleared out that he was merely a human who controlled things with his wisdom, wit & cunningness. Though completely imaginary in words of the author, you may question some of the belief you had about Krishna.
As I said the book need open-mindedness for acceptance. The pace is medium. You can easily read out the book because of the ease of language usage. I like the way cover designed, though not a single character is used in cover art, the way colors merged gives an impression of Krishna's "Morpankh - Peacock Feather". Talking about newness, yes you will find a new perspective for sure.
Detailed Review Link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2019/...
December 10, 2025
All Lies, Says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is a bold, provocative retelling of the epic Mahabharata from the perspective of Krishna in his final days, as he returns to childhood home in Vrindavan and recounts the war and its aftermath to his beloved Radha, stripping away divinity and popular myth to expose what the author interprets as the darker, human truths behind legend.
When I read this book I felt a mixture of fascination, discomfort and sorrow. The narrative voice Krishna’s is weary, haunted, deeply human, and full of regrets and conflict. Through his recollections we are shown familiar characters like Bhishma, Draupadi, Karna, Kunti, Duryodhana, and others not as icons or paragons but as broken, suffering humans shaped by ambition, grief, fear and betrayal. The book does not shy away from horror and cruelty: injustices, manipulations, moral ambiguity, and trauma flow through its pages. That made many moments heavy, but also open and raw in a way mythology rarely allows. I felt challenged by the questions it raised: what is truth, how is history remembered or mythologized, and whether heroes remain heroic when we remove the halo.
At the same time I acknowledge that this reinterpretation will not sit well with everyone. I was unsettled by the book's brutal liberties with the source material, for transforming divine or legendary figures into flawed humans in ways that feel irreverent or morally troubling. Occasionally the narrative felt disjointed as it juggled different events and memories, and the moral weight sometimes overwhelmed the characters’ arcs so much that empathy wavered.
Overall I give All Lies, Says Krishna 3 out of 5 stars. I admire its ambition, emotional weight, and willingness to ask difficult questions; it unsettled me in ways that made me think long after I finished. But because of its disturbing reinterpretation and uneven tone, especially for readers attached to traditional myth I hesitate to call it wholly satisfying. I think it’s a challenging, intense read best suited for those ready to confront myth as human tragedy and heartbreak.
When I read this book I felt a mixture of fascination, discomfort and sorrow. The narrative voice Krishna’s is weary, haunted, deeply human, and full of regrets and conflict. Through his recollections we are shown familiar characters like Bhishma, Draupadi, Karna, Kunti, Duryodhana, and others not as icons or paragons but as broken, suffering humans shaped by ambition, grief, fear and betrayal. The book does not shy away from horror and cruelty: injustices, manipulations, moral ambiguity, and trauma flow through its pages. That made many moments heavy, but also open and raw in a way mythology rarely allows. I felt challenged by the questions it raised: what is truth, how is history remembered or mythologized, and whether heroes remain heroic when we remove the halo.
At the same time I acknowledge that this reinterpretation will not sit well with everyone. I was unsettled by the book's brutal liberties with the source material, for transforming divine or legendary figures into flawed humans in ways that feel irreverent or morally troubling. Occasionally the narrative felt disjointed as it juggled different events and memories, and the moral weight sometimes overwhelmed the characters’ arcs so much that empathy wavered.
Overall I give All Lies, Says Krishna 3 out of 5 stars. I admire its ambition, emotional weight, and willingness to ask difficult questions; it unsettled me in ways that made me think long after I finished. But because of its disturbing reinterpretation and uneven tone, especially for readers attached to traditional myth I hesitate to call it wholly satisfying. I think it’s a challenging, intense read best suited for those ready to confront myth as human tragedy and heartbreak.
November 14, 2019
Mahabharata is one of the grandest epic tales of Indian culture. It is the magnificent account of enmity, hatred, and thirst for power culminating into bloodshed thereby resulting in the wiping out of an entire clan. All Lies, Says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is a fresh take on Mahabharata retelling the deep-rooted myths and then busting them with new perspectives.
I was delighted to read this book that kickstarts with Krishna visiting Radha after 50 years and narrating his life ridden with guilt, pain, and lies to her. It was beautiful to read their intimate conversations which reflect only pure love and ecstasy of meeting your beloved.
I have never read such an interesting and unique retelling of Mahabharata. The best part of this book was that the author has told the stories of lesser-known characters such as Kunti and Shakuni. How Kunti was violated at a tender age that resulted in her becoming a fiery and cold woman, how Shakuni had to breathe the death of his loved ones to keep the fire of revenge in him intact! Why Draupadi became the object of utter humiliation, why Bheeshma didn't object to it, why no elder in the courtroom raised their voice. How did the game of dice become the means of destruction? How Draupadi became the shared wife of five rapists? Aah! Her abject sadness and ignominy saddened me the most. Her silent whispers and muffled tears disturbed me the most.
I wouldn't be giving away a lot of details because I want all the readers to read this brilliant narration of Mahabharata. Through the POV of Krishna, the story comes alive as the author puts life in his characters. A beautiful writing style coupled with wonderful narration totally kept me reading it. The meticulous choice of words, the seamless flow of the narrative, the breezy vibe of the plot - everything summed up for an enriching reading experience. The depth with which the author has taken us on a tour of Krishna's insides was terrific. I am still in awe of this book and I would definitely reread it. I am a sucker of beautifully articulated words and this book satisfied me immensely. For the first time, I realized what it takes to make a human wrong and how terrible the deeds of humans could be in the disguise of morals.
I was delighted to read this book that kickstarts with Krishna visiting Radha after 50 years and narrating his life ridden with guilt, pain, and lies to her. It was beautiful to read their intimate conversations which reflect only pure love and ecstasy of meeting your beloved.
I have never read such an interesting and unique retelling of Mahabharata. The best part of this book was that the author has told the stories of lesser-known characters such as Kunti and Shakuni. How Kunti was violated at a tender age that resulted in her becoming a fiery and cold woman, how Shakuni had to breathe the death of his loved ones to keep the fire of revenge in him intact! Why Draupadi became the object of utter humiliation, why Bheeshma didn't object to it, why no elder in the courtroom raised their voice. How did the game of dice become the means of destruction? How Draupadi became the shared wife of five rapists? Aah! Her abject sadness and ignominy saddened me the most. Her silent whispers and muffled tears disturbed me the most.
I wouldn't be giving away a lot of details because I want all the readers to read this brilliant narration of Mahabharata. Through the POV of Krishna, the story comes alive as the author puts life in his characters. A beautiful writing style coupled with wonderful narration totally kept me reading it. The meticulous choice of words, the seamless flow of the narrative, the breezy vibe of the plot - everything summed up for an enriching reading experience. The depth with which the author has taken us on a tour of Krishna's insides was terrific. I am still in awe of this book and I would definitely reread it. I am a sucker of beautifully articulated words and this book satisfied me immensely. For the first time, I realized what it takes to make a human wrong and how terrible the deeds of humans could be in the disguise of morals.
August 20, 2019
All lies, says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is the author’s interpretation of the events during the Mahabharata war, through Krishna’s point of view. No, it isn’t a rendition of the Gita, but rather a comprehensive account of the events that actually led to the war.
A quick shoutout to FingerPrint! Publishing who sent me this copy. Thanks guys!
I’ll get to the review in detail after a short summary.
Summary
Krishna has lost everything. His family, his kingdom all washed away. He begins his journey back home to Vrindavan desperate to meet his one love, Radha. On his arrival, Radha wants to know about the war and if the stories she heard are true. Krishna, then, begins reciting.
What I Liked
I have read many interpretations of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata but this book struck me as different. Here, myths are busted and true intentions revealed. Although these are all the author’s rendition, it is, nevertheless, interesting.
I loved the effect the book had on me. I was simply glued to it and kept on reading without realising the speed of my progression. A crisp narrative that never allows the reader to pause, at least not intentionally.
As Indians we have heard different versions of the Mahabharata but in this book I came across some new stories, some fresh perspectives. Absolutely delightful!
What I Did Not Like
I didn’t find anything to dislike. The book doesn’t get boring or unnecessarily lengthy at any point.
Other Details
This is the first book by the author. Hope to see more from him soon.
Would I Recommend It?
Definitely. If you a lover of Indian mythology, then you must grab this book. It has a unique style that is gratifying.
A quick shoutout to FingerPrint! Publishing who sent me this copy. Thanks guys!
I’ll get to the review in detail after a short summary.
Summary
Krishna has lost everything. His family, his kingdom all washed away. He begins his journey back home to Vrindavan desperate to meet his one love, Radha. On his arrival, Radha wants to know about the war and if the stories she heard are true. Krishna, then, begins reciting.
What I Liked
I have read many interpretations of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata but this book struck me as different. Here, myths are busted and true intentions revealed. Although these are all the author’s rendition, it is, nevertheless, interesting.
I loved the effect the book had on me. I was simply glued to it and kept on reading without realising the speed of my progression. A crisp narrative that never allows the reader to pause, at least not intentionally.
As Indians we have heard different versions of the Mahabharata but in this book I came across some new stories, some fresh perspectives. Absolutely delightful!
What I Did Not Like
I didn’t find anything to dislike. The book doesn’t get boring or unnecessarily lengthy at any point.
Other Details
This is the first book by the author. Hope to see more from him soon.
Would I Recommend It?
Definitely. If you a lover of Indian mythology, then you must grab this book. It has a unique style that is gratifying.
September 19, 2019
Mahabharata is a great epic of India, which is retold by many writers and poets in different ways. I have read Mahabharata from the perception of various characters, however, I never read it from the eyes of Krishna. Being an admirer of Mahabharata, the title of this book attracted me. I would like to appreciate the beautiful cover page of the book, which is in the hues of a peacock feather, representing Krishna; the cover page is a piece of art.
Plot summary:
This book opens where Krishna, after the great deluge of Dwarika, goes to his childhood friend and lover, Radha, in Vrindavan, which was his place in childhood. While going there, he has endless thoughts in his mind like would she recognise him and how would she react.
After reminiscing about their old days, Radha asks him to tell the truth of Kurukshetra war as she has heard many stories and now she wants to hear the truth from Krishna.
Krishna starts telling the story of Bheeshma who, bound by a promise, allows to govern Hastinapur by an incapable person. He talks about Kunti, who becomes an unwed mother and gets married to Pandu, and how she sows the seeds of revenge and nurtures hate in her sons.
He reveals about the mistakes made by Dhritrashtra who, troubled by his blindness, ropes a seed of war before the birth of Kauravas and Pandavas.
The author has also narrated the pain of Karna and how this pain led him to pave a path of destruction by himself.
The princess of Panchal, Draupadi, and how her arrogance, made her an object of observation in the royal court.
The author has amazingly weaved his perception and written about Gandhari, whose story we don’t read often. How she decided to become blind for her husband and put herself in the life of misery.
I have read many books on Mahabharata but none of them talk about Shakuni and his pain. But the author of this book has narrated his pain and how he planned everything meticulously.
The stories of other characters, like Drupada, Drona, Ashwathama is effectively presented by the author.
I loved the ending of this book, which helps us to see the aftermath of war which happened due to ignorance, wrong decisions, and feelings of revenge.
My perception:
I just loved this book, this book helped me to see the characters of Mahabharata differently. The author’s representation of Mahabharata is quite interesting to read. The meeting of Radha and Krishna after long years depicts how much they adore each other and Krishna at the last moment of his life decides to visit the place of his childhood.
Through this book, through the eyes of Krishna, the author has tried to present the part of each character of Mahabharata, who were just the puppets whose strings were in the hands of destiny.
If you love mythology and Mahabharata, then you shouldn’t miss this book.
Plot summary:
This book opens where Krishna, after the great deluge of Dwarika, goes to his childhood friend and lover, Radha, in Vrindavan, which was his place in childhood. While going there, he has endless thoughts in his mind like would she recognise him and how would she react.
After reminiscing about their old days, Radha asks him to tell the truth of Kurukshetra war as she has heard many stories and now she wants to hear the truth from Krishna.
Krishna starts telling the story of Bheeshma who, bound by a promise, allows to govern Hastinapur by an incapable person. He talks about Kunti, who becomes an unwed mother and gets married to Pandu, and how she sows the seeds of revenge and nurtures hate in her sons.
He reveals about the mistakes made by Dhritrashtra who, troubled by his blindness, ropes a seed of war before the birth of Kauravas and Pandavas.
The author has also narrated the pain of Karna and how this pain led him to pave a path of destruction by himself.
The princess of Panchal, Draupadi, and how her arrogance, made her an object of observation in the royal court.
The author has amazingly weaved his perception and written about Gandhari, whose story we don’t read often. How she decided to become blind for her husband and put herself in the life of misery.
I have read many books on Mahabharata but none of them talk about Shakuni and his pain. But the author of this book has narrated his pain and how he planned everything meticulously.
The stories of other characters, like Drupada, Drona, Ashwathama is effectively presented by the author.
I loved the ending of this book, which helps us to see the aftermath of war which happened due to ignorance, wrong decisions, and feelings of revenge.
My perception:
I just loved this book, this book helped me to see the characters of Mahabharata differently. The author’s representation of Mahabharata is quite interesting to read. The meeting of Radha and Krishna after long years depicts how much they adore each other and Krishna at the last moment of his life decides to visit the place of his childhood.
Through this book, through the eyes of Krishna, the author has tried to present the part of each character of Mahabharata, who were just the puppets whose strings were in the hands of destiny.
If you love mythology and Mahabharata, then you shouldn’t miss this book.
September 19, 2019
All lies, Says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is a charismatic retelling of the Indian epic, The Mahabharata. This beautiful book is an absolute favourite of mine. The way in which the story is presented is worthy of praise. I have read many books with different views and perspectives about certain characters and portions of the Mahabharata, but this is very different from the rest. This book is exceptional and extraordinarily well written.
I loved the concept on which the book is based. It is set thirty-six years after the Great War of Kurukshetra. Krishna is deprived of everything except his life. And he thus sets out on a journey back to Vrindavan, the village where he spent his childhood, the village of innocence. He returns back to get reunited with his childhood friend and lover, Radha. In her presence, Krishna peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as an incarnation of God. And at Radha's request, he narrates the tale of the Mahabharata.
The plot is brilliantly constructed and the concept is very unique.
Read the book to know and understand the Mahabharata from a very different perspective.
The book is very well written and beautifully narrated as well. All the characters have been portrayed and described amazingly.
As I have stated previously, I love reading mythological fictions. And after reading this book, it is one of my favourites in the genre. Absolutely loved reading this beautiful book. The evocative and picturesque account of each event keeps the reader hooked to the book. All the characters, although inspired by the Mahabharata, has a realistic aspect in each one, which is added by the author. The cover of the book looks awesome too.
Overall, All lies, Says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is an amazing read. Recommending this book to all the bibliophiles who love reading mythological fictions.
I loved the concept on which the book is based. It is set thirty-six years after the Great War of Kurukshetra. Krishna is deprived of everything except his life. And he thus sets out on a journey back to Vrindavan, the village where he spent his childhood, the village of innocence. He returns back to get reunited with his childhood friend and lover, Radha. In her presence, Krishna peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as an incarnation of God. And at Radha's request, he narrates the tale of the Mahabharata.
The plot is brilliantly constructed and the concept is very unique.
Read the book to know and understand the Mahabharata from a very different perspective.
The book is very well written and beautifully narrated as well. All the characters have been portrayed and described amazingly.
As I have stated previously, I love reading mythological fictions. And after reading this book, it is one of my favourites in the genre. Absolutely loved reading this beautiful book. The evocative and picturesque account of each event keeps the reader hooked to the book. All the characters, although inspired by the Mahabharata, has a realistic aspect in each one, which is added by the author. The cover of the book looks awesome too.
Overall, All lies, Says Krishna by J. Rajasekharan Nair is an amazing read. Recommending this book to all the bibliophiles who love reading mythological fictions.
August 19, 2019
To be honest I was never fascinated by tales of Mahabharata and Ramayana, even after hearing different versions retold by my ancestors. I didn't believe in those magical, unproven events. But when I read the title of this book I couldn't wait to read, this was the rare time when I was actually interested in Mahabharata. And I was not disappointed when I started reading it.
I got a clarity of how things happened. First off, I thank Krishna for clearing the myths. Second, I was so fascinated by the fact that, even after staying apart from each other for years, the love and affection between Radha and Krishna never faded.
This book is not a detailed story of Mahabharata but the details of some events which are missed out while retelling the stories through generations. This is about the feelings, the actions, the thoughts and opinions or the characters present in a particular event. That is what I found the most interesting in this book, everybody got a chance to tell their side of the story. And all this was portrayed so well.
This book is definitely the most different version than you have ever heard. At the end of the book, you’ll be disturbed, you’ll be shook and fascinated by all the hidden secrets and truths of everything that happened. Nobody is good or bad, each one has their own story to tell. You’ll rethink about all the stories you heard from your parents and grandparents. The Mahabharata is darker in this version.
Any person, theist, atheist or an agnostic must read this book, and you’ll like this version better than any other.
I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I got a clarity of how things happened. First off, I thank Krishna for clearing the myths. Second, I was so fascinated by the fact that, even after staying apart from each other for years, the love and affection between Radha and Krishna never faded.
This book is not a detailed story of Mahabharata but the details of some events which are missed out while retelling the stories through generations. This is about the feelings, the actions, the thoughts and opinions or the characters present in a particular event. That is what I found the most interesting in this book, everybody got a chance to tell their side of the story. And all this was portrayed so well.
This book is definitely the most different version than you have ever heard. At the end of the book, you’ll be disturbed, you’ll be shook and fascinated by all the hidden secrets and truths of everything that happened. Nobody is good or bad, each one has their own story to tell. You’ll rethink about all the stories you heard from your parents and grandparents. The Mahabharata is darker in this version.
Any person, theist, atheist or an agnostic must read this book, and you’ll like this version better than any other.
I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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March 4, 2025I totally judged this book by its beautiful cover—reason I picked it up. But beyond its aesthetics, it turned out to be a heart-wrenching read. An unsettling take on the characters I once admired, forcing me to question everything!!!
The brutal reality of patriarchy, lingers long after the last page.
The brutal reality of patriarchy, lingers long after the last page.
January 8, 2020
One thing I've been fascinated while growing up is the ancient mythological stories I've heard from my grandparents. Especially the story revolving around mahabharat about Lord krishna, karn, bhishm, devtas & devis, etc. I love Lord Krishna & look upto him with utmost reverence.
Characterisation is poor. Narration is okay. Language is simple, needs improvement on remarkable scale. The authenticity & consistency of the legendary epic along with the factual description provided here in the book are sadly incomplete as well as incorrect. The facts & description mentioned here are inconsistent, inaccurate & incomplete. There were wide gaps in the plot & storyline between this book & the original epic mahabharat.
It also seemed like the author had some grudge with the ancient gods & goddess - especially with lord krishna. It can be pretty much deciphered deduced & evidently understood from the overgrazing ghastly glorified sexual references drawn out in the form of context here. It personally struck me hard as a believer of many faiths. Hence, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, especially mythology lovers.
Mahabharat has been recorded as one of the greatest events which have occurred in the history of mankind. The mere possibility of it's occurance has been incorporated well throughout countless parts of the world by researchers & scholars. The very fact that it has been ingrained to our being (especially Indians) has been recognised by many great scholars all across the globe. Some says it's an epic yet South Asian countries like India & it's neighbours believe in the existence or validation of it.
This book is a retelling of mahabharat from Lord Krishna's point of view. It carries many drawbacks. The validity of the facts mentioned right from the beginning of the book were incorrect. I feel the validation & accountability of the truth should've been presented exactly without any changes or modification as it had occurred millenals ago.
Additionally, the things which I didn't was the fact that it encourages Vasudev as a mere normal human being. There's nothing wrong with it. However that being said, even sexual nuances & instances have been marked yet associated with him which really bothered me a lot. The personification of gods & goddesses as human beings in various mythologies have been encountered. But, the sexual reference really hurts me. The author doesn't have an inkling of an idea on how we feel about Gods from our epics. We worship them with utmost devotion & desires.
People may call hindu epics a myth or mere urban legend. But, we Indians carry a lot of faith & belief with them. The association of that belief we've in them is insurmountable & exceeds beyond any known plausible explanation. He's a god whom we reverred since our childhood days. He's the epitome of greatness. But by making him visualise & present as a mere man symbolising his perverted side is outrightly outrageous. Its totally preposterous & dissapointing. Overall, a good attempt to present our country's epic but it failed miserably.
Characterisation is poor. Narration is okay. Language is simple, needs improvement on remarkable scale. The authenticity & consistency of the legendary epic along with the factual description provided here in the book are sadly incomplete as well as incorrect. The facts & description mentioned here are inconsistent, inaccurate & incomplete. There were wide gaps in the plot & storyline between this book & the original epic mahabharat.
It also seemed like the author had some grudge with the ancient gods & goddess - especially with lord krishna. It can be pretty much deciphered deduced & evidently understood from the overgrazing ghastly glorified sexual references drawn out in the form of context here. It personally struck me hard as a believer of many faiths. Hence, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, especially mythology lovers.
Mahabharat has been recorded as one of the greatest events which have occurred in the history of mankind. The mere possibility of it's occurance has been incorporated well throughout countless parts of the world by researchers & scholars. The very fact that it has been ingrained to our being (especially Indians) has been recognised by many great scholars all across the globe. Some says it's an epic yet South Asian countries like India & it's neighbours believe in the existence or validation of it.
This book is a retelling of mahabharat from Lord Krishna's point of view. It carries many drawbacks. The validity of the facts mentioned right from the beginning of the book were incorrect. I feel the validation & accountability of the truth should've been presented exactly without any changes or modification as it had occurred millenals ago.
Additionally, the things which I didn't was the fact that it encourages Vasudev as a mere normal human being. There's nothing wrong with it. However that being said, even sexual nuances & instances have been marked yet associated with him which really bothered me a lot. The personification of gods & goddesses as human beings in various mythologies have been encountered. But, the sexual reference really hurts me. The author doesn't have an inkling of an idea on how we feel about Gods from our epics. We worship them with utmost devotion & desires.
People may call hindu epics a myth or mere urban legend. But, we Indians carry a lot of faith & belief with them. The association of that belief we've in them is insurmountable & exceeds beyond any known plausible explanation. He's a god whom we reverred since our childhood days. He's the epitome of greatness. But by making him visualise & present as a mere man symbolising his perverted side is outrightly outrageous. Its totally preposterous & dissapointing. Overall, a good attempt to present our country's epic but it failed miserably.
May 17, 2025
𝓣𝓲𝓽𝓵𝓮: All Lies Says Krishna
★★☆☆☆(2 stars)
Alternate title: All Lies Says This Book, Not Krishna—Leave Him Out of It.
~ ➽───────────────❥
I picked this book up thinking I was about to witness my Kanha ji, my butter-stealing, flute-playing, wisdom-dispensing, charming-as-heck Krishna. The one who dances on Kaliya Naag and still has time to give you a whole Gita mid-battle like, “Let me fix your soul real quick.” Instead, what did I get?
A man who might be named Krishna… but spiritually? Emotionally? Mythologically? Not my circus, not my Vrindavan.
From the very first few chapters I was like, “Wait… where is my Krishna? Who is this weirdly philosophical gym bro with commitment issues??” Every second page was less about morals and more about molecules, if you know what I mean. The way I was SKIPPING paragraphs like they were hot lava. I felt like I was playing Temple Run with my own morals. 🏃♀️💨
And listen, I’ve read retellings. I love retellings. Amish Tripathi’s Ram Chandra series? Iconic. Legendary. Sita Mata with a sword? I cheered. I highlighted quotes. I screamed “Queen behavior.” Because that was different but it still felt divine. This? This was like someone took the concept of Krishna, shook it in a jar with random philosophy, added unnecessary spice, and served it with a straight face like, “Enjoy.” Spoiler alert: I did not enjoy.
Now for the disclaimer before the angry mobs arrive — I’m not rating Kanha. I repeat: THIS IS NOT A RATING FOR LORD KRISHNA. This is a rating for the fictional fever dream I unfortunately read. I’m a Hindu, and I follow my dharma deeply, but that doesn’t mean I disrespect anyone else’s. Everyone’s faith is valid. This? This was not a faith issue. This was a “why did I spend my money on this” issue.
Also, the author is older than me. Much older. He was probably out there writing this book while I was still learning Krishna bhajans with candy bribes. So I’m not trying to disrespect his effort. That’s why it’s getting 2 stars. One star for morals. One star for effort. That’s it. That’s the deal.
Honestly, I don’t even write negative reviews. I usually just mark bad books as read and pretend they didn’t happen. But THIS? This offended my devotion, my attention span, AND my brain cells. I had to write something, even if it’s just to emotionally detox. I might delete it later. Or I might frame it and hang it above my mandir as a reminder to always read sample pages first.
And now… the most dramatic part of this whole emotional rollercoaster:
Kanha ji, please forgive me.
Forgive me for reading this.
Forgive me for surviving this.
Forgive me for giving 2 stars to something that had your name on the cover, even though YOU had nothing to do with it.
I swear I love you. I’ll go recite the Gita in your honor and eat a whole bowl of makhan as penance.( I hate Makhan)
You didn’t deserve this. I didn’t deserve this. None of us deserved this.
~ ➽───────────────❥
★★☆☆☆(2 stars)
Alternate title: All Lies Says This Book, Not Krishna—Leave Him Out of It.
~ ➽───────────────❥
I picked this book up thinking I was about to witness my Kanha ji, my butter-stealing, flute-playing, wisdom-dispensing, charming-as-heck Krishna. The one who dances on Kaliya Naag and still has time to give you a whole Gita mid-battle like, “Let me fix your soul real quick.” Instead, what did I get?
A man who might be named Krishna… but spiritually? Emotionally? Mythologically? Not my circus, not my Vrindavan.
From the very first few chapters I was like, “Wait… where is my Krishna? Who is this weirdly philosophical gym bro with commitment issues??” Every second page was less about morals and more about molecules, if you know what I mean. The way I was SKIPPING paragraphs like they were hot lava. I felt like I was playing Temple Run with my own morals. 🏃♀️💨
And listen, I’ve read retellings. I love retellings. Amish Tripathi’s Ram Chandra series? Iconic. Legendary. Sita Mata with a sword? I cheered. I highlighted quotes. I screamed “Queen behavior.” Because that was different but it still felt divine. This? This was like someone took the concept of Krishna, shook it in a jar with random philosophy, added unnecessary spice, and served it with a straight face like, “Enjoy.” Spoiler alert: I did not enjoy.
Now for the disclaimer before the angry mobs arrive — I’m not rating Kanha. I repeat: THIS IS NOT A RATING FOR LORD KRISHNA. This is a rating for the fictional fever dream I unfortunately read. I’m a Hindu, and I follow my dharma deeply, but that doesn’t mean I disrespect anyone else’s. Everyone’s faith is valid. This? This was not a faith issue. This was a “why did I spend my money on this” issue.
Also, the author is older than me. Much older. He was probably out there writing this book while I was still learning Krishna bhajans with candy bribes. So I’m not trying to disrespect his effort. That’s why it’s getting 2 stars. One star for morals. One star for effort. That’s it. That’s the deal.
Honestly, I don’t even write negative reviews. I usually just mark bad books as read and pretend they didn’t happen. But THIS? This offended my devotion, my attention span, AND my brain cells. I had to write something, even if it’s just to emotionally detox. I might delete it later. Or I might frame it and hang it above my mandir as a reminder to always read sample pages first.
And now… the most dramatic part of this whole emotional rollercoaster:
Kanha ji, please forgive me.
Forgive me for reading this.
Forgive me for surviving this.
Forgive me for giving 2 stars to something that had your name on the cover, even though YOU had nothing to do with it.
I swear I love you. I’ll go recite the Gita in your honor and eat a whole bowl of makhan as penance.( I hate Makhan)
You didn’t deserve this. I didn’t deserve this. None of us deserved this.
~ ➽───────────────❥
November 6, 2019
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing
My Rating: 5/5 stars
*NOTE: I am extremely grateful to Fingerprint! Publishing for sending me this book. However, this does not at all hinder my honest opinions regarding the book. This is a spoiler-free review. All opinions are solely mine. Check out my blog 'The Scribblings' (https://thescribblingssite.wordpress....) for more reviews.
‘All Lies, Says Krishna’ is the perfect title for the book. The cover wins my heart every time I look at it!
The book is written in first person, Krishna being the narrator with intervals of third person narratives. 36 years after the end of the war of Mahabharata, Krishna finds himself in Vrindavan where he has come to spend his last days by indulging in a conversation with Radha, his childhood companion. Radha plays the role of a common person who knows Mahabharata as it was told to all. The conversation unfolds to her the myths and misunderstandings that have commonly flown around regarding the war and Krishna’s own life. Radha asks Kanha various questions and Kanha responds to all, unveiling new realms to the epic. He introduces all the main characters and even those that are not much talked about, in detail, providing the reader with unique perspectives into the character’s life.
This book is a work of fiction and what makes me marvel at it is the fact that nothing in the book is narrated as a story that we already know. It holds the power to change the whole fabric of the epic as we know it. I had a great time reading the book owing to the fact that each character is provided with a unique, beautiful, or even hurtful life history that justifies how they have lived till the end of the war and after. The author has gone ahead to dive deep into the psychology of each character, almost providing the reader with a detailed character analysis. Each character’s fatal flaw has been expressed and no character is portrayed as the embodiment of an ideal human being.
‘All Lies, Says Krishna’ is a treasure box for all those who love the epic Mahabharata and a must-read for those who are never tired of knowing the characters better. This book is a retelling recommended to all readers who agree with the fact that Mahabharata is a compilation of complexities enraged by the individual characters and their varied psychological patterns. However, if you are not familiar with much of the original, I would advise you to first have a reading of the epic even if it is in brief and then go ahead to enjoy this masterpiece through a new lens provided by the author of ‘All Lies, Says Krishna’.
November 11, 2019
The LazyScoop Book Review:
Mythology is something which is always perceived differently by different people. There can be multiple story-lines, multiple arcs and imaginative trivia, and that’s the beauty of mythological stories. ‘All Lies, says Krishna’ is yet another such book where I don’t know how much is real or how much is writer’s imagination. But the book is simply fascinating!
It’s 36 years after Great War of Kurukshetra, Krishna comes back to his village- Vrindaavan. The way it’s all written from Krishna’s perspective, I was connected to him from page one. The description of his village, conversation between Radha, his lover and what changes their separation had resulted in, everything is just very interesting and made me just turn the pages grasping every dialogue and scene.
The conversation between Radha and Krishna just makes you feel sad. I was really impressed by how the Author has tried to portray Krishna’s mental state, it reflects in all his dialogues.
There are many stories from the Mahabharata in the book, and how Krishna narrates it, is to be honest fun to read. Radha’s curiosity leads to questions, and Krishna answers them revealing many secrets which we might not know. I don’t know the authenticity, but it was interesting and the author has surely done a commendable job.
The narration is exceptionally good, the chapters are not dragged and the title given to each chapter almost gives it a feel of being a TV series, in fact one can be made! The choice of words are rich yet lucid. Krishna elaborates the Mahabharata characters’ point of views and dilemmas which perhaps many Mahabharata readers might not be knowing. Again, Kudos to the Author.
The LazyScoop Verdict:
‘All Lies, says Krishna’ is a wonderful retelling of Mahabharata from the words of Krishna. It’s like a mind blowing painting painted by the Author showing different shades of different characters. It explores the reason behind many things that took place and what it resulted in.
If you like mythology and incredibly vast treasure of stories in it, this book is treat for you. It’s drenched in Nostalgia and touches your heart in many ways.
‘All Lies, says Krishna’ absolutely recommended by The LazyScoop!
Ratings:
Cover: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Narration: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Language: 4/ 5 Stars
Entertainment: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Characters: 4.5/ 5 Stars
The LazyScoop Rating: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Mythology is something which is always perceived differently by different people. There can be multiple story-lines, multiple arcs and imaginative trivia, and that’s the beauty of mythological stories. ‘All Lies, says Krishna’ is yet another such book where I don’t know how much is real or how much is writer’s imagination. But the book is simply fascinating!
It’s 36 years after Great War of Kurukshetra, Krishna comes back to his village- Vrindaavan. The way it’s all written from Krishna’s perspective, I was connected to him from page one. The description of his village, conversation between Radha, his lover and what changes their separation had resulted in, everything is just very interesting and made me just turn the pages grasping every dialogue and scene.
The conversation between Radha and Krishna just makes you feel sad. I was really impressed by how the Author has tried to portray Krishna’s mental state, it reflects in all his dialogues.
There are many stories from the Mahabharata in the book, and how Krishna narrates it, is to be honest fun to read. Radha’s curiosity leads to questions, and Krishna answers them revealing many secrets which we might not know. I don’t know the authenticity, but it was interesting and the author has surely done a commendable job.
The narration is exceptionally good, the chapters are not dragged and the title given to each chapter almost gives it a feel of being a TV series, in fact one can be made! The choice of words are rich yet lucid. Krishna elaborates the Mahabharata characters’ point of views and dilemmas which perhaps many Mahabharata readers might not be knowing. Again, Kudos to the Author.
The LazyScoop Verdict:
‘All Lies, says Krishna’ is a wonderful retelling of Mahabharata from the words of Krishna. It’s like a mind blowing painting painted by the Author showing different shades of different characters. It explores the reason behind many things that took place and what it resulted in.
If you like mythology and incredibly vast treasure of stories in it, this book is treat for you. It’s drenched in Nostalgia and touches your heart in many ways.
‘All Lies, says Krishna’ absolutely recommended by The LazyScoop!
Ratings:
Cover: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Narration: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Language: 4/ 5 Stars
Entertainment: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Characters: 4.5/ 5 Stars
The LazyScoop Rating: 4.5/ 5 Stars
July 31, 2019
The two great Indian Epics has been written and re-told in many ways. Each one of them had their own and unique way of approach to the epic. We would have also seen them on television in various versions. However, All Lies, Says Krishna is certainly the one you wouldn't have come across. There are so many reasons to it. One of the main reason is the story is told by none other than Lord Krishna himself to his lover, Radha. Yes, The Lord is instrumental in giving out "Bhagavad Geetha" to Arjun but the narration of the epic itself, in his version is something unheard of.
The story may not be appreciated by the orthodox Hindus as they may beg to differ to this version but we must understand one thing that there is no concrete evidence or proof about the happening of the epic, as has been told to us, over the period of few centuries. I appreciate the different outlook and approach to the epic by the author which in itself is a daring attempt.
I will not be going in detail into the story as it would become a spoiler. However, I would like to give few instances as to why I call this novel, unique.
1. The story gives great importance to Draupadi who along with her twin brother had planned to take revenge against Drona and Arjun. You read it right, it is Arjun...
2. Draupadi had actually fallen in love with Lord Krisha.
3. Lord Krishna never thought Arjun would make it to the Syamvar since he wasn't invited.
4. Draupadi felt humiliated to be sharing her life with 5 brothers - Pandavas.
5. Lord Krishna's parent is a sibling of Kunti.
6. Pandu was impotent but he concealed it while marrying Kunti.
7. Pandu falls in love with Madri and reveals the secret about him.
8. All the 5 brothers except Yudhistir married once more since they were deprived of sex(as their turn to live with Draupadi would come once in 4 years)
There are lot more to add but like I said earlier, it would be a spoiler.
This is a daring attempt by the author who has given a different perspective to the epic which coincides with the events in some way or the other and would definitely make one think more than once as to why not these could have been the actual reason/cause for the epic to have unfolded in the way, it wasn't suppose to be...
The story may not be appreciated by the orthodox Hindus as they may beg to differ to this version but we must understand one thing that there is no concrete evidence or proof about the happening of the epic, as has been told to us, over the period of few centuries. I appreciate the different outlook and approach to the epic by the author which in itself is a daring attempt.
I will not be going in detail into the story as it would become a spoiler. However, I would like to give few instances as to why I call this novel, unique.
1. The story gives great importance to Draupadi who along with her twin brother had planned to take revenge against Drona and Arjun. You read it right, it is Arjun...
2. Draupadi had actually fallen in love with Lord Krisha.
3. Lord Krishna never thought Arjun would make it to the Syamvar since he wasn't invited.
4. Draupadi felt humiliated to be sharing her life with 5 brothers - Pandavas.
5. Lord Krishna's parent is a sibling of Kunti.
6. Pandu was impotent but he concealed it while marrying Kunti.
7. Pandu falls in love with Madri and reveals the secret about him.
8. All the 5 brothers except Yudhistir married once more since they were deprived of sex(as their turn to live with Draupadi would come once in 4 years)
There are lot more to add but like I said earlier, it would be a spoiler.
This is a daring attempt by the author who has given a different perspective to the epic which coincides with the events in some way or the other and would definitely make one think more than once as to why not these could have been the actual reason/cause for the epic to have unfolded in the way, it wasn't suppose to be...
August 25, 2019
Amazing book, utterly fascinating and compelling. Quite unusual and exceptional story. I like Krishna (Who doesn't!), He is a strong Man (god) and a courageous leader. The book cover says "We are our pyre. We only lit to cool our soul in flames. Dear Radha, we are our dreams drowned in our pyre. Neti Neti Neti". Yes, that sums it up about this great story.
This is not one of those stories that end at the beginning. What I mean by that is that a lot happens between the first and last chapters. It progresses in an interesting way, because After thirty-six years of the great war of Kurukshetra, Krishna comes back to Vrindavan to spend his final days with Radha and retells the story of Mahabharat and peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as the incarnation of God.
This book is beautifully written and very engaging. I found myself emerged in this book and savoured every page. Fiction and mythology blend beautifully to create a spellbinding book that does not disappoint. I'll admit, I'm a fan of Indian Mythology. And I have a basic understanding of who is who but nothing in depth. One does not need to know much about mythology to appreciate and enjoy this book. The Author Rajasekharan Nair does a great job with words and describes the characters brilliantly. I never felt like he was educating me on who was who. All the information flowed with the story.
As I stated this book was very well written, the story-line is engaging, intelligent and sucked me in. This book is told through Krishna's POV and we get an inside glimpse into his thoughts, feelings and emotions. Really incredible overall. I was amazed by how Author Rajasekharan Nair retells Mahabharata through Krishna's POV and with wonderful personalizing touches and believable spins, all based on vivid imagining of author.
Absolutely enjoyable and entertaining! Highly recommend!
This is not one of those stories that end at the beginning. What I mean by that is that a lot happens between the first and last chapters. It progresses in an interesting way, because After thirty-six years of the great war of Kurukshetra, Krishna comes back to Vrindavan to spend his final days with Radha and retells the story of Mahabharat and peels off the layers of myth that portrayed him as the incarnation of God.
This book is beautifully written and very engaging. I found myself emerged in this book and savoured every page. Fiction and mythology blend beautifully to create a spellbinding book that does not disappoint. I'll admit, I'm a fan of Indian Mythology. And I have a basic understanding of who is who but nothing in depth. One does not need to know much about mythology to appreciate and enjoy this book. The Author Rajasekharan Nair does a great job with words and describes the characters brilliantly. I never felt like he was educating me on who was who. All the information flowed with the story.
As I stated this book was very well written, the story-line is engaging, intelligent and sucked me in. This book is told through Krishna's POV and we get an inside glimpse into his thoughts, feelings and emotions. Really incredible overall. I was amazed by how Author Rajasekharan Nair retells Mahabharata through Krishna's POV and with wonderful personalizing touches and believable spins, all based on vivid imagining of author.
Absolutely enjoyable and entertaining! Highly recommend!
August 4, 2020
A beautiful mythology.❤️
Our story begins Krishna comes to Mathura to meet Radha after a war. He was tired and took the shelter of a mango tree on the outskirts. When he reached Radha’s abode, she was a lil surprised to know that he remembered her house. Then Radha helps him relax and asks about all the wars and experiences of the past. This remarks the beginning of the story.
The book is actually a narrative of incidents by Krishna to Radha. He told her about the war of Kurukshetra and related characters. The most significant thing about the book is that the incidents are discussed before they are explained. In the beginning i found the book a little boring but soon the sequence started making sense. The action, The power, The magic all made the book so exciting that it was really fun to read this one.
I recommend this to all the mythological lovers❤️📖
General review:
I really loved the cover of the book and I hesitantly admit that it was a cover purchase. I was never into mythologies but the author made me a lover of the the genre. As the pages unveiled, as the novel progressed I was completely sticked to it...
Character:
Though Radha was nowhere in the main plot but the way she wanted to hear it all from Krishna was really sweet in her character. Her love for Krishna never ends and her caressing touch cured Krishna's wounds...
Our story begins Krishna comes to Mathura to meet Radha after a war. He was tired and took the shelter of a mango tree on the outskirts. When he reached Radha’s abode, she was a lil surprised to know that he remembered her house. Then Radha helps him relax and asks about all the wars and experiences of the past. This remarks the beginning of the story.
The book is actually a narrative of incidents by Krishna to Radha. He told her about the war of Kurukshetra and related characters. The most significant thing about the book is that the incidents are discussed before they are explained. In the beginning i found the book a little boring but soon the sequence started making sense. The action, The power, The magic all made the book so exciting that it was really fun to read this one.
I recommend this to all the mythological lovers❤️📖
General review:
I really loved the cover of the book and I hesitantly admit that it was a cover purchase. I was never into mythologies but the author made me a lover of the the genre. As the pages unveiled, as the novel progressed I was completely sticked to it...
Character:
Though Radha was nowhere in the main plot but the way she wanted to hear it all from Krishna was really sweet in her character. Her love for Krishna never ends and her caressing touch cured Krishna's wounds...
April 17, 2023
this book is an absolute gem! I was blown away by its realistic and immersive storytelling. The author's portrayal of the characters is both nuanced and insightful, presenting each one with a depth and complexity that made them feel like real people. What I appreciated most was the author's commitment to presenting all sides of the story, refusing to take sides and leaving it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
But what really stood out to me was the book's dynamic structure - it weaves together seemingly disparate elements with a finesse that's truly remarkable. The connections between the dots are tenuous at times, but the author's writing skills are so top-notch that I found myself completely captivated, unable to put the book down until I'd read every last word.
If you're a fan of mythological stories, I can't recommend this book enough. It's an unforgettable read that will leave you feeling both intellectually stimulated and emotionally moved. Thank you to the author for creating such a masterpiece, and thank you to the reader for taking the time to read this review.
But what really stood out to me was the book's dynamic structure - it weaves together seemingly disparate elements with a finesse that's truly remarkable. The connections between the dots are tenuous at times, but the author's writing skills are so top-notch that I found myself completely captivated, unable to put the book down until I'd read every last word.
If you're a fan of mythological stories, I can't recommend this book enough. It's an unforgettable read that will leave you feeling both intellectually stimulated and emotionally moved. Thank you to the author for creating such a masterpiece, and thank you to the reader for taking the time to read this review.
October 2, 2019
Reading this book was quite a different experience for me. Being someone who isn't much of a mythology lover but definitely someone with an indefatigable faith in our religion and our culture, this book challenged so many of my beliefs and made me question what I've heard and believed so far about everything related to Mahabharata. The language is quite simple and the content is evident of the research and hardwork that the author has put into it. The story, as told by the author, is full of revelations and new pieces of information which is bound to keep the reader glued to the book. The cover is absolutely gorgeous which makes me a proud owner of this beautiful book. I would highly recommend this book to readers who love mythology, as this is definitely something which they mustn't have come across yet..
August 31, 2022
This book was such an eye opener for me . I really loved the way Krishna one by one tells the untold tales of gandhari,kunti,karna,ashwathamma,draupadi,Dronachrya and a few more to his beloved radha. There were so many things l had overlooked and never thought of . The characters of Mahabharata were so right but so wrong, they were portrayed so humane . But the thing which prevented me from rating it 5 stars is that the writing style could have been a bit improved , and since they are retelling of Mahabharata there could be some twist and turn of words . Nevertheless the book showed me so many things and it was really amazing 👏
October 30, 2019
Not very good.. The language used to describe the characters and their natures could have been less sex-centric.. My high hopes came crashing down just after reading the first page.. However later on, things seem to be narrated in a better way..
August 30, 2019
The stars above are rounded off.
[My unbiased #BookReview is available at: https://thinkerviews.com/books/englis... ]
[My unbiased #BookReview is available at: https://thinkerviews.com/books/englis... ]
September 20, 2019
It's a unique way of story telling when you realise how perspective of "good" and "bad" is completely ironical to what we "know". Must read for all!!
August 7, 2020
I liked the approach but felt the language was very basic and style was a bland.
The perspective to the Mahabharat is very interesting and thats what egged me on.
The perspective to the Mahabharat is very interesting and thats what egged me on.
October 13, 2020
Excellent retelling of the classic Mahabharata. A book that I would go back to again and again.
January 24, 2024
The weariness of great success. More here: https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpr...
December 31, 2024
Painfully trite
April 14, 2022
This book is the narration of Mahabharata as narrated by Krishna to Radha in his final hours. The chronological order is not followed instead the story is narrated while explaining the world around different characters. The author has used his imaginative skills to describe a few events which are quite contrary to the popular tale e.g. as per author there was no curse from Parshuram to Karna or Duryodhana was not killed by Bheema but he killed himself when Krishna tells him about the truth of Shakuni etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
Truly a riveting and intriguing book. Couldn't put it down and had to finish in one go. Kept me thinking late in the night and even after more than a month, I can NOT stop thinking about it. It opposes everything yo7ve ever believed in regarding Sri Krishna and his leelas and Mahabharata. Many won't like it and although I'm a devotee of Sri Krishna, I can't help but think "What if? What if all of this is true? But what if it isn't?"
- M. M
- M. M
August 11, 2020
As a reader you must be able to understand and accept an author's perspective of the story.
I understand people who are deeply blinded by faith won't accept and like this book but then again the author choose to speak up his mind and a beautiful interpretation of the great tale.
It's a book one must read to broaden their perspective on life.
I understand people who are deeply blinded by faith won't accept and like this book but then again the author choose to speak up his mind and a beautiful interpretation of the great tale.
It's a book one must read to broaden their perspective on life.
January 15, 2026
I picked up this book not out of reverence, but curiosity. The reviews were sharply divided,some called it bold, others called it blasphemous. I wanted to see for myself. What I found was not a retelling of the Mahabharata, but a quiet, aching confession.
Krishna returns to Vrindavan, not as a god, but as a man stripped of myth. He meets Radha,not for romance, but for reckoning. In her presence, he sheds the divine mask and speaks of war, manipulation, and regret. Radha doesn’t worship him. She questions him. And Krishna, for once, answers honestly.
The book reframes familiar characters,Bhishma, Draupadi, Karna, Kunti not as icons, but as wounded souls. Krishna admits to bending truth, orchestrating deaths, and sacrificing innocence for strategy. It’s unsettling. But it’s also deeply human.
What moved me most was Radha’s role. She doesn’t seek closure. She seeks clarity. Her questions cut through Krishna’s silence, and in doing so, she becomes the only person who truly sees him.
This book isn’t for those seeking divine perfection. It’s for those willing to confront the emotional wreckage beneath epic glory. This reminds us that even gods must be questioned and sometimes, the most sacred act is simply to listen.
Krishna returns to Vrindavan, not as a god, but as a man stripped of myth. He meets Radha,not for romance, but for reckoning. In her presence, he sheds the divine mask and speaks of war, manipulation, and regret. Radha doesn’t worship him. She questions him. And Krishna, for once, answers honestly.
The book reframes familiar characters,Bhishma, Draupadi, Karna, Kunti not as icons, but as wounded souls. Krishna admits to bending truth, orchestrating deaths, and sacrificing innocence for strategy. It’s unsettling. But it’s also deeply human.
What moved me most was Radha’s role. She doesn’t seek closure. She seeks clarity. Her questions cut through Krishna’s silence, and in doing so, she becomes the only person who truly sees him.
This book isn’t for those seeking divine perfection. It’s for those willing to confront the emotional wreckage beneath epic glory. This reminds us that even gods must be questioned and sometimes, the most sacred act is simply to listen.
July 10, 2024
2 stars- 1 for the imagination of the author and the other for the language.
I didn't find the book to be worth spending in your time. It is too extreme showcasing most men as rapists and most women as wanting just sex.
The author seems confused at places. He starts by suggesting that all them were simple human beings and then adds super power to each.
In one chapter, he suggests that Draupdi was helpless and could not stop a Brahmin from participating in the swayamvar but in another chapter suggests that she had the authority to stop Karan from the participation in the same. Should have kept the same narrative throughout.
I didn't find the book to be worth spending in your time. It is too extreme showcasing most men as rapists and most women as wanting just sex.
The author seems confused at places. He starts by suggesting that all them were simple human beings and then adds super power to each.
In one chapter, he suggests that Draupdi was helpless and could not stop a Brahmin from participating in the swayamvar but in another chapter suggests that she had the authority to stop Karan from the participation in the same. Should have kept the same narrative throughout.
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