I picked up the book when I was visiting a friend at IIT.
And I stayed overnight just to finish the book.
I possibly have a soft corner for Sashi Tharoor since we share the
same alma-mater.
The plot of the novel is ’incredible’.
The way he relates Mahabharat and contemporary politics is great.
The analogies and the interwining of both epics (I consider Indian politics to be one great epic) was brilliant.
Also in my opinion Tharoor tries ( and succeeds for the most part ) in giving an impartial
and unbiased account of pre-independence politics.
The potrayl of Gangaji (Gandhiji) was realistic more so in the way he felt betrayed by his own disciples.
Then he also raises the question of what would have been the outcome if Netaji was allowed to play a more active role in the key period of 30’s.
It also potrays Draupadi as the soul of India itself beging trampled on by the politicians of the likes of Duryodhan and his associates.
And the end shows how the modern day politician gets away with anything.