The Tantric Curse by Anupama Garg (Book Review- 4.5*/5) !!!

1439th BLOG POST -->>

       When I first picked up this book named "The Tantric Curse" and saw its cover page with those big scary eyes and then the word "tantric" designed in red font, I was quite skeptical if I would prefer reading this book but something urged me to give it a try. It took me 3 long weeks to complete this novel because of busy schedule but the power of each sentence, page and chapter of this book is so immense that even after I resumed it after 3 weeks just from where I left it last time, I was able to remember everything I had read within few minutes. It rarely happens with fiction books written by Indian authors these days. Almost all of them have similar plot which becomes confusing in case you take a long break while reading. I am very delighted to say that Anupama Garg have created a benchmark with this unusual book.

           The basic intention behind writing this book has been author's desire to let the world know that Tantra world is not what it is being assumed by the people. And it is more about mental peace, meditation, spiritualism and self-actualization. Right from the first page to the last, author's focus has not shifted to any unwanted or unrelated sub-plot which makes this story enough strong for a reader to always remember this book even after reading 1000s of novels. The writing style is great which makes the narration very powerful. Author haven't complicated things but kept it very simple and just concentrated of telling a story rather than pretending to be a literati. Even when the book is 270 pages thick, not a single sentence seems to be inserted without purpose. The story is up to the mark and soft twists and turns makes it more crisp.

          The character of protagonist, Rhea, is very powerful and delighting which holds you right from the beginning. Her feminism is used so beautifully by the author that I would say I have never read a book with such a strong female protagonist ever. Her interaction with all the other characters is so well handled that you can actually imagine her world. Satya, Krishnam and Dr. Vishnukant- all the other characters are also evolved skillfully. The characterization speaks a lot about author's potential. I liked how the tantra knowledge is departed through conversation between two characters. Also, the philosophical content in the book is nicely embedded which definitely leaves an impact on the reader's mind. This book is like a self-help genre in form of a fiction- what can be better than this? I give this novel 4.5 stars and rate it as one of the best books of this year.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!