Book Review: Bimbisar's Curse
Book Name: Bimbisar’s Curse
Author: Tanushree Poddar
Publisher: Rupa Publishers
Genre: Myths, Legends and Sagas / Historical Fiction
Bimbisar’s Curse by Tanushree Poddar is a historical fiction that explores multi-generational family epic from ancient India.
Review
Bimbisar's curse is a tale from ancient India. As the name suggests, this story is about Bimbisar's life and the curse he received on his journey of expanding his kingdom. It begins with Bimbisar's days in the dungeon, which eventually led to the curse coming to reality at the end. While reading the book, the plot would take the reader from the present to the past and circle back to the present state of Bimbisar in the dungeon. The golden age of the Magadh empire, when Bimbisar became the ruler who followed matrimonial alliances to expand his kingdom, saving his power and strength to take revenge on his father's embarrassment. This story will take the reader on a ride from one son who fought for his father to the sons becoming the reason for their father's death, the curse befalling Bimbisar, and his upcoming generation.
The characters are well-portrayed with immense emotions, struggles, and challenges faced in their lifetime. From vulnerabilities to triumph, the characters appear as the source of truth, the way they are portrayed in this book. Bimbisar represents the ruler who lived with the motive of expanding his kingdom by marrying the daughter of a powerful kingdom. Until he handed over his empire to his son Ajatashatru, he won multiple battles and took revenge for his father's defeat and downfall. His first wife, who was in the position of Rajmata, was well-versed in her wise counsel, helping Bimbisar take some tough decisions that resulted in a strong alliance and the expansion of the kingdom. She portrayed an intelligent and strong-witted woman who knew her role in the kingdom would inspire many readers on how to take charge of their knowledge and use it wisely. Though the characters are from real life in ancient India, they appear quite relatable in today's time, like Ajatashatru, a man who was blinded by luxury and did not think about his father's well-being, Bimbisar's second queen, who was driven by her whims, and many other such characters from the book will allow readers to reflect themselves or someone they know.
The author's writing style is gripping and intense as she dived into the lives of the rulers from Bimbisar to his sons. The imagery is vivid and will allow readers to delve into the world of rulers and the rich empires of kings and their prosperous lifestyles. From forest scenes to hunting and battles, it would feel as if you were watching it on screen. It feels so real. The emotions from condemnation to love are represented in depth. The author did well in illustrating the rulers’ dignity and their raw human vulnerabilities in their quest for power.
This book is for someone who is new to historical fiction and for everyone who enjoys reading about Indian history in the form of fiction because, as the author mentioned in the book, "Historians and archaeologists have relentlessly tried to uncover the mysteries of ancient times through excavations, and by deciphering cave inscriptions, analyzing folklore, and studying ancient coins. However, a vast body of untapped knowledge still remains to be discovered." It is where fiction helps readers to live in the stories of the past that are unknown.
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