Book review - Cuckold

Reading Cuckold after “The Immortals of Meluha” was not a conscious decision. I was looking for Cuckold from many years and incidentally when I went to pick up the “The Secret of Nagas” I spotted “Cuckold” in the same shelf of the library. I just grabbed the book with no second thought. Cuckold made me realize the difference between the writer and the author. Cuckold is a brilliant piece of work by Kiran Nagarkar. As the pages unfold we go eager and deeper in the Rajput Prince Maharaj Kumar’s life. The novel is written in two persons.When Maharaj kumar is alone the novel is in first person. When Maharaj Kumar’s wife and great saint Meerabai is around the novel takes the third person view. The beauty of the novel lies in the simplicity and the scene writings of Author. Written with the strong command over language this incredible story gives you the flavour of everything that could have existed in 16^th Century, the palace life, eunuchs, Rajput wars, political Intrigues,etc. Though there are historical, powerful and important character like Meerabai, author has not taken away the focus from Maharaj Kumar.

Cuckold literally means someone with unfaithful wife. Ahhhh! I suddenly sense your rising interest in the book. Sorry to disappoint your perverted self, but it’s a story of a husband who’s young, beautiful wife has given her heart, soul and life to the Hindu God Krishna. The political scenario, people and their portrayal is also strong enough to believe the characters.

This book is fantastical, gritty, edgy, thrilling, hilarious, enlightening and heartbreaking all at once. I highly recommend it.