I picked this book up at the library because of the author. I haven't read any of his work before and I wanted to see what it was like. The book is based on real events in the 13-15th century in southern India. It tells the tale of the rise and fall of dynasties told through the life of Pampa Kampada. When we first meet her she is a young girl who has lost her mother and is possessed by a goddess. The goddess's gift is to have her live without aging for 250 years, during which she writes the story of the Bisnaga empire.
I struggle with books where I can't hear in my head the names of the characters because I don't know how to pronounce them, I lose track of their gender and their relationships. An annoying shortcoming on my part.
I followed the tale nonetheless and I feel I got a taste of the history of a part of the world I know little about. I initially tried to draw parallels to today's events but that was misguided. The book received praise however I wouldn't recommend it as I never felt connected to the characters or their stories. I did note a couple quotes below.
Quotes:
"Maybe this is what human history was: the brief illusion of happy victories set in a long continuum of bitter, disillusioning, defeats."
"... I will learn that the deepest meaning of love is renunciation, giving up one's own dream to fulfill the dream of the beloved."
Published: 2023 Read: September 2023 Genre: Historical Fiction
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