Immortals Of Meluha Read-along:Week 3

Namaste Dear Read-a-long Readers, Welcome to the 3^rd week discussion post of Immortals Of Meluha.

This event is hosed by Ankita @Booklok Coffee , Sarika and Janhvi @ The Readdicts and off course me.

This discussion will be about chapter 15 to chapter 21 that is From “Trial by Fire” to “Preparation of War”

I am not as smart as Sarika, her discussion was very realistic,she focused on every characters and compared it with the originals with photos (Heads Off to her MAN!)or Ankita(amazing writing style).

So we will be discussing only on STORY & CHARECTERSTICTS. Which is again divided into questions.

So Lets Get Started!!!

1. What is the significance of the title? If you were the author what title you would give to the book ?

My Thoughts : I’ve really never given any thought on the word “ Immortal “ before reading the book , but i come to know about the significance of the title within 80 pages of the reading, In the chapter “ Tribe of Brahma “. The title is perfect but there is more to the title then it appears, If i were the author i would title this book as “ The Savoir of the Suryavanshis “

2. Has anything ever happened to you similar to what happened in the book? How did you react to it differently?

My Thoughts : Yes, i sometimes find myself staring at girls like shiva and also say stupid things when i am nervous,which can easily make a girl uncomfortable . AWKWARD!!!

Refer chapter 3 : She enters her life. For some notable quotes:

Oh hell!That came out all wrong.

O bloody hell! What am i saying?

I’m not going to impress her like this!

Shit what am i saying?!

Sometimes i just keep talking without realising what am i saying?

3. What surprised you the most about the book?

My Thoughts : Well, thats hard ! Even reading this book was surprising for me i never really thought i would read this book but i did. There are a couple of things that surprised me like Shiva’s first dance , but one scene in particular which surprised me the most was when sati was revealed as a VIKARMA,THE CARRIERS OF BAD FATE. I loved the way the scene was created : a short distance away on the main road,the procession of vikarma women walked silently on...At the centre of the procession, unseen by shiva with her head bowed low,draped in the blue angvastram that covered her from head to toe , her face a picture of resigned dignity ,trudged the forlorn of sati.

4. How important is the setting & time period to the story? How would it have played out differently in a different setting? What about a different time period?

My Thoughts : Well, In the story the time period did played an significant role. As the story was set in 1900 BC.

5. Were there any particular quotes that stood out to you? Why?

My Thoughts :Chapter 19 :Love Realised :“Life is long, And the road to Mount Mandar is short. You are not going to get rid of me that easily”

Chapter 19 :Love Realised: Shiva & Sati first night drama “ ‘The Neelkanth can do anything he wants.’ Oh Yes he can!” It was hilarious !!

And also the whole “THE SUN AND THE EARTH “ talk.

6.Which character could you relate to best and why? Talk about the secondary characters. Were they important to the story?

My Thoughts : There is not such character that i can particular relate to. But i did quite liked the way the author described the characters, i can actually picture each and every characters. I really liked Nandi and Brahaspati the sciencetist. No offence but i do not like Sati and sometimes shiva too.

7.How was the book structured?

My Thoughts : The book is very complex. The number of characters was not too much nor too less. It was very manageable to remember all the characters. The author can use any structural or narrative devices like flashbacks(except shiva’s dream about his past) or multiple voices in telling the story. I really think it would take the book to another level.

8.Lets talk about the author's use of language/writing style?

My Thoughts : As the story was set in 1900 B.C Language does play an imported part in the story. I author did not do justice with the language he used , sometime he uses the word like “Ayushman Bhav” and the next thing that know that he uses the word like “nonsense” or “oxidants” or that The language of Shiva was kind an issue for me. He uses Dammit! a lot.The language was almost appropriate to the story. it Was neither poetic nor vernacular.I think the author was fairly descriptive.

9. Lets talk about the plot?

My Thoughts : I like the way how the story pick up. The first 7 chapters focused mainly on the background of the story like Shiva, Sati, Lord Ram’s unfinished task ,Somras, Suryavanshi ,Chandravanshis & The NAGAS. And the next 7 chapters focused on Shiva & Sati Romance, journey through Meluha. And again next 7 chapters were mostly about WARS!! Can’t wait to read the next few chapters.

10.Finally, what else struck you about the book as good or bad? What did you like or dislike about it that we haven't discussed already?

My Thoughts : Oh Boy !! this could take a while.

While reading there were lot of moments when i laughed my ass off, Like when shiva dances for the first time, it was an element of surprise. Sword fighting of sati with the nagas. When shiva heard sati dancing his HAIRS stand up(i mean what was that).

Sometimes i feel that conversation were very predictable, but overall the story was easy to go through. It really bugs me out that shiva always keep saying that he just a normal person, how can he destroy the evil. I like the efforts made by your Highness(Daksha) to bring shiva and sati close. And off course the romance which make the story interesting . In chapter Sati & the fire arrow it irritated me so much when Shiva says it was Ayurvati who treated Sati, and Ayurvati says it was shiva who treated her(3-4 times they did continuously). FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IT WAS SOMRAS WHO TREATED HER AND NOT HIM NOR HER!!. Also the in Trial by Fire Sati knife fighting scene has been copied from a Chinese movie(i don’t remember the name).

11.Were you glad you read this book? Did this book make you want to read sequel?

My Thoughts : I guess YES!

12.One Last Funny Question ,If you could smack any of the characters upside the head, who would it be and why?

My Thoughts : Hmm.. Maybe the queen of THE NAGAS!!

I hope you enjoy my discussion. Don’t forget to check out Jhanvi post next week @The Readaddicts