Book Review: The Rozabal Line by Ashwin Sanghi

I am not actually qualified enough or eligible to write a book review on this awesome and fiercely fast-paced novel which happens to be the first novel of Ashwin Sanghi who happens to be my current favourite. But I’d still give my opinions because in the end we read, we retrospect and we review!

So this one is a theological thriller and that is the only word I have borrowed from the back cover of the book. Sure. The Rozabal Line in my opinion is the Indian counterpart of like a combination of Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, haven’t read either of them though but well, their plots are famous.

The book has got one hell of a naturally twisted and efficiently executed plot which has got an effortless grip attached to it. The story is the ‘what if’ version of the theory that Jesus had lived in India and died here. It has got a lot of ancient theology and a lot of symbolism too which is a treat in itself. And by the way, enigmatic symbolism is the distinctive feature of all of his books. The characters are, I would say, sober. I am not a literature graduate so I can’t really analyse the characters and their psychology but their hidden motives are very well camouflaged and thus, each revelation comes as a perfectly executed shock.

One more thing, the book is intrinsically indocentric so ‘hating India is cool’ approach won’t make you enjoy the book to it’s fullest. The thriller, the pace, the suspense, the murder, the need to know what the hell is actually happening, is very prominent among the pages of the book which makes it, in every sense, a definite page-turner.

 Not to give spoilers, but emotions throughout the book: “What?” “Whaaaaaa whaa whatt?” “What the hell?!” “What.” “Okayyy but what!!!”. Period.

The ending is dramatic and unexpected. The ratio of unpredictability to predictability is 10:1. Legit.
By the way, the book is a little not-to-recent but because I read it recently, I gave it’s review a try. The line between fiction and non-fiction is really fine. What I would suggest is, instead of pondering over where non-fiction ends and fiction begins, enjoy the regular crossing of this line and rejoice in the thrill of imagination. Which is some serious business by the way. And this line is not that important for us readers according to me, what intrigues us is the beautifully woven imagination that uses the threads of historical and theological characters and situations!

That’s it from my side folks! The link to it’s trailer is at the end and also, if you like the first book, checkout his other books ( the ones that I have read) : The Krishna Key, Chanakya’s Chant and The Sialkot Saga, all of them equally gripping.

And don’t forget to get your copy ASAP!

Book Details:-        

Author:	Ashwin Sanghi
Publisher:	Westland	Publishing Year:	2013
ISBN-13:	9789381626825	ISBN-10:	9381626820
Cover:	Paperback	No. Of Pages:	384
MRP:	Rs 295	Buy From:	Flipkart.com Amazon.in

Written By Aayushi Shah

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!