Skip to content
ISSN NO. : 0970-4175 (Print)

 

Search

The Book Review, Monthly Review of Important BooksThe Book Review, Monthly Review of Important Books
The Book Review, Monthly Review of Important Books
  • HOME
  • THE BOOK REVIEW
    • ABOUT
    • FOUNDER TRUSTEES
    • THE JOURNAL
  • SUBSCRIPTIONS
    • PRINT & DIGITAL EDITION
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • ARCHIVES
    • Table of Contents
    • Reviews
  • MEDIA & EVENTS
    • EVENTS
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • HOME
  • THE BOOK REVIEW
    • ABOUT
    • FOUNDER TRUSTEES
    • THE JOURNAL
  • SUBSCRIPTIONS
    • PRINT & DIGITAL EDITION
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • ARCHIVES
    • Table of Contents
    • Reviews
  • MEDIA & EVENTS
    • EVENTS
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISEMENT

A Debut Novel: Between Two Eras

Review Details

Book Name: CHECKMATE
Author name: Nihshanka Debroy
Book Year: 2020
Book Price: 399.00
Reviewer name: Devangshu Datta
Volume No: 44
Publisher Name: Westland
Book Pages: 240

This debut novel offers a playful twist on the possible origins of chess. The narrative flips back and forth between the boardrooms of the 21st century and the battlefields of the 5th century. The protagonists are Ms Vinita Joshi, the CEO of two tech companies, and the warrior Harshavardhan, with the poet Kalidasa in a supporting role.

The fifth century action is set on the battlefields of central India during the Svetahuna invasions that the late Gupta monarch, Skandhagupta, had to tackle. Harshavardhan is captured during battle, and thus meets Kalidasa, who has also been captured. While in captivity, Harsha invents a version of chess, using pebbles to denote various forces and works out escape plans. He succeeds in escaping along with Kalidasa and then manages to rally a small force to fight the invaders.

Along the way, he suffers loss and heartbreak and he also learns to use his pebbles in a more sophisticated fashion to simulate battles before he has to fight them. After a series of adventures, Harshavardhan eventually disappears. His friend the great poet writes a haunting elegy for his mother, at his request.

In the 21st century, Vinita is pushing growth in the American company she founded, when she receives the news that her father, an aerospace tycoon, has passed away in an accident. She is estranged from her dad. But as his only child and heir, she returns to Delhi to pick up the reins at his company.

Please Login or Register to Read Entire Article !

Username:
Password:
Register
Lost your password?

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Glimpses of A Spectator’s JourneyNextNext post:A Tete-a-Tete with Past

Related posts

China’s Predicament
September 16, 2020
Seeking Answers to China’s Belligerence in the South China Seas
September 16, 2020
A Global Humanitarian Crisis Through the Eyes of a Child
September 16, 2020
From the Pen of a General
September 16, 2020
What it means to be a Kashmiri…
September 16, 2020
Tamil Political Culture Since 1985
September 16, 2020

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

clear formPost comment

Current Issue
  • Gandhi’s Tryst with Modernity April 5, 2021
  • How a Farman Gave an Inch and Lost a Mile April 5, 2021
Search in website

ABOUT US | DISCLAIMER | ADVERTISEMENT

All Right Reserved with The Book Review Literacy Trust | Powered by Digital Empowerment Foundation

FacebookTwitter