BOOK REVIEW: "Sacred Games" by Vikram Chandra

 

Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vikram Chandra, the 63-year-old Indian-American author, is renowned for his captivating and intricate storytelling. ‘Sacred Games’ is arguably his most famous novel, a sprawling epic that delves into the underbelly of Mumbai (formerly India’s Bombay), intertwining crime, politics, and spirituality. It has garnered critical acclaim and was adapted into a successful Netflix series.

This novel has received several prestigious awards, including in 2006, the Hutch Crossword Book Award, considered the Indian equivalent of the Booker Prize. The novel was honored with the Salon Book Award in 2007 while it was a finalist for the prestigious US literary award, the National Book Critics Circle Award. These awards recognize the novel's literary merit, its compelling narrative, and its exploration of complex themes.

'Sacred Games' is a sprawling and ambitious novel that explores the underbelly of Mumbai, intertwining crime, politics, and spirituality. Renowned for its sheer size and epic scope, encompassing a vast canvas of characters, storylines, and historical events, the story delves into the complexities of Mumbai's underworld, portraying the lives of gangsters, police officers, and ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire.

The novel features a rich cast of characters, each with their own motivations, flaws, and complexities. The protagonist, Inspector Sartaj Singh, is a conflicted figure grappling with his personal demons and the weight of his responsibilities. The antagonist, Ganesh Gaitonde, is a larger-than-life criminal mastermind who embodies the dark side of ambition.

Social commentary-wise 'Sacred Games' offers a scathing critique of Indian society, exposing the corruption, violence, and inequality that fester beneath the surface. It explores themes of power, religion, and the human condition, raising profound questions about morality and the nature of evil.

It’s a genre-bending narrative which seamlessly blends elements of crime fiction, historical fiction, and philosophical discourse. It draws inspiration from Bollywood films, Hindu mythology, and contemporary urban realities, creating a unique and captivating narrative experience.

Highly influential on popular culture, 'Sacred Games' has gained widespread acclaim and has been adapted into a successful Netflix series, further solidifying its status as a landmark work of Indian literature. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a multifaceted portrait of Mumbai and its people. Its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and insightful social commentary have earned it a place among the most celebrated works of contemporary Indian fiction.

Chandra's prose and writing style is a captivating blend of several elements: its rich and evocative language enacts vivid imagery and sensory details to paint a picture of Mumbai's vibrant and gritty underbelly. His descriptions of the city's sights, sounds, and smells immerse the reader in the novel's world.

With complex sentence structures, Chandra's sentences are often long and intricate, reflecting the complexity of the characters and the interwoven storylines. This style adds a layer of depth and nuance to the narrative.

Intertextuality-wise, the novel is filled with references to Bollywood films, Hindu mythology, and other literary works, creating a rich tapestry of cultural allusions. This intertextuality adds another layer of meaning and depth to the story.

Chandra masterfully shifts between the perspectives of different characters, allowing the reader to experience the events of the novel from multiple viewpoints. This technique provides a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Blending genres, the novel seamlessly merges elements of crime fiction, historical fiction, and philosophical discourse. This genre-bending approach keeps the reader engaged and constantly surprised.

Chandra's writing style is both powerful and versatile. His ability to craft intricate sentences, evoke vivid imagery, and seamlessly blend genres makes for a truly immersive and unforgettable reading experience.

Chandra's works, from ‘Red Earth and Pouring Rain’, ‘Love and Longing in Bombay’, and ‘Greek Sublime: The Beauty of Code, the Code of Beauty’ are characterized by his rich and evocative prose, complex characters, and intricate plotlines. He has established himself as a master storyteller, captivating readers with his unique blend of genres and insightful social commentary.

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