By Sagar Kamath
Review By Ila Garg
Chronux, a novel by Sagar Kamath, is published by BecomeShakespeare.com. The cover seems quite unusual at first glance! It looks like a horror book. But if you look closely, you will see the clock hand and if you are a visionary like me, you would be able to actually visualize the clock in the backdrop. Anyway, as you will go on reading the book, the cover will start making sense by and by.
Sagar Kamath teaches History and International Affairs at Symbiosis International University. With a Masters in History and Philosophy and over 9 years of experience in the teaching sector, he has lectured extensively on subjects ranging from global history to modern day geopolitics and specializes in issues of religion and politics. An avid storyteller, he has spent years researching humanity’s intricate interplay with the natural world, and believes that events like World War II serve to highlight the best and the worst, we as a species are capable of. In his free time, Sagar loves to explore ‘off-the-beaten-track’ locales that have a sense of mystique about them.
The blurb reads as, “During our more 'Philosophical' moments...we have all wondered about 'Time'...its true nature...and its impact on us! But what if?...'Time'...had similar concerns...about us? For the people of Aruhu, a tiny Himalayan village, deep in India's ancient past, what begins as a visitation by a mysterious entity, quickly morphs into an inescapable trap...one that has left its imprint on all of human history...and the future! This is a trap that has seduced hundreds through its lure of absolute power, including the Nazis...who mount an epic expedition to unearth the source of God's power on Earth...only to discover that the cost of absolute power...is also absolute! This is the story 'Time' wants to tell us...this is the story of Chronux!”
With time as protagonist, Chronux is a well-thought book by Sagar Kamath. First, he personified time and then used its power to define the past, present and future and go into the dynamics of time to come up with a story that is gripping and at the same time thrilling. It’s a blend of science fiction, history, philosophy, mythology, adventure, mystery, deception and horror. Sagar has put in a lot of research to integrate such a wide range of genres in one book. And he has done a good job at it.
Time is the central character in the book and it manipulates the entire story as per its will. The graphic descriptions of locations and events is interesting and making the reading process absorbing.
The story opens in the year 3067 BCE in a small village, Aruhu, which is loacted at the foothills of the Himalayas. Then moves to Germany, Hiroshima Nagasaki, etc. Through the narrations of bomb blasts and other tragedies, it keeps changing the locales and events, thus, moves at a fast pace. It is captivating as so many things happen in the story that you will find yourself totally engrossed.
The language is simple and easy to comprehend. Its lucidity despite the huge time gaps makes it a good read. I found the subject quite engaging. There was a newness in the plot and the thought of keeping time as the central character is simply amazing and worked in favour of the story! The subject is tackled in detail by the author.
How time is personified, how time uses its power to manipulate events through the history, how the destruction and construction happen are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Chronux. I just felt the cover could have been more appealing as the story deserved a better representation.
Further, this 462-page book is a gripping narrative and can be a good travelling companion.
Ratings: 4/5
Buying Link: Amazon
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