--- product_id: 256323810 title: "The Great Indian Novel" price: "$61.36" currency: USD in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.ec/products/256323810-the-great-indian-novel store_origin: EC region: Ecuador --- # Blends myth & modern politics 600 pages of rich satire Durable, defect-free packaging The Great Indian Novel **Price:** $61.36 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the mythic saga of India’s past and present — don’t just read history, live it! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Great Indian Novel - **How much does it cost?** $61.36 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ec](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/256323810-the-great-indian-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Myth Meets Modernity:** Experience a unique fusion of The Mahabharata with 20th-century Indian history and politics. - • **Collector’s Quality:** Comes in pristine condition with secure packaging for long-lasting enjoyment. - • **Satire with Substance:** A witty, sharp critique of political and social realities wrapped in humor and empathy. - • **Epic Length, Epic Impact:** Dive into 600 pages of masterful storytelling that keeps you hooked. - • **Cultural & Intellectual Edge:** Perfect for professionals craving depth, history, and a fresh narrative perspective. ## Overview The Great Indian Novel is a 600-page satirical masterpiece by Shashi Tharoor that reimagines the Indian epic Mahabharata as a lens on 20th-century Indian politics and history. Praised for its witty prose, empathetic characterizations, and unique blend of mythology with modern political narrative, this book is a must-have for readers seeking intellectual depth and cultural insight. Packaged defect-free for durability, it ranks highly in political fiction and mythology categories. ## Description The Great Indian Novel Review: Masterpiece of satire - I finished the book recently, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, which is saying a lot because my paperback edition is around 600 pages. I wouldn't consider the book a "literary" work, and I'm not sure what genre it can be categorized under (historical fiction?), but it's certainly a one-of-a-kind book, and a masterpiece. The concept behind the book is ingenious. Tharoor uses the great Indian epic, The Mahabharata, as the ground for writing a book on 20th-century Indian history and politics, like a Greek writer using The Illiad as the basis for a novel on modern Greek politics. The importance of that is two-fold: It shows the continuing relevance of this ancient epic in modern times, and it places the history of Indian independence and modern India within a mythic framework, like a continuation of the mythical history of India. The narrator is the original storyteller of the mighty Mahabharata, Vyasa, and, of course, his scribe is a representation of the original scribe, the deity Ganesha. Tharoor weaves the story of the great, mythic Indian struggle for freedom from the largest, most powerful empire in the history of mankind using characters from The Mahabharata to represent independence leaders and modern leaders (you can easily pick out Indira Gandhi). I thought the blending of historical and mythical events to be a really original conception for a novel. The characters are fleshed out well, and Tharoor shows his knowledge of Indian politics and the motivations and flaws of the people enmeshed in it. I also appreciated his empathetic characterizations of the poorer and more downtrodden in Indian society. The book was a masterpiece of satire and wit, and I liked Tharoor's prose style, particularly his penchant for alliteration. For a long novel, the story was well-paced and not difficult to read through. In fact, it moved pretty fast for me. I loved the ending (so Indian or Hindu). Perfect. Personal note: I enjoyed the fact that Tharoor made the character who represented Krishna a Malayali, just like Tharoor is and just like I am. Cool. Review: Esotismo intellgente - Un capolavoro letterario poco o nulla conosciuto in Italia. Per apprezzarlo al meglio occorre però conoscere qualcosa sulla storia e i miti dell'India ## Features - Physical Condition: No Defects - It comes in a proper packaging. - It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #75,348 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #195 in Political Fiction #499 in Mythology & Folk Tales #898 in Humorous Fiction | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 744 Reviews | ## Images ![The Great Indian Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Lfw-skUsL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Masterpiece of satire *by S***N on 28 May 2023* I finished the book recently, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, which is saying a lot because my paperback edition is around 600 pages. I wouldn't consider the book a "literary" work, and I'm not sure what genre it can be categorized under (historical fiction?), but it's certainly a one-of-a-kind book, and a masterpiece. The concept behind the book is ingenious. Tharoor uses the great Indian epic, The Mahabharata, as the ground for writing a book on 20th-century Indian history and politics, like a Greek writer using The Illiad as the basis for a novel on modern Greek politics. The importance of that is two-fold: It shows the continuing relevance of this ancient epic in modern times, and it places the history of Indian independence and modern India within a mythic framework, like a continuation of the mythical history of India. The narrator is the original storyteller of the mighty Mahabharata, Vyasa, and, of course, his scribe is a representation of the original scribe, the deity Ganesha. Tharoor weaves the story of the great, mythic Indian struggle for freedom from the largest, most powerful empire in the history of mankind using characters from The Mahabharata to represent independence leaders and modern leaders (you can easily pick out Indira Gandhi). I thought the blending of historical and mythical events to be a really original conception for a novel. The characters are fleshed out well, and Tharoor shows his knowledge of Indian politics and the motivations and flaws of the people enmeshed in it. I also appreciated his empathetic characterizations of the poorer and more downtrodden in Indian society. The book was a masterpiece of satire and wit, and I liked Tharoor's prose style, particularly his penchant for alliteration. For a long novel, the story was well-paced and not difficult to read through. In fact, it moved pretty fast for me. I loved the ending (so Indian or Hindu). Perfect. Personal note: I enjoyed the fact that Tharoor made the character who represented Krishna a Malayali, just like Tharoor is and just like I am. Cool. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Esotismo intellgente *by C***A on 8 November 2014* Un capolavoro letterario poco o nulla conosciuto in Italia. Per apprezzarlo al meglio occorre però conoscere qualcosa sulla storia e i miti dell'India ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An excellent read *by B***N on 25 January 2019* Oned of the most interesting and amusing books I've read. Had to read it a second I enjoyed it so much. ## Frequently Bought Together - Great Indian Novel - The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity - India After Gandhi Revised and Updated Edition: The History of the World's Largest Democracy --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ec/products/256323810-the-great-indian-novel](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/256323810-the-great-indian-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart Ecuador* *Store origin: EC* *Last updated: 2026-07-18*