Book Review- The mystery of the elephant god

I recently started rereading “The Adventures of Feluda” series by the ingenious writer Satyajit ray. Of all the books in the series, the one I adore the most is ‘The mystery of the elephant god.’ Because it is the first Feluda book I had read and the one that got me hooked to the series.

The adventure is set in Varanasi (Benaras). Feluda (Pradosh C. Mitter), his cousin Topshe and their friend Lalmohan Ganguli(Who writes under the pseudonym ‘Jatayu’) visit Varanasi to enjoy the sights of Durga puja and immersion and also to go to the various temples, etc. in the city. But adventure follows Feluda everywhere he goes and this is no different. Within the second day of being in Varanasi, Feluda is asked to investigate a crime. When he is asked to investigate the theft of a statuette from the Ghoshal household, Feluda finds himself pitted against the most dangerous man in Varanasi. The idol was stolen when Mr Ghoshal, along with his wife and son had gone to visit the mysterious Machchli baba. But there is a twist. No one had come to the house in the duration of Mr Ghoshal’s absence from the house. That fosters the notion that the thief was an insider. But who? All the people in the house ( i.e. the servants) have been with the family from a very long time.

As the case proceeds, the three of them encounter a stabbing of an old man, a mysterious child and death threats.Despite all the diversions, hindrances and complications thrown in his way, Feluda works against all odds to reach the solution before it’s too late Throughout the book, the reader is enraptured by the same questions,” What will Feluda do? Will this prove to be too much for him too?”

Satyajit Ray is a genius and he just reinforces this point with this book. The descriptions are so detailed that we actually feel that we are present in Varanasi alongside them (although as silent spectators). The writing is fluid, simple and impactful. We feel anxious when they seem to be cornered and relieved when it seems that Feluda has got the result. The writer has a style that is classic and evergreen.

This book is a MUST READ irrespective of your age or gender.

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