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Book Review: The Conquest of Kailash by Inderjeet Mani

The Conquest of Kailash is quite a captivating story of Ali Akbar, the protagonist, from Benares. Right since the beginning of the novel Ali is confused about ideologies, dogmatism, and beliefs that one should adopt to live in this world. He hailed from a good rich family, his father a reputed professor. Well, when Ali studies under the aegis of Hans, an escaped German professor…he begins exploring ideologies of sexual allegiance, love, redemption, and so on.


The author exhibits his prowess of narrative and knowledge of cultures laced with historical ideologies seeded in Greece, Wild Western culture, Indian subcontinent…and a few more.

As you read the intriguing story of Ali, you will be confounded by his calling. Ali was naïve, with a malleable heart. However, soon under the influence of Hans, he was exploited sexually, thus turns closeted gay for lifetime. Hans’ recommendation of eromenos…the philosophy of lover, teacher, and mentor (all in one) attracted him. Hans and Ali develop intimacy.

The novel isn’t straight as one could finish it one sitting. Much part of the storyline chugs ahead with Ali cogitating about his past life’s mistakes and gay relationship with Hans. The influence of Hans not only haunted him all his life but he also got into moral dilemma of dogmatism. May be due to that he remained like a settled homeless! Away from his family, and parents…he struggled to confess before his daughter Homa…and his expulsion  from colleges and jobs…and the final blow was when Helen, his wife whom he married in England, runs away to become a Buddhist nun.

The book is segmented in four segments. Mani balances the pace of the story and nibs of subplots by shuttling sweeps and back stories with an exquisite élan. A close look into Ali’s life highlights the void created by accepting false beliefs and philosophies. His life story is not an inspiration but a concern of heartbreak. Not only this, when he comes back to India, to his hometown, he was beaten by religious fanatics and surprisingly that party was ran by one of his known persons…Shanti. Emotional turmoil is persistent in the story.

Well, I was attracted by his passion to find his wife Helen…the urge to win back love was something extra about him. A man travels extensively either only to find his true calling or love…and the lanky Ali Akbar did both. The plotline of the story traverses across various continents and countries, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural values and shocks…and that route to Ashram through Khatima to Pithoragarh was my personal route. I had been on that route many a time…relatable.

Ali and other characters remain shrouded in subtle hues, exploring and maneuvering life as per their dogmatism and imposed philosophies but little did they know that not all is under their control. Isn’t it? The author exhibits intensely good plot control weaving back and forth between each of the subplots. But what took it to the next level for me was the amount of detail included for every travelogue. Overall it’s a magnificent story-telling roping history, travelogue, fiction, literature, and philosophy in one.

The novel can be purchased from Amazon.

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